City approves Hazard Mitigation Plan
News August 4, 2021
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland City Council approved a resolution to set the millage rate at 5.918 Monday followed by unanimous approval of the multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented by White County Public Safety director David Murphy.
The plan represents a commitment by the County and the cities of Cleveland and Helen to disaster preparedness and establishes a vision for reducing hazard risks and proposing specific action to reduce identified vulnerabilities.
“This has been going on for two years,” Murphy said. “City staff has been involved in the process. We’ve had representatives from the County, the City of Cleveland, and the City of Helen. The multi-jurisdictional plan has now been sent to FEMA for final review and approval. Part of the process to get final approval from FEMA is to have all the jurisdictions that are affected to adopt the plan.”
The County held a public information meeting on May 18 at the County Commission meeting room to allow the public an opportunity to review the plan and provide comments and suggestions.
Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker said his department had a very busy June. His department reported 2,346 incidents, including 850 premise checks, 694 public assists, 23 vehicle accidents, 105 investigative reports and 115 traffic citations.
Shoemaker asked for and received Council approval to declare as surplus three police vehicles that are no longer in service. He also received unanimous approval to purchase one Dodge Durango patrol vehicle from Jacky Jones Ford in the amount of $34,184.
Council gave first consideration to a draft ordinance that would permit short-term rentals within the city. Councilwoman Rebecca Yardley expressed concern about permitting process lacking an opportunity for the public to speak in favor of or in opposition to the application and the need for a new site inspection if the home is sold.
The proposed ordinance will come back before council at a future meeting.
Public Safety Director Murphy presents Hazard Mitigation Plan
News May 20, 2021
EMA Director David Murphy
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – Public Safety Director David Murphy presented the 2021 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update developed by Emergency Management Tuesday in the Board of Commission Chambers at the County Administration Building.
The plan establishes a vision and guiding principles for reducing hazard risk, and proposes specific mitigation actions to eliminate or reduce identified vulnerabilities. Without the plan, the cities and counties are not eligible for pre- and post-disaster funding from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
“This is a process we go through every five years,” Murphy said. “We’re required by FEMA to have a hazard mitigation plan in place for the community.” The community includes the White County, unincorporated areas, Sautee Nacoochee, the City of Helen and the City of Cleveland. All communities are represented on the planning committee
Murphy provided a Hazard Risk Analyses Supplement to the plan that was prepared by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia that is available on the county website at Whitecounty.net.
“We always look at protecting life and property in everything we do, and in every plan we write for our communities.” he said. “That’s our No. 1 goal.” The plan attempts to reduce the long-term risk of damage to the quality of life, environment and economy through implementation of effective risk- reduction measures.
Once the plan is finalized, it goes to FEMA for approval and then must be approved by the City of Helen, City of Cleveland and White County. That approval process makes them eligible to receive pre-disaster grants to purchase things like outdoor warning sirens, emergency notification systems, safe shelters, flood mitigation and property. “It also puts us in a position where we can receive post-disaster funding,” Murphy said.
White County is currenty working on two disaster declarations. Hurricane Zeta cost the county about $160,000 in response and the thunderstorms that blew through at the end of March cost about $130,000.Without an approved plan in place, the County would not be eligible to receive federal funding for those events.