Hiram is seeking reimbursement from FEMA for damages from the flooding last month.

Police Chief Johnny Shirley updated the City Council on efforts for reimbursement during the Oct. 6 meeting.

“We are seeking reimbursement for overtime hours worked by the Police Department, for public works and for extra hours equipment had to be used,” said Shirley. “We have 60 days to file for damages.”

“There was a situation in the park where we had not completed the work but we had damage to the park,” said Mayor Carmen Rollins. “We are now working with FEMA and GEMA on this issue.”

Shirley also said that FEMA would reimburse the city for damages to two police cars that is not covered by insurance. “We will be receiving about $30,000 for the two cars,” he said.

The council unanimously approved the purchase of the two new vehicles to replace the two damaged in the flood and also approved the purchase of two additional cars to be purchased with SPLOST funds.

According to Shirley, the cars will be purchased under the state contract and will cost the city about $44,059 yearly to lease the four cars for three years. The city will then pay a dollar for each car at the end of the lease.

The council unanimously approved four other agenda items.

The mayor was authorized to enter into a contractual agreement with Croft and Associates in the amount of $13,900 for the design, construction documents and construction administration associated with moving the Hiram Police Department into the Hiram Community Center.

“We received quotes from three vendors, and Croft and Associates had the low bid,” said Shirley.

“We have gotten a lot of calls about the community center and we are looking for other possible locations to be used on a temporary basis,” said the mayor, adding that the city rented the center 229 times last year.

The mayor was authorized to enter into an agreement with Fox Environmental for a Phase II Stormwater EPD inspection contract for an amount not to exceed $29,925. “This is basically our annual contract with Fox,” said Rollins.

“We should try to get the state to pay for stormwater repairs needed on state road 92 and on U.S. 278,” said Councilman Charles Schafer.

“We have to do the inspections, and basically it is an unfunded mandate,” said Rollins.

In response to a question from Councilman Vince Smith about how much was spent on the agreement last year, Rollins replied, “it was just over $20,000 but is higher this year because the system has to be mapped.”

The mayor was authorized to enter into an agreement with Civic Plus to build and maintain a new city Web site for a three-year period at a cost not to exceed $25,000.

“We had tried to work with a company recommended by the county, but it just did not work,” said Jill Head, who presented the plan to the council. “If we stay with them four years they will update the Web site for no charge.”

Head also explained that the Web site must be ADA compliant and meet all federal and state guidelines in being accessible to everyone. “The company recommended by the county was not aware of these guidelines,” she said.

“This company has figured out what cities need and how to make it more effective,” said Rollins.

An application for a new alcohol beverage license for Rochelle Marie Sizemore was approved for R&R Seafood Oyster Bar at 1817 Hiram Douglasville Highway. “They already had a license in another location, but when they moved a new license was needed,” explained Shirley.

After returning from executive session to discuss personnel issues, the council gave the mayor permission to hire an administrative assistant. The approval also amended the budget to include $40,000 to cover the cost of the position.

One resident addressed the council for assistance in her subdivision. Juanita Neal requested that the city install more storm drains in her subdivision to reduce flooding in the future.

“The city has done some stormwater repairs there, but maybe more needs to be done,” said Rollins. “We have applied for some FEMA funds and perhaps some of those can be used.”

“That area has been a problem for a long time and we might want to look at doing some additional grading to help carry water from the area,” said Schafer.