SAN FERNANDO : City Eligible for Added Quake Aid

News of an additional $908,000 in federal earthquake recovery aid for the city of San Fernando has sent officials scrambling to meet a deadline only two weeks away.

“I think this is the type of thing that can put San Fernando back on its feet,” City Administrator Mary Strenn said. “The most important thing is we get it out into the community as quickly as possible.”

City officials learned late last week that the city was eligible for supplemental Community Development Block grant funds available through the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

But the city was given a June 16 deadline by which officials must draw up and submit a list of projects for which the money would be used.

“These funds are very targeted,” Strenn said, explaining that the money can only be used for earthquake relief not covered by aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Small Business Administration.

For example, city officials might want to use the money to make repairs on Truman Street, which suffered damage while being used as a detour during the earthquake recovery.

“I think we would like to see if it is possible and, by possible, I mean something that is not too complex or cumbersome, to see if there (is) bridge or gap financing available for businesses in the community,” Strenn said.

She suggested that some of the money might be used to help businesses that were turned down for SBA loans. However, city officials do not yet know what the rules are for applying for the federal money or what projects are eligible.

City officials will attend a county-run training session on how to apply for the funds Thursday.

On Monday night, the City Council approved the hiring of a consultant--at no more than $10,000--who would help with the application process.

So far, the city has received about $600,000 in federal earthquake aid of the $9 million promised. This is in addition to the $908,000 city officials learned of last week.

The amount came as something of a surprise to the city. “We are quite pleased with the allocation,” Strenn said.