Mendota Heights Could Receive Disaster State Aid through Special Session

Dakota County will be eligible to receive funding approved in an anticipated special session to address storm damage in the state, according to Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Kris Eide.

A special session has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24.

The county's eligibility was confirmed through a question posed to Eide by Rep. Rick Hansen (D-South St. Paul) during a disaster relief work group hearing Aug. 6.

In early July, 13 Minnesota counties were declared eligible for federal disaster relief aid after storms and severe flooding hit parts of the state including Duluth.

A strong storm June 22 caused widespread and in Dakota County.

The county incurred about $150 million in damages, according to media reports. 

The most recent estimate of costs incurred in Mendota Heights hovers just around $100,000 according to Public Works Director John Mazzitello.

 “While the terrible damage in Duluth and Northern Minnesota warrants most of the attention, I’m going to do all I can to ensure that folks in my district receive the aid they need as well,” said Hansen in a statement.

Typically, municipalities that receive FEMA funds pay a 25 percent “match.” In past cases, state aid has been approved to pay that match, said Hansen, and can be used for things such as overtime pay.

He said estimates for Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul indicate that each city has incurred $100,000-$200,000 in cost related to storm response and cleanup.

Republicans have balked at the size of a $190 million proposed flood relief and storm damage bill, according to a report by the Pioneer Press.  A special session will likely not be called until a spending package is agreed upon.

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