Title
Supervisor Parlin recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived by reimbursing the Georgetown Gas N Go for gasoline and supplies used by the community’s volunteers during the weeks following the December 26, 2021 snow storm; and
2) Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to reimburse the Georgetown Gas N Go for $4,409.87 as itemized in the attached itemization.
FUNDING: General Fund/Donation from the El Dorado Community Foundation.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The December 26, 2021 snowstorm was severe and caused downed trees and power lines throughout the Georgetown Divide area. The extraordinary amount of damage caused by the snowstorm left many residents homebound and without electricity for up to 2 weeks. This was especially challenging for elderly and medically vulnerable residents who were not able to dig out of the snow to get much needed supplies, such as food, medical supplies, and gasoline for their generators to stay warm. Community members began to organize themselves to help those in need. The owner of the Georgetown Gas N Go stepped up to assist the volunteers with expenses so that they could focus on taking care of community members and not be burdened by mounting expenses. However, the length of time and amount of expenses incurred to assist vulnerable residents were unforeseen as the Georgetown Divide has not had such devastation from a snowstorm since the 1980s.
The attached Georgetown Gazette article encapsulates the extraordinary efforts by the community volunteers, now known as the Georgetown Unsung Heroes.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decide not to reimburse the Gas N Go for the expenses incurred to support the community volunteers during the aftermath of the December 26, 2021 snowstorm. This would result in a local business bearing an unanticipated burden to provide life saving support to community members.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
22-0084 - 1/4/22: The Board adopted Resolution 013-2022 ratifying the l...
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