CERES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-f' i'. Y7 p j CITY OF NICHOLS HILLS February 18,2008 Thomas D.Trina,Sr. Project Manager Ceres Environmental Services,Inc. • 5590 Broadcast Court Sarasota,Florida 34240 Re: Letter of Commendation for Severe Winter Storm Response Operations Dear Mr.Trina: Now that the City of Nichols Hills has completed its interaction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA)regarding reimbursement of eligible damage costs resulting from the December 10-11,2007 ice storm,I am compelled to offer this letter of commendation to you, the other Ceres staff members assisting you,and the team of subcontractors you brought to our aid. The ice storms caused significant damage to the majority of the tree canopy throughout Nichols Hills,both that in the public rights-of-way and that on private property.When you first visited with me,I thought that I had contracted for enough debris removal personnel and equipment to complete the clean-up within a timeframe acceptable to the executive staff,and citizens,in the City. Once I realized that this was not the case,and I asked Ceres to assist,you immediately mobilized the proper number and proper make-up of equipment necessary to meet the goal established. This reflected well upon the Department of Public Works, and the entire City of Nichols Hills organization. Perhaps even more important than a timely,coordinated response to the debris removal challenge was the expertise, education, and presentation of the audit quality documentation that FEMA requires for maximum reimbursement of eligible costs that Ceres provided.The Final Report that you submitted to me captured,documented,and memorialized the entire process in a manner that impressed even our FEMA Public Assistance Coordinator.He stated that,"If only more of the reimbursement applicants would prepare their data in the manner in which you(Nichols hills) did,my job would be much easier,and checks would be sent to applicants much faster". On behalf lithe City of Nichols Hills,Oklahoma Department of Public Works,I commend Ceres for all the efforts put forth in assisting us in our time of need. While I hope to never again require your services, should that occur, I would eagerly invite your involvement in future disaster response and recovery operations. Please feel free to use my name as a positive reference for future work with other local government agencies across the nation. Most Sincerely, Charles Hooper,Director Town Hall 0 6407 Avondale Drive 0 Nichols Hills,Oklahoma 73116-6481 0 405/843-6637,Fax 405/842-8409 �r Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. Page 6-22