Upper Arlington's Financial Policies Committee will convene for the first time since the Aug. 11 derecho when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road.
The session follows immediately after that evening's City Council meeting, according to the city's online calendar.
No agenda had been posted as of Aug. 14. The meeting comes as Upper Arlington continues to absorb the aftermath of a storm that triggered a governor's disaster declaration, damaged 75 homes and generated approximately 225 police and fire calls for service.
Storm damage in context
The Aug. 11 derecho brought straight-line winds of 90 to 100 mph, according to a National Weather Service survey. The worst damage concentrated near Upper Arlington High School along Mount Holyoke Road, Wellesley Drive, Halstead Road, Pickwick Drive and North Star Road.
A city spokesperson told NBC4 that 75 homes sustained tree damage. Police and fire crews responded to approximately 225 calls for service, and no injuries were reported, according to ABC6. A police cruiser was struck by a falling tree during the storm.
Gov. Mike DeWine amended a state of emergency declaration on Aug. 13 adding Franklin County, WOSU reported. That designation can open the door to state and federal reimbursement for local emergency costs.
The city deployed crews, contractors and mutual aid from Westerville's Electric Division to clear downed trees street by street and restore power. Upper Arlington also launched a one-pass curbside chipping program for storm debris. Upper Arlington Schools delayed the start of the school year by five days because of the damage.
What's not yet known
The city has not released a dollar estimate for its emergency response, overtime, debris removal or equipment costs. Whether storm-related fiscal items will appear on the committee's Aug. 24 agenda remains unclear without a posted agenda.
"The city was out here right away, and AEP has been here fast, and it's been pretty awesome," Upper Arlington resident Michael Shonk told ABC6 on Aug. 11, describing the emergency response. "So to get this cleared up as fast as they did was pretty remarkable."
The Financial Policies Committee meets in the Council Committee Room at 3600 Tremont Road. Residents can check the city's online calendar for a posted agenda ahead of the Aug. 24 session.
