Pelham commits $1.1m local match for $4.39m Bishop Creek flood buyouts
City of Pelham, Alabama · Meeting date: November 2, 2026 · Published: November 3, 2026
Pelham City Council has authorised state sub-recipient agreements for FEMA-backed acquisitions of 14 properties under the Bishop Creek Drainage Improvements programme. The approval establishes the city’s funding commitment and authorises Mayor Rick Wash to administer the three awards.
Key points
- The three FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance subawards total $4,392,744, including $3,294,558 in federal funding and a $1,098,186 Pelham contribution budgeted for FY2027.
- The approved buyouts cover 10 Cahaba Valley Estates properties, two Oak Mountain Estates properties and two Chandalar South properties.
- The largest award, for Cahaba Valley Estates, totals $3,103,235; Oak Mountain Estates is allocated $601,589 and Chandalar South $687,920.
- The agreements require work to begin within 90 days of award approval and set a July 19, 2029 completion date unless extended.
Full report
Pelham City Council has moved its Bishop Creek flood-mitigation programme into implementation, approving agreements to acquire 14 properties through three FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance awards worth a combined $4.39 million.
The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-11-02-06 on November 2, authorising agreements with the State of Alabama for buyouts in Cahaba Valley Estates, Oak Mountain Estates and Chandalar South. The action also commits $1.10 million in local FY2027 funding, with FEMA providing $3.29 million of the programme total.
Mayor Rick Wash was designated as Pelham’s local agent and authorised to execute documents and administer the awards.
Cahaba Valley Estates accounts for the bulk of the programme. Its award totals $3,103,235, including a $2,327,426.25 federal share and $775,808.75 local share, for 10 properties on Crosscreek Trail and Frontier Drive. The approved locations are 704 and 716 Crosscreek Trail, plus 817, 901, 905, 909, 917, 921, 925 and 932 Frontier Drive.
The Oak Mountain Estates award totals $601,589, with $451,191.75 in federal funds and a $150,397.25 city contribution. It covers 549 and 629 Creekview Drive.
A third award, valued at $687,920, covers 1913 Chandaway Court and 2666 Chandalar Lane in Chandalar South. FEMA’s contribution is $515,940, while Pelham’s local share is $171,980.
The grant agreements make the city responsible for providing the full non-federal match, as no state mitigation cost-share funding is available. Payments are to be made on a cost-reimbursement basis following submission and approval of invoices.
Under the agreements, Pelham must begin project work within 90 days of grant approval and complete the work by July 19, 2029, unless an extension is granted. The city must also provide quarterly progress reports, with the first due January 15, 2027.
The acquisition programme includes fair-market-value purchases, appraisals, title insurance, legal and closing costs, site preparation, demolition and removal, and grading and seeding. FEMA approval documents specify that changes to the project scope require prior approval, while demolition work remains subject to environmental, historic-preservation and hazardous-material requirements.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Meeting, City of Pelham