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Title
Resolution approving the Coverage Improvement Plan (CPI) and Flood Insurance Promotional Letter from the Mayor as part of the Community Rating System (CRS) Program Update
Presenter
Stephanie Griffin, Floodplain Administrator
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program as part of the City’s floodplain management program. The Community Rating System provides insurance rate incentives to communities that participate in this federal program by implementing standards that help with educating and reducing the risk of flooding in the community. The City is currently ranked as a Class 5, which provides our community the opportunity to purchase floodplain insurance at a 25 percent discount. With over one-third of the City being located within the regulatory floodplain, the opportunity to purchase discounted flood insurance is a critical benefit to our residents and businesses.
In 2013, FEMA updated the CRS Program Manual. In order to remain a Class 5, the City must update its CRS program to align with the new manual and new requirements. On January 20, 2015, City Council authorized the Stormwater Department to enter into a contract with LAN to update the City’s CRS program. Two of the deliverables of this contract include the development of a Coverage Improvement Plan (CPI) and a letter from the mayor promoting the purchase of flood insurance.
The CPI focuses on areas within the City where flood insurance coverage should be improved. The CPI was developed by a CRS committee who recommended the most effective ways to increase policy coverage, including a variety of outreach measures. A letter signed by the mayor is a requirement for this CRS credit and will be included annually in The Pipeline newsletter.
City staff requests City Council consideration and approval of the Coverage Improvement Plan and letter from the Mayor promoting flood insurance by resolution.
Financial Consideration
Funding for the the LAN contract for $97,024.00 is available in the FY 2015/2016 Stormwater Utility Fund, Surveys and Studies that was approved by City Council on January 20, 2015. No additional funding is being sought with this resolution request.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, APPROVE THE COVERAGE IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND FLOOD INSURANCE PROMOTIONAL LETTER FROM THE MAYOR AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM PROGRAM UPDATE
WHEREAS, the flood hazard in The City of Grand Prairie historically has caused significant hardship with property damage and natural resources damage;
WHEREAS, The City of Grand Prairie participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP);
WHEREAS, the NFIP has been effective in requiring new buildings to be protected from damage by the 1% annual chance flood, or base flood. However, flood damage still results from floods that exceed the base flood, from flooding in unmapped areas, and from flooding that affects buildings constructed before the community joined the NFIP;
WHEREAS, communities can be rewarded for adopting higher regulatory standards above the minimum NFIP requirements by joining the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS recognizes, encourages, and rewards - by the use of flood insurance premium adjustments - community and state activities that go beyond the minimum required by the NFIP to reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property, strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and foster comprehensive floodplain management;
WHEREAS, flood insurance premiums for NFIP policyholders in the City, for both residents and businesses, are discounted to reflect the community’s work to reduce flood damage to existing buildings, manage development in areas not mapped by NFIP, protect new buildings beyond the minimum NFIP requirements, preserve and/or restore natural floodplain functions of floodplains, and encourage residents to obtain flood insurance; and
WHEREAS, public input and outreach is an integral part of the City’s CRS program, the City’s Coverage Improvement Plan serves as the blueprint for identifying areas where flood insurance coverage should be improved and providing the most effective measures to increase policy counts city-wide. A letter from the Mayor will be included annually in The Pipeline newsletter promoting flood insurance coverage.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
SECTION 1. That The City of Grand Prairie’s Coverage Improvement Plan is approved in its entirety.
SECTION 2. That The City of Grand Prairie will pursue implementation of the outreach projects designated therein, and will seek to implement the actions contained in the Coverage Improvement Plan.
SECTION 3. That The City of Grand Prairie’s letter from the Mayor promoting flood insurance is approved in its entirety.
SECTION 4. That The City of Grand Prairie’s letter from the Mayor promoting flood insurance will be published annually in the City’s newsletter, The Pipeline.
SECTION 5. That The City of Grand Prairie vests with the City Council the responsibility, authority, and means to inform all parties of this action; assure that the Coverage Improvement Plan and the Mayor’s letter promoting flood insurance will be reviewed at least annually; and that any needed adjustments will be presented to the City Council for consideration.
SECTION 6. That The City of Grand Prairie agrees to take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives of the Coverage Improvement Plan and report on progress as required by FEMA.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 5TH DAY OF JANUARY 2016.