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Title
Resolution approving the Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program for Public Information for the Community Rating System 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.
FEMA has 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 Lockwood Andrew and Newnam (LAN) to update the City’s CRS program. One of the deliverables of this contract is the development of a Program for Public Information.
The Program for Public Information was developed with a committee comprised of City staff and community representatives. The committee reviewed the current flood-related public outreach activities. The committee established 23 public outreach activities to address the six FEMA-required topics and two supplemental topics that are of importance to Grand Prairie residents and businesses. Some activities have already been part of the public outreach program and others will be new to the program. The outreach activities include preparing materials in Spanish to reach the City’s Spanish-speaking population.
The LAN contract for the CRS update was funded from the Stormwater Utility Surveys and Studies and was approved by City Council on January 20, 2015.
City staff requests City Council consideration and approval of the Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program for Public Information by resolution.
Financial Consideration
No financial consideration is necessary for this resolution request.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, APPROVE THE FLOODPLAIN AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR 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; and
WHEREAS, THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); and
WHEREAS, the NFIP has been effective in requiring new building 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.
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 NIFP requirements, preserve and/or restore natural floodplain functions of floodplains, and encourage residents to obtain flood insurance.
WHEREAS, public input and outreach is an integral part of the City’s CRS program, the City’s Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program for Public Information serves as the blueprint for a comprehensive public information program.
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 Program for Public Information 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 Program for Public Information;
SECTION 3. 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 Program for Public Information will be reviewed at least annually; and that any needed adjustments will be presented to the City Council for consideration; and
SECTION 4. THAT THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE agrees to take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives of the Program for Public Information and report on progress as required by FEMA.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, OCTOBER 13, 2015.