Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.A 09/21/2015DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Agenda Item #5.A September 21, 2015 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager Dan St. John, F.ASCE — Director, Public Works and Utilities Curtis M. Bates, P.E. — City Engineer Resolution Approving the 2015 Floodplain Management Plan Update RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the Resolution Approving the 2015 Floodplain Management Plan Update. BACKGROUND The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) first issued Flood Insurance Rate Maps in 1980. Since that time, the City of Petaluma has made a concerted effort to manage the development of its floodplain by the adoption of ordinances, regulations and practices, and by incorporating floodplain management goals into the City's General Plan. The City of Petaluma joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1983 and adopted its first Floodplain Management Plan (IMP) in 1995. The Plan was last updated in October of 2010. The City of Petaluma participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) as one of its efforts to reduce potential losses to its residents due to flooding and reduce flood insurance premiums. This program, created by the NFIP, encourages communities to become proactive in their flood management planning activities. Under this program, participating communities receive a point rating reflective of their efforts in undertaking these activities. The CRS ratings result in reduced flood insurance premiums to floodplain residents. The City of Petaluma is currently ranked as a "Class 6" CRS community, which equates to an existing 20% reduction in flood insurance premiums. The adoption of this updated Plan will continue to allow the City of Petaluma to participate in the CRS program. DISCUSSION To assist in updating the IMP, staff organized a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of members of City and Sonoma County Water Agency staff, and other stakeholders. The TAC members included: The TAC met twice as a group with individual follow-up meetings as part of the Floodplain Management Plan update process, and focused on the following plan elements: • Assessing the Hazard • Assessing the Problem • Setting Goals • Reviewing Possible Activities • Drafting an Action Plan The Floodplain Management Plan update process involved the public in several ways. A questionnaire was developed to solicit public opinion on flood control practices that may impact individual homeowners, and prioritization of flood activities. Of the 696 questionnaires mailed to properties in the City's special flood hazard area, the City received approximately 87 responses, which is a 13% response rate. On August 19, a public meeting was held at Petaluma Community Center, which is located in the special flood hazard area. Letters were sent to all property owners within the special flood hazard area and a public notice was posted in the Argus Courier. Notice was also provided on the City's website and through social media posts. Ten people attended the meeting. The attendees were updated on the status of flooding in Petaluma, the floodplain management plan process, the CRS program, and the structural and non-structural floodplain improvements undergoing. A question and answer session was held after the formal presentation, a summary of which has been included in the draft FMP, and feedback forms for additional comments were provided The updated plan endeavors to assure that an open public process is followed in pursuing the reduction of flood losses, and that the selected activities are best for the community. The Plan describes the nature and magnitude of flooding that the City has experienced in the past; floodplain management activities that have been implemented to date; additional alternative remedies; and a plan for future action to address current flooding problems. The updated FMP does not establish new policy or commit the City to public expenditures. In contrast, the FMP quantifies the flood challenge and proposes solutions that can be undertaken, if and when funds become available. The plan is intended to be a living document and will be subject to revisions to reflect changes in City policy, and state and federal regulations. City staff has reviewed the plan update and has determined that the adoption of the FMP is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the plan is a compilation of existing City projects, programs and policies which have undergone previous environmental review as required; and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262, the plan is a planning study which identifies potential projects, programs and policies for possible future actions which would require future, project specific environmental review; and Sections 15306, 15307, and 15308 because the plan consists of basic data and information collection and includes possible actions, subject to future adoption and approval, which would protect natural resources and the environment. 2 In the September 3, 2015 edition of the Argus Courier, the public was notified that the City Council would be considering this item for approval at its regular meeting on September 21, 2015. FINANCIAL IMPACTS The updated Floodplain Management Plan was prepared by City staff without the assistance of a consultant. The plan does not commit new funding to flood control projects. There are no financial impacts to the City by approving this plan and the cost of public outreach and plan preparation was budgeted. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution, including Exhibit A to Resolution, draft Floodplain Management Plan 3 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2015 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE WHEREAS, the City's Floodplain Management Plan (PLAN) is a part of the Community Rating System (CRS) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which offers flood insurance premium rate reductions to communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program; and WHEREAS, this PLAN is required to be updated at least every five years to meet higher CRS Standards and maintain the City's involvement in the program; and WHEREAS, on October 4, 2010, the City Council held a noticed public meeting on the proposed PLAN; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the 2015 Floodplain Management Plan Update, and finds that: The PLAN accurately describes the nature and magnitude of flooding the City has experienced in the past; floodplain management activities that have been implemented to date; and a plan for future action to address the current flooding problems and reduce losses of life and property. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma does hereby adopt the City of Petaluma 2015 Floodplain Management Plan Update, attached as Exhibit A to Resolution and incorporated herein by reference. 4