TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Mike Niblock, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
title
Update to the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2017-48, updating the City of Salem Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2017-48, updating the City of Salem Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem has a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP) that describes its risk to natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, as well as mitigation strategies and tasks to reduce risk. In 2002, Salem became one of the first cities in the nation to obtain approval of its NHMP by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NHMP was reviewed and updated in 2003, 2008, and 2012. The most recent NHMP was adopted by City Council on November 13, 2012, by Resolution No. 2012-99. Additionally, an update was accomplished in 2014 which added Action Item #8 - Critical Transportation Routes to the plan.
A hard copy of the updated NHMP is available at Fire Station No. 1, 370 Trade Street SE, Salem.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The NHMP is designed to be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it remains an active and relevant document. Hazard mitigation planning and actions provide for a more resilient city. Staff planners from across the city departments meet on a regular basis to review action items and determine any interim plan changes needed.
With the assistance of the University of Oregon, the Salem Natural Hazards Mitigation Committee has convened throughout 2017 to develop the five year update of the NHMP for 2017. The following organizations were represented during the 2017 update of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan:
• City of Salem Emergency Management
• City of Salem Fire Department
• City of Salem Police Department
• City of Salem Public Works
• City of Salem Community Development
• City of Salem Public Information
• Salem Hospital
• Salem Keizer Schools
• Marion County Emergency Management
FEMA has reviewed Salem’s NHMP, and has indicated that it complies with federal regulations and that it will approve the Plan upon Council adoption (Attachment 1).
Final City Council adoption of Resolution No. 2017-48 (Attachment 2), adopting the Plan (Exhibit A to the resolution) will provide several benefits:
1. The City of Salem remains eligible for federal pre and post-disaster mitigation grants.
2. The City has a clear understanding of its risks from natural hazards.
3. The City has a comprehensive plan for the reduction of natural hazards within the community.
Mike Niblock
Fire Chief
Attachments:
1. FEMA Letter,
2. Resolution 2017-48,
3. Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (Exhibit A to the Resolution).