TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Annual evaluation of the City of Salem Floodplain Management Plan.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
A committee of City staff and community stakeholders completed an annual evaluation of the Floodplain Management Plan (Plan) in compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements for the Community Rating System. The annual review included an overall evaluation of the Plan, and a detailed review of the Flood Information and Outreach Plan (Appendix H) and the Flood Insurance Plan (Appendix I) of the Floodplain Management Plan. The committee completed its evaluation on August 17, 2022.
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ISSUE:
Annual evaluation of the City of Salem Floodplain Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. In order to comply with FEMA’s requirements for the Community Rating System, the 2018 Floodplain Management Plan must be evaluated annually. The annual review must include an overall evaluation of the plan, and a detailed review of Flood Information and Outreach Plan (Appendix H) and Flood Insurance Plan (Appendix I) of the Floodplain Management Plan. The plans must also be updated every five years, which will be required next year.
2. The Floodplain Management Plan Committee was comprised of City staff and community stakeholders who have been involved in the planning efforts for the Floodplain Management Plan and its amendments. City staff on the committee included representatives from floodplain management, public works, building and safety, planning, emergency management, and public information. Community stakeholders included property owners, a representative from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, a Neighborhood Association chair, professional engineers, a real estate broker, a representative from the Home Builders’ Association, and insurance agents. The committee members evaluated the Floodplain Management Plan at the August 17, 2022, meeting and provided insights, feedback, and recommendations for future updates.
3. The Floodplain Management Plan Committee meets the FEMA requirement for a review committee because at least half of its members came from a variety of community stakeholders, including realtors and insurance agents. This information staff report to Council meets the FEMA requirement for the annual report to “be submitted to the governing body, released to the media, and made available to the public.”
4. The status of the Floodplain Management Plan’s forty-three action items and the Flood Insurance Plan’s six coverage improvement projects were presented to the committee in three general categories: (a) Completed; (b) Ongoing or in process; and (c) Remaining. The Floodplain Management Plan Status Summary for each category is described in Attachment 1. Key changes to the action items during this reporting period are summarized below:
a. PP4 (Financial Assistance for Letter of Map Changes) - Public Works staff analyzed existing GIS data to generate a list of properties eligible for removal from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Formal removal of properties from the SFHA requires approval from FEMA through a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) application. WEST Consultants is finalizing the analysis and preparing LOMC applications.
b. PP5 (Repetitive Loss Area Analysis) - WEST Consultants completed a Repetitive Loss Area Analysis for all repetitive loss areas on record. The analysis will be forwarded to City Council for adoption under Resolution as an appendix to the Floodplain Management Plan.
c. PA15 (Substantial Damage Management Plan) - A new action item was added for completion of a Substantial Damage Management Plan as a part of attempting to achieve Community Rating System Class 3. City staff has analyzed existing data sources and compiled a list of properties subject to substantial damage. The plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
d. NR8 (Flood Species Assessment) - A new action item was added for completion of a Flood Species Assessment, which is a credited activity under the Community Rating System. Representatives of the Glenn-Gibson Watershed Council informed Public Works staff that the watershed council is investigating preparation of a flood species assessment for Salem. Public Works staff has been coordinating with the watershed council, but no action has been initiated to date.
5. The status of the Flood Information and Outreach Plan’s twenty-three outreach projects was presented to the committee in an annual evaluation report format that meets the Community Rating System requirements for Activity 330 Program for Public Information. The Flood Information and Outreach Plan Annual Evaluation Report is included as Attachment 2.
6. The Floodplain Management Plan Committee reviewed the status reports described above and did not recommend any changes to the Plan’s Action Items.
BACKGROUND:
On May 14, 2018, Council adopted the City’s Floodplain Management Plan (Plan) through Resolution 2018-19. The Plan guides the City’s floodplain management programs. Plan identifies flood hazards throughout the community, evaluates the problems caused by those hazards, reviews possible mitigation activities, and creates an action plan to mitigate those flood hazards.
The Floodplain Management Plan is integral to the City’s participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System. The Community Rating System reduces annual flood insurance premiums for property owners citywide based on actions and projects implemented by the City. By implementing the Plan’s actions, the City is eligible for additional Community Rating System credits that increase the City’s rating. The higher the City’s rating, the greater the flood insurance reduction for property owners. Annual review of the report is mandatory in order to maintain FEMA’s CRS rating.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Floodplain Management Plan and Flood Insurance Plan Action Items
2. Flood Information and Outreach Plan Action Items Evaluation Report