Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 5/21/2019
Item Status: New
From: Vince Jackson, Planning Director/Mike Howell, Building Official
Submitted by: Vince Jackson, Planning Director
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Baldwin County Flood Hazard Management Plan
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution #2019-091, which APPROVES the Baldwin County Flood Hazard Management Plan.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: May 3, 2016, June 22, 2017, July 18, 2017, October 3, 2017, December 5, 2017, and June 19, 2018
Background: On May 3, 2016, the County Commission authorized the Building Official, the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director and the EMA Planning and Grants Coordinator to submit a planning grant application requesting $25,000.00 in federal share funds, with the 25% cost match being met by local in-kind services, for the creation of an updated floodplain management plan covering the unincorporated areas of Baldwin County.
The Floodplain Management Plan Agreement (FMA-PL-04-AL-2016-001) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $24,999.99 for the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency through the Baldwin County Commission, was accepted on June 22, 2017.
Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. was subsequently selected to assist County staff in the development of the revised plan. Work began in early January of 2018.
The previous Flood Hazard Management Plan was adopted in 2000, but was not been updated. Baldwin County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS). This program enables the County to earn points for its flood hazard mitigation efforts with the result being reduced flood insurance rates for the citizens of Baldwin County. A Flood Hazard Management Plan is required as part of the CRS program.
The revised plan addresses flood hazards and was developed in accordance with CRS requirements. It is a single jurisdiction plan which geographically covers only the unincorporated area of Baldwin County. The County must review and revise the plan to reflect changes in development progress and local mitigation efforts, and resubmit it for approval within five (5) years to continue to be eligible for mitigation project grant funding. This plan has been prepared to meet this requirement.
Opportunities for public comment on the updated plan were provided by the posting of the draft plan on the Building Inspection Department web site, and at the January 3, 2019, meeting of the of the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission.
On April 4, 2019, a letter was issued by FEMA confirming completion of a review of the draft plan and providing a determination that the plan is now compliant with Federal requirements subject to formal community adoption. A copy of the letter is attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: EMA Planning and Grants Coordinator
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Submit adoption resolution to FEMA for issuance of final approval letter.
Additional instructions/notes: N/A