HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2010-067 Sponsored By: Oates
... CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -067
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA TO APPROVE IN PRINCIPLE AND ADOPT
WITH REVISIONS THE SEWARD/BEAR CREEK FLOOD
SERVICE AREA FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area (SBCFSA) was
established in 2003 to help manage and reduce risks and impacts associated with flooding
in the Seward area; and
WHEREAS, the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area boundary includes the
City of Seward; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the SBCFSA is to provide flood planning, protection
and mitigation services in coordination with the appropriate agencies to reduce the risk of
flood damage to private and public property through addressing issues that best reflect a
fair use of the tax levy for watershed -wide benefit; and
WHEREAS, the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area has revised and
expanded the scope of their 2005 and 2008 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan to meet FEMA
standards by means of a FEMA Planning Grant; and
WHEREAS, the revised and updated SBCFSA Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan has
been approved by the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board; and
WHEREAS, the revised and updated SBCFSA Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan
will be adopted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly for inclusion into their
Hazard Mitigation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the SBCFSA Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan compliments and
augments Annex A in the City of Seward's All Hazard Plan concerning flood mitigation
planning; and
WHEREAS, the SBCFSA Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan contains an extensive
inventory of waterways of concern and specific infrastructure and development that is
threatened during flood events; and
WHEREAS, the mitigation measures identified throughout the SBCFSA Flood
Hazard Mitigation Plan call for coordination between local, state and federal agencies to
address flood issues and avoid duplication of effort.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -067
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, THAT:
Section 1. The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation
Plan, dated May 2010, is hereby approved in principle by the Seward City Council.
Section 2. The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation
Plan notes numerous action items that state "Encourage the City of Seward to.... ". These
action items should be changed to read `Encourage, provide Service Area Funds and
technical support for (addition) the City of Seward to....' in an effort to establish a more
cooperative partnership.
Section 3. The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation
Plan is adopted as part of the City of Seward's All Hazard Plan with the following
amendments(deletien, addition):
a) The second and third bullets under Japanese Creek Risk Assessment on page
34 should be changed to read:
• Infrastructure at risk on the Japanese Creek alluvial fan includes all
Seward schools, Seward Sanitary Landfill, major businesses, the Seward
Military Resort, Seward Long Term Care Facility and several highly
developed subdivisions. In 2007 the City of Seward chosc a tract of land
Facility.
• Currently there is only one access and evacuation route
populated - area for the Forest Acres Subdivision located on this fan.
b) The first bullet under Fourth of July Creek Risk Assessment on page 52
should be changed to read:
• In 2007, further development of the Seward Marine Industrial Complex
was approved by the Seward City Council as well as a project to add on to
Spring Creek Correctional Institution. The current levees need to be
inspected and updated or replaced if needed bcforc thcsc plans arc carried
ems.
c) The second bullet under Scheffler Creek Risk Assessment on page 56 should
be deleted from the plan:
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d) The fifth bullet under Lowell Creek Risk Assessment on page 61 should be
deleted from the plan:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
t
RESOLUTION 2010 -067
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Section 4. The City of Seward heartedly commends the Seward Bear Creek
Flood Service Area Board and staff for composing a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan of
commendable quality and practical usefulness to the community of Seward.
Section 5. This resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
26` day of July, 2010.
THE CITY 9 SEWARD, ALASKA
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i1 and E. Dunham, Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Bardrson, Smith, Shafer, Amberg, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: Keil
ABSTAIN: None
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ATTEST:
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Je Lewis,Tl
Cit Clerk ��
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: July 26, 2010
e .t o F sell, Phillip Oates, City Manager) 4_ p
From: Christy Terry, Community Development Director
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Agenda Item: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Seward Alaska to Approve In
Principle and Adopt the Seward /Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard
Mitigation Plan
BACKGROUND:
A draft Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan was distributed to the Planning and Zoning Commission in
preparation for their Joint Work Session with the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board on June 1.
2010. The Commission and Board discussed other watershed issues at this meeting, but the Commission
was encouraged to provide comments as this item moved forward for adoption by City Council and
Borough Assembly. Community Development staff also attended the SBCFSA Board meeting on April 19,
2010 where the Board adopted the plan and provided additional written comments.
The Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board and Board Staff have spent many meetings, site visits
and long hours to update the Mitigation Plan. This Plan continues to be of commendable quality and
practical usefulness in watershed that crosses City and Borough Corporate Limit lines. Since their
formation in 2003, this has been one of the SBCFSA Board's major accomplishments. The Flood
Mitigation Section of the City's Hazard Mitigation plan utilized portions of the Board's descriptions,
history, risk assessment and goals.
Staff is recommending additional revisions as outlined in the resolution as part of the City's approval in
principle.
The Seward /Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan notes numerous action items
that state "Encourage the City of Seward to.... ". These action items should be changed to read `Provide
Service Area Funds and technical support for the City of Seward to....' The Board is explicitly told in
Borough Code that their formation does not usurp or otherwise affect the City of Seward's authority for
projects that primarily impact the City; however the Board should continue to be mindful of their mandate
to reflect fair use of the tax levy for watershed -wide benefit and provide coordination and involvement in
flood control projects.
Additionally, the second and third bullets under Japanese Creek Risk Assessment on page 34 should be
changed to read: "Infrastructure at risk on the Japanese Creek alluvial fan includes all Seward schools,
Seward Sanitary Landfill, major businesses, the Seward Military Resort, Seward Long Term Care Facility
and several highly developed subdivisions. - ! ! • - - - .. • . - - . . - • • •
• • - - • - - -- - -•• • - - • • ." In fact, the City of Seward abandoned
an earlier site and chose the present site precisely because it would be a safer than an earlier location. It is
legitimate to include the LTCF in the list of development on the Japanese Creek Alluvial Fan, but
unnecessary to identify separately. There has been additional Borough and Private development on the
Alluvial Fan since the 2008 Plan and these items were not listed separately. The Board was asked in the
2008 City adoption of their plan to remove this sentence and they have not done so. The third bullet in this
section should be changed to read: "Currently there is only one access and evacuation route
pepolated-afea for the Forest Acres Subdivision located on this fan." This change is to clarify that the
populated area alluded to is the Forest Acres Subdivision, there are other subdivisions on the Japp Creek
Alluvial Fan that do have more than one access and evacuation route.
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The first bullet under Fourth of July Creek Risk Assessment on page 52 should be changed to read: "In
2007, further development of the Seward Marine Industrial Complex was approved by the Seward City
Council as well as a project to add on to Spring Creek Correctional Institution. The current levees need to
be inspected and updated or replaced if needed - - - - - - - - . • . - . - - ..." The staff agrees that
these levees should be inspected, as it has been 16 years since the Corps of Engineers determination of
reasonable capability. But, there is no factual evidence in the Plan suggesting that these levees are presently
in serious disrepair, such that inspection must occur before additional development.
The following two amendments should be deleted because they are speculative, untrue and are not found in
sections pertaining to area's outside City Limits where there is less of an opportunity to regulate.
The second bullet under Scheffler Creek Risk Assessment on page 56 should be deleted from
the plan:
The fifth bullet under Lowell Creek Risk Assessment on page 61 should be deleted from the
plan:
The City of Seward has increased our rating through the National Flood Insurance Program's Community
Rating System because of a number of items including our regulatory efforts. The City does an excellent
job of enforcing our permitting requirements and compliance with our adopted Floodplain Management
Code. The City has a higher rating and better insurance rates then the Kenai Peninsula Borough area
directly outside our City Limits. Additionally, at our most recent National Flood Insurance Program
Community Assistance Visit, conducted by the State Floodplain Coordinator, the verbal review was very
complimentary and praised our efforts. That report has not yet been released for inclusion in this packet.
These statements regarding the lack of regulatory enforcement and permitting have no merit and to assert
as truth in an adopted plan would be detrimental to the City's Citizens.
INTENT: To approve in principle and adopt with necessary revisions the Seward /Bear Creek Flood
Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is an excellent Plan that is necessary for floodplain
management and continued project funding in the area, but requires additional changes prior to adoption to
insure accuracy.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward
City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of
Procedures or Other Plans or Policies. Other: City of Seward All Hazard Mitigation Plan
ATTORNEY REVIEW: NO
FISCAL NOTE: No fiscal impact. Approved by Finance Department:Xti
RECOMMENDATION: ,
Approve Resolution 2010 v7 of the City Council ofthe City of Seward Alaska to Approve In Principle and
Adopt With Revisions the Seward /Bear Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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