The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutOrd2016-006 Sponsored by: Planning and Zoning Commission Introduction Date: August 22, 2016 Public Hearing Date: September 12, 2016 Enactment Date: September 12, 2016 CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA ORDINANCE 2016-006 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AMENDING SEWARD CITY CODE 15.25. FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT BY ADOPTING THE OCTOBER 20, 2016 REVISED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRM) AND THE FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS) AS ESTABLISHED BY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY(FEMA) WHEREAS, City Council adopted Ordinance 98-11 in November 1998, establishing Title 15.25 Floodplain Management of the Seward City Code; and WHEREAS, City Council adopted Resolution 98-127 authorizing the participation in the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP); and WHEREAS, City Council adopted the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) affective September 27, 2013 by Ordinance 2013-010 in July 2013; and WHEREAS, over the last several years the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has conducted a coastal flood map study which resulted in the new FIRM and Flood Insurance Study(FIS), dated October 20, 2016; and WHEREAS, both the City of Seward and the Seward Bear Creek Flood.Service Area (SBCFSA) have held several public meetings and work sessions in review of the new FIRM; and WHEREAS, the Federal Insurance Administration issued the letter of final determination on April 20, 2016; thereby setting the six month adoption date of October 20, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and recommended City Council approval of the proposed City Code amendments, to including the adoption of the FIRMs and the FIS dated October 20, 2016. NOW,THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS that: Section 1. Seward City Code is hereby amended as follows: Chapter 15.25 is hereby amended as follows: CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE 2016-006 (Deletions are Bold Strikethroughs; Additions are Bold Underline) 15.25.030. - General provisions *** (b) Basis for establishing flood hazard areas The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska and Incorporated Areas (City of Seward), dated September-275-201-3 October 20, 2016, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are on file at the Community Development Office. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten(10) days following enactment. ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, this 12th day of September 2016. THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA 47//4/.44,00-t- an Bardarson,Mayor AYES: Casagranda, Keil, Butts, Squires, McClure, Altermatt, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Brenda Ballo irCMC Acting City Clerk °°F • o s° ® ................ (City SeaeCitc°OOri:.O° d o O SEAL ® F. n r i s D m t ®�eq ®aaQaaS�3U 14V' Agenda Statement q«P Meeting Date: August 22, 2016 To: City Council N IA Through: Jim Hunt, City Manage `, Through: Ron Long,Assistant City 0 anager From: Donna Glenz, Planner Agenda Item: Amending Seward City Code 15.25. Floodplain Management to Adopt the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Dated October 20, 2016. BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION: About four (4) years ago the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) started work to provide information on Coastal Flooding issues of the Kenai Peninsula Borough in new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS). During that time City staff and the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board (SBCFSA) have held numerous meetings and teleconferences with FEMA regarding the program to revise the September 27, 2013 maps. In November of 1998 City Council adopted Ordinance 98-11 establishing Chapter 15.25 Floodplain Management of the Seward City Code. City Council also adopted Resolution 98-127 authorizing the participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The 1981 FIRM maps were digitized, the City Code was amended to adopt the new digitized September 27, 2013 maps and to update title 15.25 Floodplain by Ordinance 2013-010 at the July 8, 2013 Council meeting. Since the September 27, 2013 maps were adopted, FEMA and the STARR contractors have been working on providing coastal study map revisions for the Kenai Peninsula. City staff and the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board have held several public meetings and worked diligently with FEMA over the last three years. On April 20, 2016 the Federal Insurance Administration issued the letter of final determination on the October 20, 2016 revised FIRM. Once the letter of final determination has been issued the City has six (6) months to officially adopt the maps. If the City were to choose to not adopt the maps the City would be removed from the NFIP and become ineligible for flood related federal funding. The only Code change necessary in order to remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program is the adoption of the October 20, 2016 FIS and FIRM. Specific additions, deletions or changes are as follows: (Deletions are Bold Strip; Additions are Bold Underline) 7 15.25.030. - General provisions *** (b) Basis for establishing flood hazard areas. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska and Incorporated Areas (City of Seward), dated September-27T-201-3 October 20 2016, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study(FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are on file at the Community Development Office. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan 3.7.3 Continue to improve the quality and efficiency of city 1. governmental services. X Bullet 1 - Continue to review and update of the Seward City Code. (page 27) As per Seward City Code the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and approved P&Z Resolution 2016-08, at their July 19, 2016 meeting, recommending City Council approved the attached Ordinance, amending Seward City Floodplain Code 15.25 and adopting the Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study. INTENT: Amend Seward City Code to adopt the Revised Floodplain Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study(FIS) Dated October 20, 2016. FISCAL NOTE: Implementation of the new floodplain ordinance may not have an immediate or direct cost to the City; it could have a future impact to City, local businesses and individuals who are determined to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Approved by Finance Department: I€t Z 4;tt � ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No RECOMMENDATION: Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend the Council introduce and enact Ordinance 2016- 006, amending Seward City Code 15.25 Floodplain Management.