HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Aciton Form dated January 8, 2008 ITEM # �A
DATE January 8, 2008
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE
BACKGROUND:
Staff is proposing a text amendment to the City's flood plain regulations, as contained in
Municipal Code Chapter 9, to ensure continued compliance with the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. This minor change is required when the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) periodically updates the community's Flood
Boundary Map and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) to reflect any topographical
changes that affected the flood plain. The new FIRM maps for Story County and the
City of Ames were provided by FEMA in October 2007.
FEMA has imposed a mandatory date of February 20, 2008, for adoption of these maps
as a condition for Ames' continued participation in and coverage under the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). However, FEMA requires all changes to be entered
into its database 30 days prior to that date. If not, the community's name will be
included in the Federal Register Notice listing communities that have not adopted the
new map. Therefore, suspension of the rules for adoption of an ordinance is being
requested so as to ensure the City's continued compliance with the federal regulations.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve a text amendment to the flood plain regulations,
suspend the rules necessary for the adoption of an ordinance, and adopt the
Ordinance, which would allow for the City's continued compliance with FEMA
regulations.
2. The City Council can deny the text amendment to the Flood Plain Ordinance, and
the City of Ames will no longer be eligible for flood insurance.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Due to local topographic formations and waterways, it is imperative that the City
continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve Alternative No. 1,
approving the proposed text amendment to the Flood Plain Ordinance and adopting the
ordinance, which will ensure continued compliance with FEMA regulations.
UACAFS\Flood Plain.010808.doc