Title
Resolution No. 19-34, Supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) 2019 Recertification for Oregon City
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Approve Resolution No. 19-34 supporting Oregon City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) Recertification.
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-based National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides federally supported flood insurance in communities that regulate development in floodplains. The FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) grades the various community floodplain management programs and reduces flood insurance premiums in those communities that meet certain requirements.
The City of Oregon City has been a rated community in the program since 2003. The program requires annual recertification and 5-year review. The annual recertification allows a community to maintain their rating. The City is currently undergoing an annual recertification.
One of the primary recertification deliverables is an annual progress report under CRS Section 510 - Floodplain Management Planning. The intention of the report is to describe the City’s status of floodplain management and how the City will develop a plan that organizes, involves the public, and coordinates; assesses the hazard and the problem; sets goals, reviews possible activities, and drafts an action plan; and adopts the plan and implements, evaluates, and revises it.
This year’s progress report focuses on:
• The City’s addendum to the Clackamas County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). The Countywide NHMP was completed in 2013 and is currently undergoing an update with input from cities and other jurisdictions. Oregon City staff worked with the County on this update addendum which was presented to and approved by City Commission on September 4, 2019. We received FEMA approval of the Oregon City NHMP on September 25, 2019.
• A table of action items implemented this reporting year include the following:
o Promoted the use of naturally flood-prone open space or wetlands as flood storage areas by considering City codes related to the floodplain (discusses code and standards changes related to floodplain management)
o Enhanced public education on flooding by disseminating information on floodplain insurance, the City database of flood-prone areas, and flood preparedness through the Trail News, letters to floodplain residents, and informational media (flyer, website, etc.)
o Regular maintenance and cleaning of the City’s stormwater conveyance systems by the Public Works Operations Division
o Participation in the Clackamas County Public Alerts Notification System
o Continued participation in the FEMA Community Rating System program
• City staff participated in Emergency Management and Preparedness trainings this year
Recertification points are given if the community’s governing body formally (by way of a resolution) recognizes the planning process. Acceptance of this resolution is the City of Oregon City’s formal recognition of the Annual Progress Report and its plan for continued (and continually improving) floodplain management.