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Home My WebLink About2014-190-2169 - Flood Hazard PlanCity of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: 10/22/2014 Item Type: (Enter X in box) Resolution Ordinance Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance Reading: (Enter X in box) 1st Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: (Enter X in box) Yes No Yes No X X Funding Source: Advertising Requirement: Yes No X Contract/P.O. Required: Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: (Enter #) X Strategic Plan Related: Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Area: Enhance Organizational Bus. & Economic Dev Public Safety Quality of Education Qual. of Life & City Image Communication Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy: N/A X Sponsor Name: Cameron Benson City Manger Department: Development Services and Code Compliance Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM FLOOD HAZARD OUTREACH PLAN, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT “A”; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary The City of Miami Gardens participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), which is part of the National Flood Insurance Program. Residents and Businesses located in flood hazard areas currently enjoy a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums through participation in this Program. The City earns credit for performing activities to better protect our community against the threat of flooding. One of the credited activities in the CRS is to create an outreach and education plan to include input from community stakeholders to determine the best ways to share the message of flood preparedness with Residents and Businesses. The plan includes steps that may be taken to direct the committee in ITEM K-9) CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION Community Rating System Flood Hazard Outreach Plan finding the most effective ways to communicate this important message. Another objective of this Plan is to improve flood insurance coverage in different areas of the community. Proposed Action: It is recommended the Council approve the attached Plan Attachment: Community Rating System Flood Hazard Outreach Plan DRAFT Community Rating System Activity Proposal Activity 332.c. Flood Hazard Outreach Plan The City of Miami Gardens hereby creates a Flood Hazard Outreach Plan. This Plan will be administered by a Committee (Committee) comprised of different community stakeholders. The Committee has been created to guide the design and transmittal of messages to the community helping residents with issues such as: Being better prepared for flooding; Assisting homeowners in assessing their properties for flood protection purposes; Stressing the importance of flood safety; Educating the community as to the benefits of natural floodplains in the City; and Encouraging the purchase of flood insurance. This Plan is meant to be dynamic; therefore, messages and types of media may change based on findings of the Committee. The Plan covers three main topics: 1. What types of flood protection messages does the Committee wish to disseminate, and what method of outreach would be best? 2. How do we improve flood insurance coverage in our community? 3. What type of flood warning and response plan does the city have; and how do we convey the message of City activities performed in advance of and during a storm event? The document created from this Committee’s work has been developed according to a seven‐step planning and public involvement process, which is described below. Establish Committee Affiliation Mike Gambino Floodplain Administrator (FA), City of Miami Gardens Tele: 305.622.8000, Ext 2628 Email: mgambino@miamigardens‐fl.gov Natasha Louis‐Charles Administrative Analyst, City of Miami Gardens Tele: 786.279.1267 Email: Nalexander@miamigardens‐fl.gov Lashura Batten Keep Miami Gardens Beautiful Coordinator Tele: 305.279.1261 Email: Lbatten@miamigardens‐fl.gov Kathy Howington Insurance Agent Tele: 800.627.0000, Ext 4217 Email: Katherine.Howington@bankersinsurance.com Kerrith Fiddler Resident of the City of Miami Gardens Tele: Email: kfiddler@northmiamifl.gov Brenda Harper Resident of the City of Miami Gardens Home phone 305.626.0949 Work phone 305.494.3423 Email: bharper1221@yahoo.com Maria Edwards Branch Manager III, Dade County Federal Credit Union Tele: 786.845.3271 Email: maria.edwards@dcfcu.org Assess the Community’s Public Information Needs The Floodplain Administrator (FA) has compiled a list of target areas, based on demographics of the entire community, chronically flooded areas in relationship to the flood hazard areas, development conditions, and ages of the different parts of the community. The FA has also taken into consideration communication methods and materials already in existence, and the education and outreach efforts currently being conducted in the community. These existing efforts are listed in Appendix A. Target Areas The following consists of suggested target areas to conduct outreach. The Committee may change, edit, add or remove items from this list as the group progresses through the process.  Special Flood Hazard Areas  Areas with new or dense development  Repetitive loss areas  Older, pre‐FIRM neighborhoods with and without non‐compliant structures  Older business and commercial areas  Areas with natural features that contribute to flooding  Areas adjacent to the primary and secondary canal systems  Areas housing critical facilities  Areas with concentrations of senior citizens/ retired citizens  Areas with concentrations of low‐income residents Subset of Target Areas The FA has also identified four subsets of targeted areas identified based on specific issues these areas face:  Coconut Cay, west side of development: has poor percolation and suffers from increased flooding at the start of heavy rain events, stormwater does eventually recede.  Riviera Trailer Park is a first area of evacuation in the event of a wind or rain event  Residential basement area is an area with Pre‐FIRM structures built split level with basements.  West Andover is an area with Pre‐FIRM structures where Elevation Certificates have shown structures lower than the BFE for that area. Existing public information and outreach efforts See Appendix A Evaluation of other outreach messages being conducted in the community The Committee will evaluate media such as PSA’s, flyers and brochures, and other media devices to see if they may be economically and effectively used. Formulate Messages Public information messages needed for target audiences, and desired outcomes, are listed below. Special Flood Hazard Areas Topics: Variety of flood protection messages Outcomes: Better overall flood preparedness by Residents and Businesses Areas with new or dense development Topics: How new development can impact existing neighborhoods, the importance of maintaining local drainage systems, the importance of maintaining swales as infiltration systems and the importance of keeping all stormwater runoff on individually‐owned properties Outcomes: Reduced flooding from more rain events, Residents working better together to recognize and react to flood events, less stormwater flowing from one property to another reducing the impacts on neighbors Repetitive loss areas** Topics: Need for investigation as to why repetitive losses are being filed, things you can do to retro‐fit or otherwise protect your property, the importance of flood insurance and the availability of grants. Outcomes: Reduction, mitigation or elimination of repetitive losses Older Pre‐FIRM Structures Topics: 50% rule, retrofitting and flood insurance rates, openings in areas below BFE, pre‐FIRM vs Post‐FRIM rates, especially with BW12 Outcomes: More retrofits to structures, enhanced knowledge of Flood Insurance (FI) rates, the improved hardening of buildings before an event to reduce damage and knowledge of how improvements or damage affect structures Older Business/ Commercial Areas Topics: 50% rule, the importance of maintenance of older drainage systems, the importance of proper landscaping and how to protect businesses from flooding Outcomes: Better protected businesses, quicker recovery after a disaster, less flooding from older systems Areas with Flood‐Prone Natural Features Topics: How natural features can impact flooding, how to protect property and react to such features Outcomes: Less flood insurance claims, less damage to structures Areas Adjacent to Primary and Secondary Canals Topics: How the canal system works, importance of policing canal shores to remove litter and debris, who is responsible for the systems, possible impact from banks overtopping, prohibition of discharges to canals such as washing machine gray water Outcomes: Removal of illegal discharges to canals, awareness of litter control along banks, calls made to appropriate authorities if canal banks overtopping is observed. Areas Housing Critical Facilities (CF) Topics: What are critical facilities, why it is important to protect a CF, what are special needs, why these facilities may need special attention Outcomes: Additional approval of CF neighborhoods, possible volunteering at CF’s, importance of reporting flooding adjacent to CF Areas of Concentrated Senior citizens: Topics: The importance of having flood insurance, how to be prepared in advance of hurricane season, having help ready if you are physically challenged or cannot move quickly to avoid a storm, awareness of elderly services such as County’s Special Needs Program. Outcomes: Senior citizens better prepared and protected, more flood insurance coverage purchased by senior citizens, services aware of senior citizens and specific needs. Low Income Areas: Topics: Affordability of Preferred Risk Policies outside of the SFHA, the availability of potential financial assistance, the County’s Special Needs Program, Benefits of the CRS Program Outcomes: More FIood Insurance coverage, better prepared citizens, more access to assistance programs, enhanced knowledge for citizens on how to protect themselves in advance Areas with basements: Topics: 50 % rule and filling in basements, if rule exceeded Outcomes: Knowledge of rule, better protect structure to reduce losses Entire Community Topic: Free Flood Protection Advice Service for Residents Identify Outreach Projects to Convey the Message, and Examine All Other Public Information Initiatives The Committee is currently discussing the various methods or types of outreach projects most beneficial to the community and the target areas. Existing means and methods of communicating to convey the target messages are also being discussed. The Committee will consider a multi‐media approach, based on the wide variety of programs already in place in the community. Media such as written materials, PSA’s, neighborhood presentations, issuing press releases, radio outlets, individual or common web sites, and other media sources are being considered. Not wanting to limit the available resources, the Committee has agreed to use any and/or all such outlets, depending on the particular situation, whether it is pre‐storm conditions, pre‐hurricane season, post‐storm recovery, or dates corresponding to changes in the federal program, such as Biggert Waters 2012, and Homeowners Insurance Affordability Act.* During the Committee’s first year of existence, four outreach projects listed below have been identified as being most beneficial to the target audiences: Outreach Project Target Audience Person Responsible For Implementing One‐page fact sheet Entire community FA Door hangers Structures with basements FA One‐page mailout Chronically flooded area FA Coconut Cay Presentations at Crime Watch Crime Watch and Assoc. Groups FA And Homeowners Assoc. meetings Implement, Monitor and Evaluate the Program The Committee will meet at least annually to monitor the implementation of the various projects. The Committee will also assess whether outcomes were achieved, or if changes to the project are needed to improve the message. Projects also may be “shelved” if better or more economic projects are developed. An Evaluation Report will be created each year based on the findings of the Committee. This Annual Report will be sent to Council for review, and will be included in the City’s annual recertification. Other Items to Discuss and Make Recommendations at Committee Meetings  Best way to publicize the map information service provided by the City. This includes a few words on each topic and that EC’s are available in the community.  FRP preparation and implementation package and if it is best way to reach out before a flood  Hazard disclosure – what are we doing and is it effective (annual evaluation)  Include information on the City’s Flood Awareness webpage  Discuss the extra four topics to apply as extra credit under PPI  Discuss the property protection advice service the city has. Include information on possible sources of financial assistance and have ready to give to the public Other Important Topics for Public Outreach  Hurricane Preparedness ‐ Have a hurricane plan that shows what to do before the hurricane (shutters, important papers, contacts, etc.); Know your storm surge planning zones and evacuation routes; lubricate and check your shutters early; familiarize yourself with the yearly hurricane predictions  General preparedness ‐ Inventory your home’s furnishings, gather receipts, bag important papers; make copies of important papers and send to someone out of the hurricane zone; elevate important antiques; Organize insurance and mortgage contacts  Basement flooding ‐ Do you have a pump to pump out water away from the structure? Have you ever had a structural inspection of the basement to detect cracks, movement of soil, or collapse of the basement? Does your rain gutter system drain stormwater away from the foundation? Does the pitch of the lawn go away from the house? Is anything important stored in the basement?  Flood education ‐ Create presentations for school children about the dangers of flooding; mention relevant topics in these presentations; Career day…?  Public resources ‐ The availability of free city services such as flood protection assistance, map information, and insurance information.  Flood Response Preparation ‐ The City has formulated messages and methods of sharing information before, during and after a flood. The types of messages and how they will be distributed are mentioned in a separate part of the City’s outreach information.  Real estate agents’ brochures ‐ The Committee will review and approve any real estate agent’s brochures to properly convey the Committee messages  Web site Information ‐ The City currently has flood protection information on its web site. The Committee will review the web site, and make recommendations for any other topics, and approve the web site. Flood Insurance Promotion As part of this effort, the City’s Floodplain Administrator will assess the current level of flood insurance in the City, including contents and renter’s coverage, and with the Committee’s assistance will devise a plan to increase such coverage using the methods outlined in the PPI document, then implement said Plan. Other Stakeholders Willing to Share the Message The Committee has identified the following stakeholders who may agree to and endorse the flood protection messages in this document: Miami Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Miami Dade County Office of Emergency Management Miami Gardens Crime Watch Groups South Florida Water Management District Miami‐Dade County CRS Users Group Surveyors and Mappers Society Florida Floodplain Managers Association (FFMA) Emails have been sent to these groups to gauge their interest. *The objective of the Biggert Waters Act is to remove all subsidies to flood insurance policies. **Repetitive loss property is defined by FEMA as a property where two or more flood Insurance loss claims of $1000 or more have been filed within a ten year period. FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) ‐ the maps used to delineate Residences and Businesses located in flood‐ prone areas. Appendix A List of Current Education and Outreach Efforts in Miami Gardens  Jazz in the Gardens  Coffee with the Cops  Adopt a Road  Greater Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce  Crime Watch meetings  School presentations  Elder Affairs meetings  Crime Watch meetings  Career Day at elementary schools  CRS Users Group meetings  Town Hall meetings sponsored by Council members  Miscellaneous requests for stormwater presentations  Homeowners association meetings  Stormwater Operator classes  Sediment and Erosion Control Inspector Training and Certification Classes  Citizens Academy  Accessing Miami Gardens Permitting and Procurement Processes for Businesses  E‐Blast newsletter  Community Newsletter  “It Happens in Parks” newsletter published by Parks and Recreation Dept. Appendix B Flood Insurance Coverage Assessment and Improvement Plan The PPI Committee is also in charge of creating a coverage assessment and improvement plan, to increase coverage of flood insurance in targeted areas of the City. This Plan is formatted according to the CRS Manual, expiration date 2015. Where does coverage need to improve? The Committee, with the assistance of the FA, has identified four areas of concern that it believes could benefit from an increase in flood insurance policies. These areas are: 1. Coconut Cay Development ‐ This is a recent development where, due to soil and geological problems, the flooding during rainfall is initially severe. However, ponding recedes within 3‐4 hours. The initial flooding remains of concern to the City. The entire site is in a flood hazard area where roads are lower than the base flood elevation. 2. Andover ‐ This is an older community with houses built in the early 1960’s. A review of an Elevation Certificate showed the lowest floor is lower than the base flood elevation. This is an area of concern because of the 50% rule and its potential impact to the older residences in this area. This community is in a flood hazard area. 3. Basement residences ‐ There is a small area outside the floodplain where older residential structures built in the 1960’s have three levels of elevations, including basements. Given the City’s floodplain management regulations include all flood risk zones, any damage or improvement to a percentage greater than 50% of the structure’s value would require the Resident to abandon their basements. Ensuring that Residents understand these rules and protect themselves accordingly, including buying flood insurance, is an area of concern. 4. Riviera Trailer Park ‐ This trailer park has been designated as first to evacuate in the event of a high‐ wind or flood storm. It is critical residents in this trailer park are aware of their hazard and the importance of evacuation early in the process of an impending storm. Policy Coverage in Areas of Concern The FA has recently reviewed a list of over 23,000 flood insurance policies in the vicinity of Miami Gardens, and has responded with corrections on the jurisdiction of over 5,000 policies. Once the three areas of concern are delineated on a map, this list will be reviewed again to determine how many policies are current in each of the three targeted areas. Determine Level of Coverage for Target Areas The FA has asked the FEMA Insurance Division for details on the policies in the target areas. Once these details are received, the FA will review the lists to determine average coverage, amounts of content coverage and renter’s coverage then compare these coverages to expected damage from the base flood. Objectives of Coverage Improvement Plan The objectives of the coverage improvement plan will be to improve numbers of policies purchased in the target areas, add or increase the amounts of content coverage, and increase the number of renter’s policies purchased. Outcomes of Coverage Improvement Plan The anticipated outcomes of the coverage improvement plan are the same as listed in the objectives of coverage improvement plan. Current Activities in Target Areas Currently, outreach brochures are being sent to all four targeted areas. Descriptions of Projects Planned The City plans to create and distribute letters and door hangers to the target areas, specifying the singular flood hazards each area possesses. The FA will create the publicity, and assist in disseminating information. Staff of the Public Works Department will assist in distributing information as needed. Outreach for these audiences will be staggered throughout the year. At least one outreach project will be distributed during the rainy season. Appendix C Flood Threat Warning and Response Plan The City of Miami Gardens currently has a number of different ways to warn the public when threatening weather occurs, and also has a response plan to protect the public if a flood occurs. The National Weather Service (NWS) publishes flood warnings through various media outlets. This media includes Residents and Businesses of Miami Gardens. The NWS has direct contact with the Office of Emergency Management, which has the authority to approve any and all messages distributed by NWS. OEM has direct lines of communication with emergency managers of the municipalities, including Miami Gardens. In addition, the City has a local radio station AM 970 which publishes weather information around the clock. Special messages warning of flooding, flash flooding, or other specific messages can be transmitted through this radio station. The City of Miami Gardens also has a pre‐disaster response plan directed to removing obstructions before a flood event occurs, and warning specific areas of the City should an event occur. More information on this Plan may be obtained through the City’s Public Works Department. The committee is charged with reviewing these plans and procedures, and providing comments and/or making recommendations to improve said Plan. Drafted by: M. Gambino, CFM Draft date: Revised 080414, 091814