HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-190-2169 - 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