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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.14.2008COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 14, 2008 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Greenwood that the Agenda, as amended, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley noted the purpose of the meeting was to update and discuss 2008 flood buyouts and flood related items. Mayor Hurley reviewed maps showing areas affected by the 2008 flood using information provided by FEMA and staff. Mayor Hurley reported that approximately 2,150 individuals/businesses in Waterloo registered with FEMA. Approximately 1,060 homes/businesses in the flood plain areas were severely damaged with some areas being mandatory and voluntarily evacuated. Approximately 50 homes in the floodway were inundated with floodwaters to the point of potentially being substantially damaged. There is a need for hazard mitigation funds to look at potential buyouts. There are approximately 50 homes in the Black Hawk Road, Sans Souci Island and Sherwood Parks areas prone to flooding events. There is a need for grant funds for houses needing to be rehabilitated in the near downtown and Blowers Creek areas. There is a need for grants to help businesses and public assistance for the City of Waterloo. Mayor Hurley reviewed events taking place after the flood, including debris cleanup, individual assistance, public assistance and mitigation. Ceres has picked up 2,750 tons of debris as of Saturday and should be finished by the end of the week. The Street Department has completed pick up of the sandbags in the downtown area. Individual homeowners are encouraged to sign up with FEMA and fill out the Small Business Administration Loans application. City departments are working on project worksheets for FEMA assistance and will be meeting with FEMA representative. Staff has been working on mitigation lists for items such as lift stations, portable pumps, gate closures, levee work, etc. Mayor Hurley reviewed the July 5, 2008 Recovery Status Report, which explains the process for property acquisitions to move people and property away from high -risk areas. The city must submit a Notice of Interest to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management identifying the property owners interested in a buyout. Planning and Zoning staff mailed out a survey to 861 residences asking for information on how severely the property was affected by the storm, how high the water was in the house, any storm sewer backup, the residents plans to rebuild, rehabilitate, demolish or ask for a buyout. Mayor Hurley reviewed the home inspection process. The Building Department has begun the structure inspection process using the FEMA website guidelines for flooded homes. Using the FEMA guidelines the structures will be placarded with one of four categories: GREEN means Affected — minimal damage, safe for occupancy. YELLOW means Restricted Use — minor repairs required. RED means Unsafe/Uninhabitable — extensive repairs are needed, enter at your risk. Do not occupy. PURPLE means Dangerous — property should be destroyed. Do not enter. Do not occupy. Total loss. Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reported that last Friday the Building Department Inspectors started putting the Purple tags on homes affected by the flood. The tag says the building "should" be destroyed, not "shall" be destroyed. Homes in the floodway with substantial damage costing more than 50 percent of the market value of the building will have to request a variance to the Board of Adjustment to rebuild, and then will need approval of the DNR. If a home is located in the flood plain and the owner wants to build above the 100 year flood, they will have to get a building permit, and if they want to build at the same level as a 100 year flood plain, they will have to go before the Board of Adjustment. Council Work Session July 14, 2008 Page 2 Mayor Hurley distributed copies of background information for buyouts. The city must file a Notice of Interest (NOI) form to the state by September 12, 2008. The state will review the NOI form for basic eligibility and to collect information to determine the demand for Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP funding. The state will send invitations for full HMGP application around mid October 2008. Entities selected for full project application development will be notified and provided a minimum of two months to complete the application. Mayor Hurley noted that any buyouts will be on a voluntary basis only. Members from Sans Souci Island and Riverside Drive were in attendance and asked questions and expressed concerns. Citizens expressed frustration and concern about the buyout process and length of time. It was reported that their area was vandalized last night, and that they have no street lights. Citizens also questioned if the city can do anything about the taxes coming due. Mayor Hurley explained that MidAmerican Energy turned off the street lights, not the city. Mayor Hurley explained that the tax bill currently due would be on the assessed value prior to the flood. Mayor Hurley noted that he and city staff see the value of buyouts in the floodway and as Sans Souci is in the floodway it would be a city priority and the state's priority. Staff estimated that approximately 50 to 51 homes are located in the floodway in the Sans Souci, Riverside, Sherwood, Sheffield, Black Hawk Road and Ranchero areas. Mayor Hurley explained that the city cannot commit to any buyouts at this time until the state makes a determination on the city's application and the dollar amount the city will receive from the state. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Reggie Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 4:56 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •