AGENDA #4h
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Cooperating Technical Partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
DATE: July 2, 2001
This report discusses the Cooperating Technical Partners Program initiated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for participation in the Cooperating Technical Partners Program.
Over 19,000 communities nationwide participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. This creates a significant challenge to keep regulatory flood hazard maps up to-date for all participating communities. The Cooperating Technical Partners Program creates partnerships between FEMA and communities that are currently participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and that have the interest and technical capability to become more active participants in the Flood Hazard Mapping Program. Chapel Hill meets these criteria.
DISCUSSION
On May 4, 2000, FEMA provided Chapel Hill with a letter (Attachment #1) and a Memorandum of Agreement (Attachment #2) offering the opportunity to participate in the Cooperating Technical Partners Program. The associated Federal and State agencies would benefit from the availability of and access to our technical expertise, aerial photography, and digital data in our Geographic Information System. This data includes two-foot contour interval topography (for more accurate flood hazard maps), building footprints, land records, and digital aerial photography.
Chapel Hill would benefit from the early availability of updated and accurate digital flood hazard maps, and the Town would garner long term benefits from creating a partnering relationship with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management concerning training, technical assistance, map revisions, hazard mitigation options, and related matters.
If the Council agrees to enter into the Memorandum of Agreement, we would work closely with the Federal and State agencies to identify needed mapping activities, to coordinate the scope of final products, and to determine respective responsibilities and contributions. The Memorandum of Agreement would establish the partnership, but would not constitute a specific commitment of Town funds or other resources to the Cooperating Technical Partners Program. Either party could terminate the agreement with a 60-day notice. Attachment 3 provides general information about the Cooperating Technical Partners Program
MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town and the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the Cooperating Technical Partners Program.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FEMA letter dated May 4, 2001 (p. 4).
2. Memorandum of Agreement (p. 6).
3. Cooperating Technical Partners Program information (p. 8).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REGARDING THE COOPERATING TECHNICAL PARTNERS PROGRAM (2001-07-02/R-4)
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has prepared a Memorandum of Agreement offering the Town of Chapel Hill an opportunity to participate in the Cooperating Technical Partners Program; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is in the process of re-mapping flood hazard areas throughout the State and would be a party to said Agreement; and
WHEREAS, both the Chapel Hill Floodplain Management Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency would benefit from a partnership between federal, State, and local regulators;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to execute on behalf of the Town a Federal Emergency Management Agency Cooperating Technical Partners Memorandum of Agreement.
This the 2nd day of July, 2001.