AGENDA # 2b
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Public Hearing: Hazard Mitigation Plan
DATE: May 13, 2002
Tonight’s public hearing will include a presentation of the draft Town of Chapel Hill Hazard Mitigation Plan and will provide the Town Council with an opportunity to ask questions and to receive comments and questions from interested citizens. Attachment #1 is a copy of the draft plan.
Following tonight’s hearing, we will make any necessary revisions to the plan and bring the final document to Council for adoption at its regular business meeting on June 10, 2002.
North Carolina Senate Bill 300 and the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 require that, to remain eligible to receive relief funding as a result of a declared disaster, local governments adopt by August 1, 2002 a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is acceptable to the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management.
In addition to allowing the Town to remain eligible for disaster relief funds, a local hazard mitigation plan would provide a dynamic planning document that describes potential hazards, vulnerabilities and strategies to reduce short-term and long-term risks to life and property. Hazard mitigation planning is an essential part of creating and maintaining a sustainable community by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
The Town of Chapel Hill has a history of weather related events that have resulted in significant hazards including property damage, commerce interruptions, reductions in public services, impacts on quality of life and expenses (both public and private) for recovery efforts. These hazards in Chapel Hill result typically from high winds, heavy snow and/or ice, and intense and/or extended rainfall resulting in large volumes of runoff.
The Town has policies and procedures in place for recovery from natural disasters and/or other emergencies, but we presently have no comprehensive plan or policy for identifying and mitigating potential hazards over the long-term. Adoption of a Town of Chapel Hill Hazard Mitigation Plan is necessary for two primary reasons:
1) State law requires that local governments in North Carolina adopt an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan no later than August 1, 2002 in order to remain eligible for disaster relief funds.
2) By identifying and mitigating potential hazards, the Town could expect to reduce or eliminate some exposures and costs associated with disaster response and recovery.
The Town could use its Hazard Mitigation Plan as a tool to anticipate and plan for most disasters before they occur and to aid in preparation of detailed action plans, based on the particular type of disaster, to reduce loss of life, property, economic activity, public services and quality of life. The Town Plan is considered to be “dynamic” because it is designed to be reviewed and modified from time-to-time based on actual experiences and occurrences and/or technological advances and changes in hazard exposure.
The plan has been modeled after the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management publications: “Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Manual” and “Keeping Natural Hazards from Becoming Natural Disasters”. The proposed Town plan includes the following five-step process recommended in these publications:
1) Identify and analyze each of the hazards possibly affecting the area.
2) Perform a vulnerability assessment.
3) Assess the community capability to manage and mitigate hazards.
4) Research goals relevant to mitigation.
5) Create a mitigation strategy.
The plan also includes methods for implementing, monitoring, evaluating and updating the mitigation plan as outlined in relevant federal requirements.
The plan has been developed specifically for the Town of Chapel Hill and addresses Town-specific needs in mitigation activities. Although we experience winter storms and wind damages, the plan focuses on flood damages, where disaster resultant costs have historically been the greatest. It identifies the primary watersheds, accompanying floodplains and structures located within those floodplains that are vulnerable to flooding.
The plan takes a comprehensive look at the Town’s current programs, policies and regulations that are related to hazard mitigation, describes the effectiveness of that program or policy and offers additional/supplemental mitigation options for consideration. The plan suggests that mitigation efforts can be effectively improved by strengthening current programs, policies and regulations in addition to creating some new ones.
The Mitigation Strategies section of the plan describes actions the Town may wish to pursue if adequate funding opportunities become available, including disaster relief funds from the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management (NCDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The proposed hazard mitigation plan for Chapel Hill would provide a dynamic planning document that identifies hazards, vulnerabilities and mitigation activities and strategies to reduce short-term and long-term risks to human life and property. Such a plan is required by state and federal law for the Town to remain eligible to receive disaster relief funds.
MANAGER’S PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION
That the Council refer questions and comments received at tonight’s Public Hearing to the Town Manager for review and consideration in revising the draft Town of Chapel Hill Hazard Mitigation Plan as may be necessary.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Town of Chapel Hill Hazard Mitigation Plan (begin new page 1).