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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 4, 2016 <br />APPROVED <br />46 Ms. Hanke noted the Environmental Board review where they had received additional <br />47 information. Ms. Thompson explained that the phosphorus concentrations were reviewed <br />48 at the Board's request and treatment plans adjusted. Water quality will continue to be <br />49 reviewed to make sure there is not over treating or under treating based on current <br />50 practice. <br />51 <br />52 Informational meetings will be held and staff will return to the Environmental Board in <br />53 May. <br />54 <br />55 2. FEMA Floodplain Map Revisions — City Engineer Hankee explained that the <br />56 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been updating flood insurance <br />57 maps throughout the area and Anoka County has now been done. That process has <br />58 resulted in map amendments and some changes to rules. One change is that lenders must <br />59 now notify homeowners if they are located in a flood plain as the map data is clarified. <br />60 There are about 1,500 parcels within Lino Lakes that are impacted and have a structure <br />61 present on the property. Rice Creek Watershed District had input to the changes. <br />62 <br />63 Mayor Reinert asked specifically what has changed to cause more flood plain. Ms. <br />64 Thompson said essentially the maps are based on more years of data. Mayor Reinert <br />65 asked if it is accurate that those new years have been wetter; he would like to understand <br />66 more so that the city can offer that information to impacted property owners. He noted <br />67 that he's having difficulty believing the changes because he's lived in the city for forty <br />68 years and has not himself seen such differences as represented by the map changes. Ms. <br />69 Thompson said, in some cases, properties were removed and in other cases the property <br />70 was located in the flood plain but not included on the map. <br />71 <br />72 The council discussed the LOMA process (letter of map amendment) that allows a <br />73 property owner to pass on flood insurance by proving that their property is not low <br />74 enough to be flood impacted. Ms. Thompson further explained how mortgage companies <br />75 view the map and the process of receiving a LOMA and the possibility get their insurance <br />76 premiums reimbursed if there has been no flooding. Staff discussed the content of a <br />77 mailing to impacted individuals to share information on the process. Ms. Thompson <br />78 explained the contact she's had with FEMA giving comments about obvious technical <br />79 errors; that process would be continued with the support of the Minnesota Department of <br />80 Natural Resources (DNR) and other cities. Mayor Reinert asked about the possibility of <br />81 not accepting the map now; staff explained the process up to this point that included some <br />82 acceptance of the map. <br />83 <br />84 Staff directed to work with the DNR for their support in approaching FEMA to make <br />85 some necessary changes in the new map. Mayor Reinert suggested that approaching <br />86 FEMA for changes will be necessary but moving forward there should also be a better <br />87 communication plan to impacted property owners. The council also anticipates <br />88 continuing presentations at council meetings to keep people informed and up to date on <br />89 options. <br />90 <br />2 <br />