04-25-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

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