01/08/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Anoka County Multi - Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan developing community "buy -in" from those directly affected by the planning decisions of public officials. As citizens become more involved in decisions that affect their life and safety, they are more likely to gain a greater appreciation of the hazards present in their community and take personal steps to reduce the potential impact. Public awareness is a key component of an overall mitigation strategy aimed at making a home, neighborhood, school, business, or city safer from the potential effects of natural or man made hazards. Public input was sought using three methods: (1) surveys; (2) open public meetings; and (3) publicizing the availability of the draft hazard mitigation plan at government offices, and an Internet site. A Public Participation Survey was designed to capture additional information from residents of Anoka County. Surveys were provided to citizens who attended public meetings and on several communities' web sites. County and municipal officials distributed additional copies of the survey. Please see the Public Participation Survey Results in Appendix E. County -level public meetings were held during plan development. The county -level public meetings were held during the Project "Kickoff' Meeting and again at the Mitigation Workshop Meeting to present the findings of the risk and capability assessments and to garner public input regarding unique hazard concerns and possible mitigation actions that could be included in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Attendees were provided an informational handout on mitigation planning. The current mitigation process and progress were discussed. Anoka County Emergency Management distributed and explained the Public Participation Survey, and requested that citizens complete and return the questionnaires for committee review. Both meetings were advertised through the posting of a public meeting notice at county and municipal offices. The public meeting notices were also printed in the local newspapers. These publications have widespread circulation, which ensured that local officials, residents, businesses, academia, and other private interests in Anoka County were invited to participate in the local mitigation planning process. The draft Plan and a Review and Comments questionnaire were available on the Anoka County website at www.anokacountv.us during the month of May 2006. 2.5.2 Public Participation During Final Approval The draft plan was mailed to a representative at Mercy and Unity Hospital, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Red Cross and Salvation Army for review and comments of the draft plan prior to the public meeting held on Friday, May 19, 2006. Following Plan approval by FEMA, municipality council and county board public meetings will be held. The completed plan will be available for public review and comments both prior and during the regularly scheduled meetings. During the meeting when formal adoption of the plan will be considered. An overview of the Plan, including purpose and content, will be presented to the attendees, followed by a question and answer opportunity. Public comment will be solicited. Any and all comments will be documented in the meeting minutes and provided to the Mitigation Planning Committee. Adoption resolutions will be entertained and passed by each of the participating jurisdictions under the Plan. The adoption documentation will then be forwarded to FEMA, through HSEM, for review and formal Plan approval.