Huron commissioners approve floodplain rewrite, authorize storm-shelter grant applications and several departmental funding actions

The Huron City Commission on an evening meeting approved a major rewrite to the city’s flood-damage prevention ordinance, set associated permit fees, authorized two federal grant applications for a proposed storm-shelter (safe room) at the ball field, approved a progress payment on the transfer-station project and authorized several departmental grant applications and the transfer of surplus firearms to the county sheriff’s office.

City Planner Barry Cranston said the revised floodplain ordinance is an extensive rewrite intended to bring the city into compliance with federal and state requirements; he told the commission the most significant change is adding a variance process to match federal appeal procedures. "The only real process that was changed was a variance process was included so that we were in compliance with the federal appeal processes," Cranston said.

The ordinance passed on second reading by roll-call vote; commissioners voted unanimously in favor.

Why it matters: Cranston said the rewrite clarifies definitions and implements a variance procedure required by federal regulations. The new fee resolution adopted alongside the ordinance sets a permit fee structure intended to recover the city’s advertising and administrative costs when variance processes are used.

Safe room grant applications and local match letters

Ted Dickey, identified at the meeting as the project representative for the proposed Huron safe room, told commissioners the project cost estimates show a mix of eligible and ineligible items and that eligible costs follow the typical…