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Council updates floodplain code to stay in National Flood Insurance Program
Summary
After a State Emergency Management Agency review, city staff recommended minor code updates and a severability clause; council adopted an amended floodplain management ordinance to remain compliant with the NFIP.
The Mexico City Council on Aug. 26 approved amendments to the city's floodplain management code following a state review and the city's need to stay eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Mr. Schlegel (counsel) introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Drew Wilford, who said the State Emergency Management Agency provided a model ordinance after an audit earlier in the year. "We reviewed that model ordinance and compared it with our existing one. It's actually very, very similar. There are only a few minor changes that are part of that," Wilford said.
Wilford emphasized two notable choices in the city's update: the city will update definitions to match current FEMA and state guidance but will not adopt cumulative substantial damage or cumulative substantial improvement tracking (which would track damage or improvements at a structure over a 10-year period). He also said the state agency flagged a severability clause; the city included language ensuring that if any section is judged unconstitutional, the remainder of the ordinance remains effective.
The ordinance (bill 2020448) was read by title only and moved for passage; council responses recorded in the roll-call sequence signaled adoption.
The change keeps the city aligned with the National Flood Insurance Program's expectations and preserves the city's residents' access to program benefits, including lower flood insurance premiums for properties within the designated floodplain area. Staff indicated the city's floodplain footprint is limited to a few local areas, including Town Branch.
