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Hitchcock council adopts flood‑hazard definitions, approves emergency policy and several payments
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Hitchcock City Council approved a flood‑hazard ordinance update to codify definitions for increased cost of compliance, passed an emergency operations/pay policy required by FEMA, and approved settlement payments discussed in the consent agenda.
The Hitchcock City Council on the evening of the meeting codified 2022 changes to the city’s flood‑hazard language and approved an emergency operations and emergency pay policy required by FEMA, along with multiple consent‑agenda payments.
Council members approved an ordinance to add definitional language to Title 15 to clarify terms used for floodplain remediation and recovery, including definitions for increased cost of compliance, repetitive loss, substantial damage and substantial improvements. City staff told the council that increased cost of compliance coverage can provide up to $30,000 to help homeowners elevate or flood‑proof properties after qualifying losses.
City staff also presented a personnel‑related emergency operations and emergency pay policy that FEMA requires as part of public assistance applications. A staff presenter said the document outlines personnel guidelines that apply before, during and after disasters; staff recommended council approval, and the council moved and seconded the measure.
During consent agenda discussion, the council addressed settlement‑related payments. Staff recommended approval of a $250,000 payment to Harborwalk LP in accordance with a settlement agreement dated 09/29/2022; that recommendation was included in the motion to approve consent items. The record also contained references to a payment amount of $350,000 in the same discussion; the transcript does not make clear whether that figure described a separate motion or was a restatement within the same consent agenda item.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance (Title 15 flood‑hazard definitions): motion made and seconded; council called the vote and a voice vote was recorded in favor. - Emergency operations and emergency pay policy (FEMA requirement): staff recommended approval and motion was made and seconded. - Payment to Harborwalk LP (settlement): staff recommended a $250,000 payment per the 09/29/2022 settlement; motion made as part of consent agenda.
The council also discussed allocation of the city’s votes for the Galveston Central Appraisal District board and signaled its intent to cast 21 votes; candidates named in the record included Scott Brast, Robin Collins, Matt Doyle, Thomas Farmer, Donald Gartman, Cheryl Johnson, Chad Tressler and Patricia Walker.
The meeting moved on after the consent items without further public debate on these measures.
