Ramsey County staff and engineer review updated floodplain ordinance to meet state, FEMA rules; commission tables final adoption
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Summary
County commissioners heard a presentation from engineer Sam Treblecock on a model-D floodplain ordinance updated for recent state law changes and NFIP/FEMA requirements, discussed enforcement remedies and map dates, and voted to table the ordinance until a finalized clean copy and legal review can be completed.
Sam Treblecock of Houston Engineering briefed the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on a revised floodplain ordinance drawn from the FEMA/NFIP model-D text and updated to reflect recent state law changes (cited in the meeting as "Senate Bill 2027"). Treblecock said the draft expands the ordinance’s geographic scope to special flood-hazard areas within the county — except the City of Devils Lake and its extraterritorial area — and raises floodproofing elevations in some sections (nonresidential structures to about two feet above base flood elevation, residential construction to about one foot above base flood elevation).
Commissioners pressed for clearer enforcement language and remedies for violations, with Daniel Howell noting the ordinance must have 'teeth' so county authorities and affected citizens can seek corrective actions when buildings or uses violate the chapter. Treblecock agreed to verify that remedies and amendment procedures are included in the clean copy and to correct date references in the NFIP checklist (the draft’s dated references to FEMA maps and checklist items must be updated before adoption).
The board discussed the timing: Treblecock said the county must align the ordinance with state and NFIP requirements to retain eligibility for flood insurance programs and noted map updates from FEMA/NFIP may further change base flood elevations in future cycles. Commissioners asked county legal staff to review enforcement provisions and requested Treblecock work with staff to produce a finalized clean copy. The commission moved to table the floodplain ordinance and resolution until the next meeting so members can review the finalized text; the motion carried.
Next steps: staff and the consultant will correct checklist dates, confirm remedies language and amendment procedures, and provide a finalized ordinance for legal review prior to the next commission meeting.
