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Macomb authorizes study to challenge FEMA flood‑map changes affecting wastewater plant
Summary
City public works staff asked the council to fund engineering work to review FEMA's new flood‑plain model after portions of the wastewater plant and lagoons were newly classified as floodplain; council approved contracting with Hansen Professional Services to prepare a technical appeal and meet with FEMA.
The Macomb City Council on a unanimous roll call authorized hiring Hansen Professional Services to review FEMA's updated flood‑map model and pursue a technical appeal where warranted to protect portions of the city's wastewater facility now shown in the floodplain.
Public works director Alice Ortman told the council some components near Kill Jordan Creek — including sludge storage lagoons and a pumping station — are now classified in the proposed flood maps. Ortman said the highest point of the wastewater plant is "about 20 feet" above the creek and that some lagoons sit roughly "8–10 feet" above the water, but that lower‑lying structures adjacent to the creek are newly flagged. "If we don't get this right, we'll have to redesign some portions of the plant," Ortman said. She recommended contracting the firm already familiar with the plant to verify elevations, run the technical appeal and meet with FEMA on the city's behalf.
Council members asked how often FEMA revises maps and whether the city had been included before; officials said Macomb has not previously had formal flood mapping in the county process and noted the federal review is part of a broader multi‑year update of maps. Ortman said the city is pursuing accuracy so property owners and builders have correct flood‑plain expectations and insurance rates reflect risk.
The council authorized the assessment work after a motion. The transcript contains varying numerical references to contractor estimates; the exact contract amount authorized in the meeting record was not stated cleanly on the record and was read amid a correction. The city clerk's record should be consulted for the finalized contract figure and appropriation. The council's action directs staff to proceed with the engineering assessment and potential appeal; Ortman said Hansen will stop work if the model proves correct and further effort is unnecessary.
The council's authorization is a procedural step to fund technical review and does not itself change flood‑plain designations. Next steps are for staff and the consultant to complete the field verification, pursue the technical appeal as appropriate and report back to the council.
