Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission gives first reading to updated floodplain ordinance to comply with state and FEMA rules
Summary
The Mandan Board of City Commission gave first consideration to Ordinance 1484, updating the citys floodplain management code to align with recent state law changes and FEMA guidance; staff said the update affects disaster-relief eligibility and grant scoring. A second reading is scheduled for March 17.
The Mandan Board of City Commission gave first consideration to Ordinance 1484 on March 3, adopting the updated floodplain management language the city says is necessary to comply with state law changes and FEMA guidance.
City staff member Jordan, who presented the ordinance, told the commission it is largely similar to the citys existing language but includes adjustments affecting residential construction and base flood elevation rules. "FEMA has suggested this new ordinance and we have taken it, face value basically as they have asked us," Jordan said, explaining the update will preserve the citys eligibility for federal disaster assistance and improve grant competitiveness.
The ordinance is the first reading of the update to the floodplain management section of the Mandan Code of Ordinances. Jordan said the changes stem from 2025 state legislation (identified in the presentation as Senate Bill 2027) that altered the state statute authorizing local floodplain regulation; the city posted the proposed ordinance on its building inspections webpage for public review.
Commissioner Rohrer moved to consider Ordinance 1484 on first reading; Commissioner Brown seconded. The motion carried on roll call, with Commissioners Sjoberg, Heinshaw, Braun, Rohrer and Mayor Freilich recorded as voting yes. The city clerk said a second reading is set for the commissions March 17 meeting; the staff presentation noted the full draft is available on the city website for public comment.
Why this matters: City staff and several commissioners said the update preserves access to the National Flood Insurance Program and federal disaster-relief programs and can affect scoring for infrastructure and resilience grants. The ordinance does not immediately change any building permits until it completes the required local readings and adoption process.
The commission closed the public hearing on the ordinance after calling for public comment and hearing none. The next procedural step is the March 17 meeting, where the commission will consider the ordinances second reading and possible adoption.
