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Avalon hires BKF for $30,000 2‑D floodplain modeling ahead of Civic Center housing review
Summary
Council authorized a not‑to‑exceed $30,000 agreement with BKF Engineers to run two‑dimensional floodplain modeling (City Hall north to the ocean) to refine FEMA maps and assess pre‑project impacts tied to a proposed housing project.
The City Council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with BKF Engineers for a not‑to‑exceed $30,000 two‑dimensional floodplain modeling effort that will refine the city's floodplain mapping for the urban flats (from City Hall north to Front Street and the waterfront). Staff said the updated model uses lidar and more granular data to show how the pre‑project floodplain boundaries differ from older U.S. Geological Survey‑based maps and will inform both community outreach and project mitigation requirements for a proposed Santa Catalina Island Company housing proposal.
City staff emphasized the modeling is a pre‑project, community‑level effort that may change which parcels are shown as in or out of the FEMA floodplain and therefore could affect flood‑insurance requirements. Mr. Greenlaw explained that "these maps were based on best available technology at the time, which was USGS mapping," and that modern lidar/topo data can change floodplain boundaries. Council made an affirmative finding that a competitive market did not exist for the contract and approved the $30,000 agreement by a 3–0 vote with two members absent.
