Community Impacts Related to FEMA Correspondence Copyrighted
October 7, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 8.
ITEM TITLE: Community Impacts Related to FEMA Correspondence
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting additional information on
community impacts regarding correspondence with the
Federal Emergency ManagementAgency(FEMA)from
the September 16, 2019 City Council agenda.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Community Impacts Related to FEMA City Manager Memo
Correspondence-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
FEMA Letter Supporting Documentation
Preliminary FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Supporting Documentation
Firm Panels Not Being Revised by FEMA Supporting Documentation
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
uI�AaMca cih
DuB E � �
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Maste iece on the Mississi i Zoo�•zoiz•zois
YP pp zoi�*zoi9
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Community Impacts Related to FEMA Correspondence
DATE: September 26, 2019
Pursuant to the City Council's request, Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is
transmitting additional information on community impacts regarding correspondence
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that was on the
September 16, 2019 City Council agenda. The correspondence was concerning the
preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of Dubuque.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
All•Anerica Cip
DuB E ,�I�� � ,
Maste iece on the Mississi i z°°'.Z°lz=z°13
rp pP zoi�*zoi9
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager -
SUBJECT: Community Impacts related to FEMA Correspondence
DATE: September 23, 2019
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits additional information on community impacts regarding the enclosed
correspondence with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that was on the
September 16, 2019 City Council agenda, as you requested. The correspondence was
concerning the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of Dubuque.
DISCUSSION
The preliminary FIRM reflects the City and lowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
recommendation to include the drainage improvements to the North Fork of Catfish Creek,
which were documented in a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). The preliminary FIRM will remove
49 structures from Special Flood Hazard Areas, mostly in the North Fork of Catfish Creek.
The City of Dubuque and IDNR also recommended to FEMA two map changes based on the
Bee Branch Watershed improvements that are not incorporated on the preliminary FIRM: 1)
Removal of the floodplain along Kaufmann Avenue and the streets around Comiskey Park, and
2) Extension of the floodwall/levee system protection for the North End/Comiskey Park area.
FEMA clarified that they did not include these two changes on the preliminary FIRM because
they would negate the 2011 certification of the City's floodwall/levee system. This certification is
critical to our community. If we lose levee certification, new development and expansions in the
Mississippi River floodplain would have to comply with floodplain development standards, and
existing structures in that floodplain would be required to obtain flood insurance.
FEMA has provided a workable alternative, advising that the best method for the City to make
these changes to the approved FIRM is to submit a LOMR. This is an action we are prepared to
take upon completion of all phases of the Bee Branch Watershed improvements. Enclosed are
maps that illustrate the areas recommended for change and the City's floodwall/levee system.
RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation is to provide this information to the City Council to receive and file.
Enclosures
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Kyle Kritz, Associate Planner
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner
Dubuque Office of the Mayor
TF[E CITY OT � City Hall
AII�Amerlc7Ci�r 50 West 13'^ Street
�U$ E ' � � ' �.' Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
www.cityofdubuque.org
Z007•2012•Z013
Mnstel��iece o�i tlze Mississip�i zoi�.zoi9
September 16, 2019
Teri Ann Mayer, Chief
Risk Analysis Branch
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Region VII
11224 Holmes Road
Kansas City, MO 64131
SUBJECT: COMMENT RES
Dubuque County Flood Hazard Mapping Project re: Preliminary Map
Panels that include City of Dubuque's Certified Floodwall/Levee System
Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study
Case No. 16-07-2220S
Community: City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, lowa
Community No. 195180
Dear Ms. Mayer:
On behalf of the City of Dubuque, lowa, thank you for your enclosed August 21 , 2019
letter regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) direction for the
Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study in the City of
Dubuque, lowa. This letter has provided resolution to our questions.
The preliminary FIRM for the City of Dubuque reflects the City and IDNR
recommendation to include the drainage improvements to the North Fork of Catfish
Creek, which were documented in a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). The City
appreciates FEMA's approvai of this update.
The City of Dubuque appreciates receiving further direction from FEMA regarding two
map changes based on the Bee Branch Watershed improvements that are not
incorporated on the preliminary FIRM. These changes are: 1) Removai of the floodplain
along Kaufmann Avenue and the streets around Comiskey Park, and 2) Extension of
the floodwall/levee system protection for the North End/Comiskey Park area.
Thank you for clarifying that FEMA did not inciude these two changes on the
preliminary FIRM because they would negate the 2011 certification of the City's
floodwall/levee system. This certification is critical to our community.
The City of Dubuque also appreciates that FEMA has provided a workable alternative.
Se�vice Peoplc Integrit}' Pespoiisibilit�� Innovation 'Ceam�cork
FEMA Correspondence — Comment RES
Page 2
FEMA staff have advised City staff that the best method for the City to proceed with
having these changes made to the FIRM is to submit a LOMR. This is action we are
prepared to take upon completion of all phases of the Bee Branch Watershed
improvements as you noted in your letter.
The City of Dubuque is supportive of the collaborative floodplain mapping process
involving both FEMA and IDNR which has resulted in a revised preliminary FIRM that
better reflects conditions in our community. We look forward to our continued
consultation and partnership during the refinement of the new Flood Insurance Rate
Map for our community.
Thanks to you and your staff for your consideration and resolution of our questions. We
look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincere y,
� {
���,; ;.�.-�
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
Enclosure j
�
cc: City Council Members �
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager �
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager I
Kyle Kritz, Associate Planner i
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner �
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer I
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer j
Bill Cappuccio, IDNR State NFIP Coordinator I
Scott Ralston, IDNR Floodplain Mapping Coordinator
Jason Schneider, FEMA Region VII RSC
Dane Bailey, Project Officer, FEMA Region VII
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