City Council

CITY OF MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AGENDA December 1, 2021 - 7:00 p.m. Police/Court Campus 1805 Continental Place (revised 12/01/2021) (Masks are required regardless of vaccination status) To virtually attend the meeting, the public may call the conference line: 1- 888-924-9240; Access Code: 3366211 (please ‘mute’ your phone, if possible, to minimize distractions) A. Public Hearing – Floodplain Management Standards (This is a public hearing to allow testimony regarding Floodplain Management Standards to remain compliant with National Flood Insurance Program requirements.) (required action – ordinance) (staff contact – Rebecca Lowell) B. Adoption of Resolution – Mayoral Proclamation (Staff is requesting approval of a resolution to adopt the November 15, 2022 Mayor Proclamation of flood emergency.) (required action – resolution) (staff contact – Kevin Rogerson) C. For the Good of the Order COMMITTEE MEETINGS Public Safety 6:00 p.m. Next Ordinance 3841 Next Resolution 1003  AGENDA ITEM: A DATE: December 1, 2021 TO: Mayor Boudreau and City Council FROM: Rebecca Lowell, Development Services SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to adopt the code amendments in Mount Vernon Municipal Code Chapter 15.36, Floodplain Management Standards. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Attached to this memo is a summary of the proposed code amendments. Please remember when reviewing the attached ordinance that changes are indicated with red font that is either underlined if it is to be added or has a strikethrough it when being deleted. Text that is not red is existing code that is not proposed to be amended. Amendments to Floodplain Management Standards (MVMC 15.36): these amendments are being made to remain compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and ensure the City remains at least a Class 8 City per the Community Rating System (CRS). Attached to this memo is a Fact Sheet on the NFIP CRS Programs that outlines what this program is and how much money it saves City residents when the City participates in it. The amendments add a cumulative 10 year requirement for substantial improvements and substantial damage, clarify that equipment for residential construction is required to be elevated at least one foot above the BFE, describing that nonresidential construction that is flood proofed must be “dry” flood proofed, clarifying insurance premiums for nonresidential structures that are flood proofed, amending the manufactured home requirements to be the same as what is required for other residential structures, adding the AH zone to the requirements for AE and A1 – 30 Zones, adding details to the description of AO zones, and adding a requirement in the AO zones that adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from structures is required. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: Please see the accompanying, proposed ordinance that contains findings of fact and conclusions of law related to these code amendments. RECOMMENDATION: Adoption of the subject code amendments. ATTACHED: Proposed Ordinance Fact Sheet on the NFIP CRS Programs Planning Commission's Draft Hearing Minutes Procedural Materials  AGENDA ITEM: B DATE: December 1, 2021 TO: Mayor Boudreau and City Council FROM: Kevin Rogerson, City Attorney SUBJECT: RESOLUTION RATIFYING EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Proposed Resolution INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: As of November 15th, 2021 conditions within the City of Mount Vernon along the Skagit River created an ongoing imminent threat of disaster or emergency. This threatened to result in death or injury of persons, or the destruction of property, or the disruption of local government to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to prevent death or injury of persons and to protect the public peace, safety and welfare, and alleviate damage loss, hardship or suffering. The Mayor reviewed the situation, consulted with City Directors, the Emergency Management Policy Group and verified the existence of the emergency and the necessity to take immediate, extraordinary action. On November 15, 2021, the Mayor exercised the emergency powers vested in the office and issued a Proclamation of Emergency (attached). MVMC 2.40.060 C requires the Mayor to present to the City Council for ratification and confirmation, modification, or rejection, a proclamation of disaster or emergency. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: That adoption of the ordinance serves the City’s interest. RECOMMENDATION: Adoption. ATTACHED: Resolution confirming the Mayor’s Proclamation.