Calipatria City council drafts flood regulations.
CALIPATRIA — Recognizing potential threat to health and safety, the city council here approved regulations to minimize public and private property loss owing to flood conditions during a regular meeting Tuesday.
The council adopted Ordinance 17-003 by a vote of 5-0 to govern floodplain management under the authority conferred by the California State Legislature.
Floodplain management means a program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage and preserving where possible natural resources and includes, but not limited to, emergency preparedness plans, flood control work, floodplain management regulations and open space plans, city staff explained in its meeting agenda.
The ordinance applies to all areas that are floodprone, based on data from state or federal agencies or other expert sources who have identified flood-prone areas.
The degree of flood protection is regarded as reasonable and based on engineering regulations. But the ordinance shall not create a liability on the part of the city of Calipatria, state of California or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“The flood plan management is essential for the community although it is not within a floodplain yet within one mile of a floodplain,” said Rom Medina, city manager. “With a flood plan in place it allows the city to be eligible for funding opportunities from the state and federal government.”
Provisions for flood hazard reduction mandates all new building construction and manufactured homes are designed to adequately anchor structures to prevent floatation, collapse or lateral movement.
Also, materials used must be flood resistant and all heating, ventilation and air conditioning be designed and located to prevent water from entering or accumulating about structures.
And developers and property owners are responsible for subdivision construction, including facilities such as gas, sewer, electrical and water systems are built to minimize or eliminate flood damage, as well as all replacement water or sewage systems, also designed to minimize flooding and provide adequate drainage to reduce flooding.
Calipatria has had a history in the last 40 years where there was four or five instances of flooding and under some circumstances was reimbursed for flood damage by FEMA.
With this flood plan it will be in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program and what this does is guarantee availability of flood insurance for residents in flood hazardous areas, Medina noted.
The council also received an update on city provided essential services and infrastructure as well as the operations reaching near capacity.
They voted 5-0 in favor of adopting Resolution 1725 to revise the city’s Service Area Plan.
Whereas the plan is required to be updated every five years and projected cost estimates were not included in the fiscal year 2017/2018, they will now add $3,000 to the General Fund Account.
The additional $3,000 represents the flexible amount available in the current budget, noted Medina.
And resolution 17-24 passed by a motion of 5-0 to change the date of elections from odd number years to even number years.
The action will extend the terms of current city council members up for re-election this fall by one year and elections scheduled for November will now be held in November 2018.