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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-29 Correspondence(Per City Manager Lombardo 7/29) CITY OF IOWA CITY QUESTIONS FOR THE JULY 29, 2008 "TOWN HALL" MEETING REGARDING THE FEMA BUY-OUT PROGRAM 1) With respect to the Notice of Interest (NOI) form? a. When it asks if "property" is located in the 100 year flood plain does this refer to the land or the structure? b. When it asks for the fair market value (fmv) of the property are we correct that this is the fmv of entire property -the land and the structure? c. Assuming the City's goal is to receive as much Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding as possible, is there any disadvantage to including all properties interested in a buy-out on the NOI? 2) When will the formal application be available? 3) Please confirm our understanding of the following time-line: Step 1. The City must submit the Notice of Intent (NOI) by September 12, 2008. Step 2. The State will review NOI. Step 3. The State will ask communities to submit formal applications about mid- October. Step 4. The City will be given a minimum of two (2) months to submit a formal application. Step 5. The State will send the application to FEMA. FEMA will take two (2) or three (3) months to award the grant. Step 6. The City will sign a grant agreement with the State. Step 7. The buyouts may begin. 4) In submitting the formal application for buy-out funding is the City responsible for doing the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA)? Must that be done using the model Iowa has adopted? (BCA Tool Kit 3.0 version) 5) When the formal application is submitted must it include the City's certificate of substantial damage for each property included in the application? 6) Are we correct that the BCA is done on a project basis and that the hazard mitigation project as a whole (not each individual property) must be cost effective? 7) What factors are considered in doing BCA analysis? 8) Does the City submit one city-wide project or separate projects for different areas of the City? 9) How is the amount of dollars that the State will receive for HMGP assistance determined, and when will the State notify the City of the amount of assistance it will receive? Please describe the process for determining what properties will qualify to receive HMGP funding. 10) Is the City of Iowa City eligible for HMGP funding even though it currently does not have a "local mitigation plan"? 11) Can a homeowner who voluntarily demolishes his/her home participate in the HMGP? 12) There has been a lot of speculation and discussion about the accuracy of the flood plain maps and potential need for an update as a result of this event. If floodplain maps are redrawn, what effect will that have on the eligibility status and/or BCA score of properties that were damaged in this flood event? (Is it conceivable that properties that do not currently qualify may as a result of updated maps?) 13) If additional flood mitigation measures are prohibited on property acquired through the HMGP and not all properties are purchased in a given area, what can be done to safeguard homes that remain -are there specific flood mitigation measures that are recommended? 14) How will the State or FEMA divide funding for buyouts amongst communities when, for example, Oakville, Cedar Rapids, Palo, and Iowa City all have big needs but are so different? Assuming a property in each of the communities with identical characteristics (market value, extent of damage, etc.) which will be funded? 15) How do basements and half-basements (as in split foyer homes) factor into the determination of eligibility? Does the extent to which a basement is finished matter? -~~ ~ Page 1 of 4 ~/- a9 Marian Karr From: Michael Lombardo Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:13 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: 90-minute fema town hall mtg not long enough Marian, please provide a copy of the following response to all council members -only four are listed in the email Cc. From: Michael Lombardo Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:31 AM To: 'Linder, Marc' Cc: Mike Wright; Ross Wilburn; Regenia Bailey; Amy Correia; MCGUIR,STEVE LORE; Anthony, Jerry; demspotter@gmail.com; marjoriestar56@yahoo.com; Irwin, Robert E; africaespina@gmail.com; Andrew Sherburne; Maurine Braddock; Berkowitz, Daniel A; Bradley Kaldahl; Jones, Douglas W; Eleanor M. Dilkes; DaveBiancuzzo@aol.com; Fishbaugh, Jill A; Fishbaugh, Justin; lynn Brenneman; McCormick, Laurie M; Mehring, Lucille B; NICOLA D ANGELO; ofer@oasisfalafel.com; Polumbaum, Judy; Slezak, Ruth; Rodefer, Joshua S Subject: RE: 90-minute fema town hall mtg not long enough Mr. Linder, As I indicated in my prior email, the focus of the meeting is on questions relative to the buyout program - requirements, how they determine what gets funded, the process moving forward, etc. I understand that you have much broader, and more global questions that you would like answered, and we can certainly ask that they provide a response to those questions subsequent to this meeting. However, the focus of this meeting is on obtaining answers to the buyout program so that Council may deliberate at a work session following the Q & A (scheduled for 8 PM) to determine what, if any, changes in direction or approach to the HMGP or other mitigation measures may be warranted as a result of what we learn. --Michae% Michael A. Lombardo City Manager 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 319-356-5010 phone 319-356-5009 fax michael-lombardo Iowa-city.org From: Linder, Marc [mailto:marc-tinder@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 6:14 PM To: Michael Lombardo Cc: Mike Wright; Ross Wilburn; Regenia Bailey; Amy Correia; MCGUIR,STEVE LORE; Anthony, Jerry; 7/29/2008 Page 2 of 4 demspotter@gmail.com; marjoriestar56@yahoo.com; Irwin, Robert E; africaespina@gmail.com; Andrew Sherburne; Maurine Braddock; Berkowitz, Daniel A; Bradley Kaldahl; Jones, Douglas W; Eleanor M. Dilkes; DaveBiancuzzo@aol.com; Fishbaugh, Jill A; Fishbaugh, Justin; lynn Brenneman; McCormick, Laurie M; Mehring, Lucille B; NICOLA D ANGELO; ofer@oasisfalafel.com; Polumbaum, Judy; Slezak, Ruth; Rodefer, Joshua S Subject: RE: 90-minute fema town hall mtg not long enough Mr Lombardo, Given the large number of questions, some of which were complex, that the neighborhood association submitted in writing and that fema et al. are presumably going to answer in addition to making their own prepared comments, I strongly suspect that little or perhaps no time will remain for live questions and answers. Moreover, how can the council possibly know that 90 minutes is "adequate"-after all, the council itself has never even engaged in q&a with the flooded-out residents at a council meeting. And finally, what possible harm can there be in extending the meeting to accommodate remaining questions? If the iowa city, state, and federal government officials can't even imagine exposing themselves to another 30 or 60 minutes of give and take with a large number of their fellow human beings over whose lives they have been and will continue to be exercising enormous power, then I'm not impressed with their capacity for empathy, let alone their intellectual self- confidence. Marc tinder From: Michael Lambardo [mailto:Michael-LombardaC~iowa-city.org] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 5:11 PM To: Linder, Marc Cc: Mike Wright; MCGUIR,STEVE Lc?RE; Anthony, Jerry; demspotterCgmail.com; mar joriestar56C~yahaa. cam Subject: RE: 90-minute fema town hall mtg not tang enough The City Council called the meeting tomorrow to focus an the HMGP and provide an opportunity for questions relative to the buyout program to be answered. The general feeling is that 90-minutes is adequate to answer unresolved questions related to the buyout program and process. --Michae% Michael A. Lambardo City Manager 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iown 52240-1826 7/29/2008 Page 3 of 4 319-356-5010 phone 319-356-5009 fax michnel - IombardoC? iown=city. org From: Linder, Marc [mailto:marc-IinderCw' uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 11:33 AM To: Michael Lombardo Cc: Mike Wright; MCGUIR,STEYE LORE; Anthony, Jerry; demspotterC~gmail.com; mar joriestar56C'~yahoo. com Subject: RE: 90-minute Tema town hell mtg not long enough Mr Lombardo, Despite our earlier correspondence, the official is gov announcement still says that the fema mtg is only 90 minutes. Is the city nevertheless promising that everyone who has a question will be given the time to ask it and get a live answer ? Marc tinder From: Michael Lombardo [mailto:Michael-LombardoC~iowa-city.org] Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 8:08 AM To: Linder, Marc Cc: Council Subject: RE: 90-minute femn town hall mtg not long enough Marc, I understand your concerns and will pass them on to Council for their consideration. If you have particular questions that you are willing to provide in advance, I can ask that the representatives from Iowa Homeland Security and FEMA address them in any opening remarks . --Michael Lombardo From: Linder, Marc [mnilta:marc-IinderC~uiown.edu] Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:04 PM To: Michael Lombardo Subject: 90-minute fema town hall mtg not long enough 7/29/2008 Page 4 of 4 Mr lombardo City council this evening indicated that it would limit the town hall mtg with fema on 7/29 to about 90 minutes. That's just not enough time. For a very large number of people who have many questions at a time when they are trying to make excruciatingly difficult life decisions without adequate information this will probably be the only chance they'll ever get to pose those questions to and get meaningful answers from relatively high and responsible govt officials. There is no rational reason to limit the question period in such an arbitrary way. I urge the council to schedule/structure the mtg so as to enable everyone to ask his/her questions Marc linder 7/29/2008 Questions for the town hall meeting Page 1 of 3 Marian Karr From: McGuire, Steve [s-mcguire@uiowa.edu] Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 9:50 AM To: Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Michael Lombardo; Jeff Davidson; Julie Tallman; Tim Hennes Cc: Anthony, Jerry Subject: Questions for the town hall meeting Attachments: QUESTIONS for town hall meeting.doc Hi Michael, Per the opportunity to submit questions in advance to the folks from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and FEMA for Tuesday's town hall meeting, I have attached and listed below those questions generated from folks in PVT. Thanks for offering to forward these so they had a chance to see the questions that would be asked. You'll notice that many of the questions touch on various components of city government, so it seemed to make sense to share these widely. Best, Steve QUESTIONS for Town Hall meeting How did the FEMA map get updated in 2007? Was the base flow for the 100 and 500 year floods refigured in the light of changes in upstream land use (urbanization, tiling of farmland etc.)? Was the hydrology of the river valley in Iowa City reworked to account for post 1993 developments such as the laser center and the arts campus levee improvements? Why do the FEMA flood boundaries bear such little relationship to the topography on the county GIS? The FEMA base flood map draws boundaries that undulate up and down contour lines, as if the flood maps are based on very coarse topographic data. Isn't the question really about whether the ACTUAL flooded area can be used to define the area of needed mitigation? The city can ask for a reclassification of land in the floodplain, from 500-year floodplain to 100- year floodplain, based on what we have learned from this flood. Would there be an advantage to us or to the city in asking for this? What is the metric by which FEMA evaluates buyout plans? We understand that it is not as simple as whether the homes covered by the plan are in the 100 year flood plain or not. We have been led to understand that contiguity, likelihood of damage, and even willingness of the potential seller figure into the story. What bamers are there to raising the normal peak outflow of the reservoir from 10,000 to 12,000 cfs. We note that this would have allowed the reservoir to be drawn down to a level that could have significantly reduced peak flood levels in the city. We understand that the elevation of North Dubuque Street may be one barrier, but are there others? For FEMA and the corps, how can programs for flood mitigation and buyout be made to cooperate? It appears as things stand that the borderline between a buyout and a mitigation project must be drawn in advance of any project initiation, while a more realistic planning process might involve redrawing borders between properties to be protected by a levee (a mitigation project) and properties to outside the levee to be bought out after the willing property owners have been identified and after the total available funding has been determined. How much city funding is available? It seems that a disaster of this magnitude is a rainy day, and there is, apparently, arainy-day fund that has never been tapped in a long time. How big are the city's cash reserves? How much of this cash reserve must be retained in order to keep the city's AAA bond rating? The community must have a hazard mitigation plan as a condition for participation in the national flood insurance program. What is our plan? If we don't have a plan, how have we gotten by without one? If we do have a plan, what components of that plan have been implemented.-- What is the state's flood hazard mitigation plan? All of the above questions apply there as well. How will FEMA and or the state divide buyout money between communities when, for example, Oakville, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City and Palo all have big needs, but they are so different? Given identically risk-prone houses in each community, assuming comparable value and occupancy, which will get a buyout? Does FEMA's budget drive their black-box formula for buyouts, or do they prioritize buyouts without regard to the available funding, and then spend what they can. How do basements and half-basements (as in split foyer homes) factor into the determination of mitigation and buyout eligibility? Does the extent to which a basement was finished matter? Is the corps contemplating a new review of dam management policies comparable to the review they released in 1997 after the flood of'93? Does FEMA have the power to negotiate with states and/or state institutions to remove impediments to river flow? In this case, awater-chiller project at the U of I stalled, inactive, for over a year, but a coffer dam was left in the river significantly blocking flow. Damage at the U of I, as well as Park View Terrace and Idlewild, was increased by a flood crest made higher by this dam. Can, FEMA weigh in to help us make sure that dam is gone by next spring? When FEMA-connected flood insurance covers "Increased Cost of Compliance" for flood mitigation measures, is there a time limit? If we are waiting to see the outcome of FEMA buyout applications, and that takes a year or two, and then falls through, can we still use that ICC coverage based on the flood of 2008? It'll be 2010 then (b) What if there's another flood before repairs are complete on this one? Can we start over on full flood coverage as per our policy's coverage amount? The Corps of Engineers often favors dikes to protect homes before they recommend buyouts as a permanent solution that would mitigate damages up and down river by re-creating natural floodplains without impediments. In our case, because of the nature of the Coralville Reservoir's operation, we have slow-motion floods lasting months asthe small mud-retaining reservoir slowly and painfully comes down to safe levels. In this area, ground water rises behind dikes that might protect very well in flash floods, or floods lasting only a week or so (like the Cedar River flood). Here, houses flood from their own sump pump the systems because as the water rises in the river channel, it rises in the whole valley, and because of the long flood durations, it also rises through the soil behind sandbags or dikes (like filling a bathtub). The duration of the floods in Iowa City casts doubt on any dike solution. Does FEMA take situations like this into account when making the choices for dike flood mitigation or buyout? QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY: Will Occupancy Permits be issued once houses pass routine building inspections, or will the City be expecting something more to mitigate future flood losses? What are the steps that the City goes through before issuing a demolition permit? (WHY is FEMA involved?) Will the City ask a representative of the Corps of Engineers to attend the Townhall meeting and answer questions? Is the city going to sit down with the Corp and have a serious discussion with them about future flooding issues and what they REALLY plan to do to better manage this situation? Is the city going to sit down with the University and have a hard line discussion with them about their coffer damn situation? If we stabilize our houses and button them up for the winter to wait for the buyout possibility, do we re-insure at renewal time? How do you value a damaged house for insurance renewal? Or do you just renew as if it were pre-flood? Page 1 of 4 Marian Karr From: Ivan Hall, family [ivan@halljrfamily.com] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:28 AM To: Michael Lombardo; Regenia Bailey; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Marian Karr; rsullivan@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; Imeyers@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; Council Cc: jehart21 @aol.com; 'Ivan Hall, family' Subject: 1993 and 2008 US Army Corps of Engineers flood level data indicating Idyllwild should be in 100 year plain designation and at risk for further lower/upper Iowa River infrastructure improvements Importance: High Attachments: Idyllwild 100 year flood designations off by more than 3-5 feet 7-28-08.docx Critical information for Iowa City Buyout, and new infrastructure protection options effecting the Coralville and Iowa City river corridor. 1993 and 2008 US Army Corps of Engineers flood level data indicating Idyllwild should be in 100 year plain designation, and is at risk far further lowerjupper River infrastructure improvements, Why is it so hard to admit inaccuracies in the Idyllwild Condos "out of date" 100 year flood plain designation as well as turning a blind eye to the additional Iowa River infrastructure options being proposed such as raising Dubuque Street that will further Impact Idyllwild. The six feet plus of water covering Dubuque Street will have to go somewhere. Below reprinted from attachment: Numbers are so simple and straight forward. Need to confirm actual water levels relative to Idyllwild for 1993 and 2008 flood levels at peak. Pulted from LJS Army Corps of Engineers site: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=IOW14&amp;fid=IOW14&amp;dt=S Idyllwild 100 year flood elevation designations are off by more than 3-7 feet based on US Army Corps of Engineers Iowa City River levels recorded at peak in 1993 Ind 2008 Flood. See graphs below. Need to confirm actual water level near Idyllwild at 1993 flood peak. Only 3 feet additional flood water level in 2008 over 1993 caused over 6 feet of flooding to Idyllwild. Basically it took less water in river in 2008 than it would have taken 1993 to flood Idyllwild Condos. The negative total effect of all the infrastructure protection (i.e. University Iowa Dam) changes to the Iowa River Corridor above and below Idyllwild Condos since 1993 has essentially raised the elevation associated with the 100 year flood plain designation. All Idyllwild Condos currently 3-5 feet above the "out of date" 100 year flood plain should be re-designated as in the 100 year flood plain. Should pretty much include the majority if not all Idyllwild Condos in the 100 year floodplain? 7/28/2008 Page 2 of 4 The photo of Idyllwild flooding does not lie. Who needs computer models when you have a picture of the Idyllwild flooded. 0f Note: further Iowa River infrastructure improvements above and below Idyllwild, i.e. raising Dubuque Street, will further increase risk of flooding of Idyllwild for the same reasons and raise the elevation designation associated with the 100 year flood plain. Bottom line: It takes much less Iowa City River water level to flood Idyllwild Condo's to 100 year flood plain than prior to 1993. August 10th 1993 Iowa River Height was 645.79 feet: need official water level relative to Idyllwild in1993 flood peak June 15th, 2008 Iowa City Height was 648.79 feet: Idyllwild was flooded to Eft (need to confirm actual) June 15th, 2008 Iowa City Height was 648.79 feet: Idyllwild was flooded to Eft (need to confirm actin Iowa River at Iowa City, IA (06:00 Central) Top o Flood Elevation On Off Record High Elev< On Off Bottom 7/28/2008 Page 3 of 4 itl~ra F~iwer at Ibr+ua City, to From t~6~~i71~~04t3 To OE3':~Ot2{~Q0 ~s0 a~ a~ _ ~i~i5 e 0 _~ as w 64i~ ~~~ 1 hum 2048 1 Ju[ 2t3~008 US Army Corps of Engineers -Rock Island District -Water Control Center -Contact Us Pulled from US Army Corps of Fngineers site: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=IOW14&amp;fid=IOW14&amp;dt=S August 10th 1993 Iowa River Height was 645.79 feet Date: 8/10/93 07:00:00 Value: 645.79 Iowa River at Iowa City, IA (06:00 Central) 3 5 7 9 1t 13 15 17 1€t 21 23 25 27 2S 7/28/2008 Page 4 of 4 Iowa #2iver ai Iowa City, IA Frain t18~0111 X93 To t~l?J~1i1993 t^i w m ~i45 c 0 ~~ 7 v w ~i4C~ ~~~ 1 Aug 1983°., 1 5~p'Ig33 US Army Corps of Engineers -Rock Island District -Water Control Center -Contact us Pulled from LJS Army Corps of Engineers site: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=IOW14&amp;fid=IOW14&amp;dt=S Pulled from US Army Corps of Engineers site: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=IOW14&amp;fid=IOW14&amp;dt=S S 5 7 g 1t 13 15 77 19 2t ~3 25 27 29 Top of Flood Elevation On Off Record High Elev2 On Off Bottom 7/28/2008 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Charlie Eastham [eastham@mchsi.com] Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 1:36 PM To: Council Subject: Application for the Rebuild Iowa Commission Housing Task Force Attachments: Rebuild Iowa Housing Task Force application.pdf Mayor Bailey and Council members, Attached is the application I submitted to the Rebuild Iowa Commission for consideration of an appointment to the Housing Task Force. I faxed this application to the Governor's Office about 1:00 on Friday, July 25. If you have any questions please let me know. Charlie Eastham 37 Colwyn Ct. Iowa City, IA (319) 541-3972 7/28/2008 REBUILD IOWA TASK FORCE APPLICATION FORM Please complete the entire form and return to: Gubernatorial Appointments, Governor's Office, State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319 Phone: (515)281-0215 Fax: (515)281-0217 To submit these materials in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, etc), please call 515-281-0215 The Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission will create task forces that will assist with recovery efforts in the following areas. Please select those areas in which you are interested in serving. AREA OF INTEREST AREA OF INTEREST C~ Housin ^ Flood Plain Mana ement and Hazard Miti ation ^ Infrastructure and Trans ortation ^ Records Retention and Mana ement ^ Economic and Workforce Develo ment ^ Cultural Herita e ^ Public Health and Health Care ^ Lon -Term Recover Planning ^ A iculture and Environment ^ Education PERSONAL DATA First Name Charles MI Legal Residence 37 Colwyn Ct . City Iowa City Home Phone 319 5 41- 3 9 7 2 Employer or Business Name Address City Occupation retired State Zip County Business Phone Fax Cell Phone (319) 5 41- 3 9 7 2 To assist us in providing balance and to meet our goal of increased diversity within the membership of boards and commissions, we appreciate your response to these questions. Under state and federal law, this information may not be used to discriminate against you. Of what race or ethnicity do you consider yourself to be? ^Black/African-American ~VJhite/Caucasian ^Asian or Pacific Islander ^American Indian or Alaska Native Birthdate: 12 / 16/ 41 ^Female C~Iale Have you ever been on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces? ®Yes ^No Are you a citizen of the United States? C~9Yes ^No ^Latino/Hispano ^Other please specify Are you registered to vote in Iowa? Yes Indicate political affiliation: Democrat X Republican No Party Signature retired Last Name Eastham Salutation State IA Zip 52245 County Johnson Email Address eastham@mchsi .corn Date: / / This form will assist the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission in evaluating the qualifications of applicants for appointment to a task force. State law requires most boards, commissions and task forces be balanced according to gender and political affiliation. Geographical location and diversity is also considered. All applications are kept on file as public information. EDUCATION List schools attended, include high school. A current resume may be substituted for this section. School City & State of Iowa Dates Degree/Nlajor Borger High School Borger, Texas 1956-1960 high school dip. Frank Phillips College Borger, Texas 1960-62, 1967 AA Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX. 1967-69 BA University of Iowa Law School Iowa City 1971-74 no degree EMPLOYMENT & EXPERIENCE List major paid employment & signi£cant volunteer activities. List chronologically beginning with most recent experience. A Current resume may be submitted for this section. Dates (from-to) Employer/Organization City & State Title/Position 1990-2008 The Housing Fellowship Iowa City, IA President 2006-08 Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission Iowa City,IA member 1996-2007 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Computer Consultant 1977-1996 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Research Assistant 1969-1971 United States Peace Corps Malaysia agriculture volunteer INTEREST IN APPOINTMENT Describe in detail why you are interested in serving on a state board or commission. Include information about your background that supports your interest. You may complete this section on a separate sheet. please see separate attached sheet I will accept appointment if selected by the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission and if appointed; I pledge my best efforts to resolve, before assumption of office, any conflicts of interest what would be inconsistent with my responsibilities as a gubernatorial appointee. Signature Date INTEREST IN APPOINTMENT Describe in detail why you are interested in serving on a state board or commission. Include information about your background that supports your interest. You may complete this section on a separate sheet. I believe I would bring three important perspectives to the Housing Task Force. Our home in the Idyllwild subdivision in Iowa City suffered substantial damage from the 2008 flood. The loss was not insured. Considering the value of the property and the amount of our home loan, my wife and I believe we will not be able to obtain financing to cover the more than $150,000 in estimated repair costs to bring our condominium back to its pre-flood condition. I suspect our experience is similar to the circumstances of thousands of other home owners across the State. This personal experience maybe of use to the Housing Task Force in developing recommendations that recognize all of the losses seen by be homeowners in all disaster areas. For the past 18 years I have served as President of the Board of Trustees of The Housing Fellowship, a nonprofit affordable housing developer operating in Johnson County. Using a number of private and public sources of capital and governmental and private partners we have developed and currently manage over 130 affordable rental homes and have built and sold 17 affordable owner occupied homes. One of our apartment complexes located in Coralville was substantially damaged in the recent flood. While Housing Fellowship affordable homes are income targeted to low and moderate income households the process of addressing flood caused damages to residential rental property and the losses suffered by home renters is similar across all income levels. My experience with The Housing Fellowship will enable me to bring to the Task Force an appreciation of the viewpoints of rental property owners and managers who have seen flood damage to their rental homes and, of equal importance, the specific needs of home renting families who have lost their residence due to flooding. The third perspective I would offer to the Housing Task Force comes from serving on the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission. Addressing immediate redevelopment and long term new residential development in changing flood hazard areas may bring substantial challenges to land use planning in communities of all sizes across the State. Further, the size of flooded residential areas within city boundaries and the possibility that flooded areas contained a significant percentage of a communities land zoned for higher density housing may call for examining the ability of cities to rezone sufficient compensating land for higher density residential uses. These and other land use planning issues may comprise a significant part of the work of this Task Force. I believe that these experience and perspectives could be of some value to the work of the Housing Task Force. Flood Mitigation Strategies for Iowa City, Iowa ~_ f iii ~~ ~~ ~~~~ July 2008 City of Iowa City Contact Information: Regenia Bailey, Mayor Michael Lombardo, City Manager 319-351-2068 319-356-5010 cell: 319-321-1385 michael-lombardo@iowa-city.org regenia-bailey@iowa-city. org Jeff Davidson, Director Rick Fosse, Director Planning & Community Development Public Works 319-356-5232 319-356-5141 Jeff-davidson@iowa-city. org rick-fosse@iowa-city. org a ~ Benefits of Investment: Remove floodprone property owners from harm's way, preventing loss of life and injury. • Reduce repeated financial claims from flooded properties. • Allow for a return to a natural, unrestricted floodplain, mitigating flooding downstream. Alleviate the need for costly municipal flood response efforts, including sandbagging and temporary levee building. Reduce the need to call upon emergency services such as the National Guard and overtaxed social service agencies such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army to assist flood victims. Flooded Iowa River north. v ~f ~ ~ s ~~ .~ ~'~. ~ at `~~ ~ w ~ iy~. ~''~~+~ . ~+'7" ~1 ~ i F ~ . ~ gyp, a u ~~* E~ ~~~° W ~ '~` ~~ s ~~ ,~ ~` } ~,. Fyn ~ ^9~ s°° rI Y~3' y, ~5"~ I ~ •; ~ 1 ~., ~~ y~ L # F 9h•.. .. ~,y.a F~~N^ ~~ N i,d ~ ~ aa~ ~ . p ~ '~ ~ ~ '~ .~ ~I'1. t ~' i ~ +,~ dJ Y ~`1 T~ m'4 ~~r7 ~ T- ~ ~ I ~ ~ °~ ~ ~ ~ r~ ~; ,~, ~ ~ ~~~ i ~V ~I ~ ~ & ~ ~ ~ i h i > '~ > k ~~ ~ I ~ ~~ ~~ e ~ ~ ~ _ ~~ ~ ~ ~ 5 ~ E ~ ~~~ '~` w '„ ~ ~y ~~ ~ ~~ y '~' r 1 ~ 1~` -~as~i s .' I Flood Mitigation Goal #2: Elevation of Dubuque Street and Replacement of Park Road Bridge Dubuque Street is the principal entrance to Iowa City from Interstate 80 -Average daily vehicle count of 25,500. Principal access to Downtown Iowa City and The University of Iowa Campus. Park Road Bridge is one of five arterial street crossings of the Iowa River in Iowa City. Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge were closed for over 30 days during the 2008 flood. The existing low elevation of Dubuque Street causes it to be the first arterial street closed during a flood event. Park Road Bridge is the first bridge to be closed. The existing design of the bridge causes river levels to rise upstream. Dubuque Street and Park Road provide access to major employment and education centers including 20,000+ University of Iowa employees and 30,000 students. Provide principal access to major emergency and medical service centers, including The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Veterans Administration Hospital, and Mercy Hospital. T,7 a ~~ i ~~'h . rw ~ ~~-; A~, ~; a" ~~i ~x-~,- _~~ t~ 4~' ~~ xd~~t ~ , r ~ ,. e ~yMa~ t_= ~~ .~~ ~ ~ ~° ~ '~- lf9 ~ " ~.6-g `~ ~-a r~`~ ~ . ~~+ ~:. X ~~,_, }~,,~ ~. ~ ~ ~~~ ~~:~~ ° Q t i l' ~, ~ ~~ vs , ~w p ~ ~s M~"~ ~~ya +~ .'~^~;~ ~^~'~~~~ ~~~-~'r~p~~,. is ~, ~ ~"1' ~,~.k a ~'}~ a~ ~' '~',~ X R ~. ~- ~~ a ~, =` .~~`~ ~e f ~~.-,. . u~ • Maintain access to emergency services for north Iowa City and adjoining Johnson County residents. • Maintain function of Mayflower Residence Hall (University of Iowa), alleviating the need to evacuate 1000 residents. • Reduce the need for evacuations due to lack of access. • Alleviate existing operational constraint on the Army Corps of Engineers' operation of the Coralville Reservoir. Elevation of Dubuque Street would facilitate higher release rates earlier in flood events, reducing overall peak flooding. Maintain access to hospitals, University of Iowa campus, and downtown employment center. Reduce traffic congestion caused by traffic converging on the one remaining access to Iowa City during a flood event - Dodge Street. ,y , Street with Mayflower Residence Hall in background. I = .. -. Inundated Dubuque Street. ~_- Newly designed bridge would create less backwater and reduce flood damage to upstream properties. o Hydraulic benefits of improved bridge would help reduce flood potential in Coralville including commercial areas on Highway 6. New bridge would balance traffic among all river crossings and reduce congestion due to bridge closure. Access maintained between east Iowa City and Manville Heights Neighborhood/UI Arts Campus. ~,~1~ ~~' U o ~. ii ~> ~, ~~., w Submerged Park Road Bridge. Intersection of Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge. ~ x fi } ~~, . 3 ~ . Y 1 +~ Y _ . ~~ ; ?y~ ~~T °-~~- -~ ` . Flooded Iowa River in Iowa City -completely submerged Park Road Bridge at bottom of photo -other bridges to the south are of higher elevation. -- ~ ,~ ~ ~~~-~ - +~ nom. AID ~~~M.~~ d„i~L ~` ~L~ - °if J y ~ . ~ ~~ ,uaiYa ~. a~rt i s. Park Road Bridge -Holes drilled in deck to equalize pressure to prevent separation of deck from piers. Located adjacent to the Iowa River, the North Plant is one of two sewage treatment plants serving Iowa City. Inundated during the 2008 flood, minimal sewage treatment was possible during this time. Significant effort and good fortune combined to prevent the total loss of operation of this facility during the flood. The newer South Wastewater Treatment Plant is not located in the Iowa River floodplain. Relocation of the North Wastewater Treatment operations by expanding the South Wastewater Treatment Plant will eliminate the threat of direct flooding from the Iowa River. Iowa City's Comprehensive Plan calls for subsequent flood mitigation strategies to be incorporated into the area and a high density urban neighborhood developed. Benefits of Relocation: Relocation of plant away from the Iowa River floodplain would ensure its integrity and maintenance of vital wastewater treatment operations. Effluent from Iowa City's hospitals and University research facilities are treated by this wastewater plant, making this a uniquely important facility. Sizable commercial and residential neighborhoods are located in the floodplain downstream from this facility and are vulnerable to untreated or partially treated effluent. -. ~~ . - . _-~. *,. ,~ _ 4 i ~\~~ s ._ ~~;.. _='~ ,~~ ~ :~- - z . ,. ~,~. .. ' ~a ~ ~` ~ ~ . ~~ ' ~ u ~~~ PP ' ~~ aL~ e »'~ s ' .. _ _ ._ - r, ~• Y +~'~ ~ ++ .~~,~ ~ 8`~ ~ ~ ~.'~ - .~ ~' ~~ ~taj ~.,~~ ~~ ~` . _^ -. _ i art ~" . ~' ~i ~~ .~ ~~~ ~~ ~. ~~ "-~ ~k '~"~' -~ a:-~. a '" a._.