ITEM 3.7 Adoption of Wright County-All Hazard Mitigation PlanotSV
Tr sego
MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORGINATING DEPARTMENT:
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Public Works, Street Department
Kevin Lamson, Street Operations
May 9th, 2016
Manager
PRESENTER(s):
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
Consent Agenda
Lori Johnson, City Administrator
3.7
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Wright County All -Hazard Mitigation Plan.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The Wright County Emergency Management Coordinator and the University of Minnesota Duluth
Geospatial Analysis Center have combined efforts to update the 2009 Wright County Multi -Hazard
Mitigation Plan. This is a multi -jurisdictional plan that covers Wright County, cities/townships, school
districts and other entities participating in this plan. Members from each of these jurisdictions actively
participated in the planning process by attending workgroup meetings, providing information,
suggesting mitigation strategies and reviewing the plan document.
The Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) is a requirement of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of
2000 (DMA 2000). The development of a local government plan is required in order to maintain
eligibility for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding programs. In order for
communities to be eligible for future mitigation funds, they must adopt an MHMP. This plan does not
outline emergency management plans or response to critical events but it outlines potential hazards
that Wright County and it's cities/townships are exposed to in order to be considered for potential
funding.
Street Operations Manager Lamson and City of Albertville Fire Chief Bullen have actively been involved
with the creation of this plan and recommend that it be adopted as the City of Otsego's MHMP.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: x ATTACHED NONE
• Wright County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Introduction
• Resolution 2016-44
MOTION: Motion to adopt Resolution 2016-44 Wright County All -Hazard Mitigation Plan.
BUDGET INFORMATION
h, �Ihl BUDGETED: YES
ACTION TAKEN
Wright County A/lulti-Hazard Allhigotion I'lon, 20J5
Hazard mitigation is defined as any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life
and property from hazards. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made reducing
hazards one of its primary goals; hazard mitigation planning and the subsequent implementation of
resulting projects, measures, and policies is a primary mechanism in achieving FEMNs goal.
Hazard mitigation planning and preparedness will be the most effective instrument to diminish losses by
reducing the impact of disasters upon people and property. Although mitigation efforts will not
eliminate all disasters, each county shall endeavor to be as prepared as possible for a disaster.
The Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) is a requirement of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of
2000 (DMA 2000). The development of a local government plan is required in order to maintain
eligibility for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding programs. In order for
communities to be eligible for future mitigation funds, they must adopt an MHMP.
According to an analysis by the Multihazard Mitigation Council (a public/private partnership designed to
reduce the economic and social costs of natural hazards), for every dollar spent by the federal treasury
on FEMA mitigation grants, $3.65 is saved: "The present value of potential annual savings to the federal
treasury because of the FEMA grants studied is approximately $970 million compared to an annual
budget expenditure on these grants of $265 million" (Multihazard Mitigation Council, 2005). Thus, every
dollar spent on mitigation grants leads to an average of $3.65 in avoided costs post disaster and
increased federal tax revenues.
Wright County is vulnerable to a variety of potential disasters. These hazards, both natural and human -
caused, threaten loss of life and property in the county. Such hazards as tornadoes, flooding, wildfires,
blizzards, straight-line winds, ice storms, and hazardous material spills have the potential for inflicting
vast economic loss and personal hardship. In 2013, Minnesota had some of the highest weather -related
disaster claims in the country (MN Environmental Quality Board, 2014).
This Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan represents the efforts of local agencies in Wright County to fulfill the
responsibility for hazard mitigation planning. The intent of the plan is to reduce the actual threat of
specific hazards by limiting the impact of damages and losses.
1A.1 Scope
The Wright County Emergency Management Coordinator and the University of Minnesota Duluth
Geospatial Analysis Center have combined efforts to update the 2009 Wright County Multi -Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
This Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan evaluates and ranks the major natural and technological hazards
affecting Wright County as determined by frequency of event, economic impact, deaths, and injuries.
Mitigation recommendations are based on input from state and local agencies, public input, and
national best practices.
Page 19
Wright County Multi -Hazard illitigation Pluo, 2W
The University of Minnesota Duluth Geospatial Analysis Center (GAC) performed a hazard risk
assessment for 100-year floods using the Hazus-MH GIS tool. In recognition of the importance of
planning in mitigation activities, FEMA created Hazards USA Multi -Hazard (Hazus-MH), a powerful
geographic information system (GIS)-based disaster risk assessment tool. This tool enables communities
of all sizes to predict estimated losses from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other related
phenomena and to measure the impact of various mitigation practices that might help reduce those
losses. The Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) office has determined
that Hazus-MH should play a critical role in Minnesota's risk assessments, and therefore the 100-year
flood hazard analysis is introduced in this plan.
This is a multi -jurisdictional plan that covers Wright County and the cities of Clearwater, Monticello,
Otsego, Albertville, St. Michael, Hanover, Buffalo, Maple Lake, Annandale, South Haven, Rockford,
Cokato, Howard Lake, Waverly, Montrose and Delano. The Wright County risks and mitigation activities
identified in this plan also incorporate the concerns and needs of townships, school districts, and other
entities participating in this plan.
Members from each of these jurisdictions actively participated in the planning process by attending
workgroup meetings, providing information, suggesting mitigation strategies and reviewing the plan
document. Each jurisdiction will adopt the plan by resolution after approval by FEMA. Copies of the
resolutions can be found in Appendix D in the back of the plan.
Wright County has specified the following goals for this Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan:
• To evaluate and rank the hazards that impact Wright County.
• To determine the extent of existing mitigation programs and policy capabilities within Wright
County.
• To create a detailed, working document that will establish a standardized process for ensuring
coordination of hazard mitigation efforts and to implement an ongoing and comprehensive
hazard mitigation strategy.
• To familiarize state and local officials and the general public about comprehensive hazard
mitigation in Wright County and obtain their support.
i.1.2 HazardJ Mitigation Definition
Hazard mitigation may be defined as any action taken to eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to
human life and property from natural and technological hazards. Potential types of hazard mitigation
measures include the following:
• Structural hazard control or protection projects
• Retrofitting of facilities
• Acquisition and relocation of structures
• Development of mitigation standards, regulations, policies, and programs
• Public awareness and education programs
• Development or improvement of warning systems
Page 110
Wt-ight Cauniy Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2015
1.1.3 Benefits of Mitigation Planning
The benefits of hazard mitigation planning include the following:
• Saving lives, protecting the health of the public, and reducing injuries
• Preventing or reducing property damage
• Reducing economic losses
• Minimizing social dislocation and stress
• Reducing agricultural losses
• Maintaining critical facilities in functioning order
• Protecting infrastructure from damage
• Protecting mental health
• Reducing legal liability of government and public officials
1.2 Sate Mitigation Flee Overview
FEMA currently has 3 mitigation grant programs that are administered by the State of Minnesota: the
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the Pre -Disaster Mitigation program (PDM), and the Flood
Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. The HMGP, PDM and FMA are administered through the
Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Page 111
CITY OF OTSEGO
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-44
ADOPTION OF THE WRIGHT COUNTY ALL -HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego has participated in the hazard mitigation planning
process as established under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and
WHEREAS, the Act establishes a framework for the development of a multi -
jurisdictional County Hazard Mitigation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Act as part of the planning process requires public involvement
and local coordination among neighboring local units of government and businesses;
and
WHEREAS, the Wright County Plan includes a risk assessment including past
hazards, hazards that threaten the County, an estimate of structures at risk, a general
description of land uses and development trends; and
WHEREAS, the Wright County Plan includes a mitigation strategy including
goals and objectives and an action plan identifying specific mitigation projects and
costs; and
WHEREAS, the Wright County Plan includes a maintenance or implementation
process including plan updates, integration of the plan into other planning documents
and how Wright County will maintain public participation and coordination; and
WHEREAS, the Plan has been shared with Minnesota Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency for review and comment; and
WHEREAS, the Wright County All Hazard -Mitigation Plan will make the county
and participating jurisdictions eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation assistance
grants; and
WHEREAS, this is a multi -jurisdictional Plan and cities that participate in the
planning process may choose to also adopt the County Plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Otsego supports the
hazard mitigation planning effort and wishes to adopt the Wright County All -Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 9t" day of May,
2016.
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY:
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk