SUBJECT: Motion to approve the 2021 City of Houston Program for Public Information Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary) It is recommended that City Council pass a motion to approve the 2021 City of Houston Program for Public Information (PPI) Plan.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The City of Houston is a participant in the Community Ratings System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program, which recognizes communities with floodplain management practices that exceed minimum federal requirements. Participating communities are awarded class ratings ranging from 10 (lowest) to 1 (highest) based on their degree of compliance and documentation with CRS recommended activities. As a community's class rating improves the amount of flood insurance premium discount available to the policy holders also improves.
The City entered the CRS program with a Class 8 rating effective May 2001. The City improved its floodplain management practices over time and was awarded a Class 7, Class 6 and a Class 5 rating in 2006, 2007 and 2009 respectively. The City's Class 5 rating affords the City's flood insurance customers in the 100-year floodplain and floodway a 25% discount on premiums. Flood insurance customers in more moderate risk areas with standard rate policies receive a discount of 10% on premiums. As a result of the City's Class 5 rating, Houston flood insurance customers save an estimated total of $13,890,083.00 per year on flood insurance premiums.
As a requirement in participating in the Community Rating System (CRS) and to maintain or improve its Class 5 rating, the City is required to implement the Program for Public Information (PPI). Once approved by City Council, the attached 2021 Program for Public Information will fulfill the CRS requirement for 2021 thru 2026.
2021 City of Houston Program for Public Information Plan: The City of Houston Program for Public Information (PPI) is an ongoing local effort to identify, prepare, implement, and monitor a range of public information activities that meet specific local needs. The goal of PPI is to better inform the public so that they can make better decisions, take steps to protect themselves from flooding, support local floodplain management efforts and efforts to protect the natural functions of the floodplain. Activities included in the City's PPI are eligible for credit under the CRS program and contribute to the flood insurance discounts for the community. PPI activities include public information endeavors such as mailings, presentations at community meetings, website postings, information tables at community events and other existing and new activities. PPI activities are completed by Houston Public Works staff and require no additional funding. Per CRS requirements, the community has been engaged to develop the PPI and will continue to be engaged to evaluate the PPI on an annual basis.
The Flood Insurance Assessment (FIA) report is provided as a supplement to the PPI. It provides background and statistics on flood insurance policy coverage in the City. For Community Rating System (CRS) credit, the Flood Insurance Assessment (FIA) report is submitted to Council as an informational document only.
A public meeting was held on January 28, 2021 as part of the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Council Committee Meeting.
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works