SUBJECT: Motion to approve the 2016 City of Houston Program for Public Information.
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary) It is recommended that City Council pass a motion to approve the 2016 City of Houston Program for Public Information.
BACKGROUND: 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 $12,829,000 per year on flood insurance premiums.
Based on recent changes to the Community Rating System requirements, the City is required to implement certain changes in order to maintain or improve its Class 5 rating. Among these changes is the implementation of the Program for Public Information (PPI). Once approved by City Council, the attached 2016 Program for Public Information will fulfill the CRS requirement from 2016 to 2021.
Program for public information (PPI): A 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 Public Works & Engineering 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.
A public meeting was held on September 19, 2016 as part of the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Council Committee Meeting. This meeting is a necessary step prior to City Council’s consideration of support.
RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that City Council pass a motion approving the 2016 City of Houston Program for Public Information.
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Dale A. Rudick, P.E., Director
Department of Public Works and Engineering