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Home My WebLink About07/21/2022 - Water Commission - AGENDA - Regular Meeting WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA July 21, 2022 5:30PM – 7:30PM Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room 07/21/2022 Agenda Page 1 This hybrid Water Commission meeting will be available online via Zoom, by phone, or in person in the Colorado Room of 222 LaPorte Ave. The meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:00 p.m. Participants should join at least 15 minutes prior to the 5:30 p.m. start time. ONLINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: You will need an internet connection on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, and may join the meeting through Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/97277170269 Webinar ID: 972 7717 0269 (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio). Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, the Chairperson will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to comment. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY PHONE: Please dial +1 346 248 7799 and enter Webinar ID 972 7717 0269. Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, when the Chair asks participants to click the “Raise Hand” button if they wish to speak, phone participants will need to press *9 to do this. Staff will be moderating the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Water Commission. When you are called, press *6 to unmute yourself. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PERSON: To participate in person, individuals should come to the Colorado River Community Room of 222 LaPorte Ave and be prepared to follow strict social distancing guidelines. There may be needs to limit the number of individuals in the meeting room, and thus staging for individuals to speak may need to occur in the lobby or outside (weather permitting). Individuals who wish to speak will line up along the northern wall, maintaining physical distancing. The chairperson will call upon each participant to speak. (Continued on next page) WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA July 21, 2022, 5:30PM – 7:30PM Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room 07/21/2022 Agenda Page 2 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION (3 MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL) 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 16 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NONE (Continued on next page) Documents to Share: Any document or presentation a member of the public wishes to provide to the Water Commission for its consideration must be emailed to JSong@fcgov.com at least 24 hours before the meeting. Provide Comments via Email: Individuals who are uncomfortable or unable to access the Zoom platform or participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing comments to JSong@fcgov.com at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. If your comments are specific to any of the discussion items on the agenda, please indicate that in the subject line of your email. Staff will ensure your comments are provided to the Water Commission. Documents to Share: If residents wish to share a document or presentation, Staff Liaison Jason Graham’s administrative professional needs to receive those materials via the above email address at least 24 hours before the meeting. Individuals uncomfortable or unable to access the Zoom platform or unable to participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing general public comments you may have to JSong@fcgov.com. The Interim Staff Liaison’s administrative professional will ensure the Water Commission receives your comments. If you have specific comments on any of the discussion items scheduled, please make that clear in the subject line of the email and send 24 hours prior to the meeting. WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA July 21, 2022, 5:30PM – 7:30PM Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room 07/21/2022 Agenda Page 3 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION a. Executive Session Regarding Floodplain Variance Request Process (30 minutes) Aaron Guin, Assistant City Attorney II 8. PUBLIC HEARING a. Floodplain Variance for Advanced Energy (Action: 1 hour) Ken Sampley, Water Utilities Engineering Director Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Floodplain Administrator **Please note that decisions by the Water Commission regarding variance requests are appealable to the City Council. Contact the City Clerk’s Office for information about the City’s appeal guidelines. 9. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports  Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only)  Water Resources Monthly Report (meeting packet only)  Memo: 2022 Spring Water Quality Update – Cache la Poudre Watershed (meeting packet only)  Memo: Floodplain Management Public Information Committee Annual Report (meeting packet only)  Graywater Response from Mayor (meeting packet only) 10. COMMISSIONER REPORTS (Committees, Event attendance, etc.) 11. OTHER BUSINESS (Commissioner concerns, Announcements) 12. ADJOURNMENT DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING June 16, 2022, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hybrid in person at 222 LaPorte Ave and online via Zoom 06/16/202 2 – DRAFT MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:36 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Commissioners Present: Jason Tarry (Chairperson), Greg Steed (Vice Chairperson), John Primsky, Paul Herman, Rick Kahn, Tyler Eldridge, Randy Kenyon • Commissioners Absent - Excused: Jordan Radin, Kent Bruxvoort • Staff Members Present: Theresa Connor, Katherine Martinez, Donnie Dustin, Jen Dial • Members of the Public: None 3. AGENDA REVIEW • Chairperson Jason Tarry briefly summarized items on the agenda 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION • None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Tarry asked for comments and revisions on the May 19 minutes. There were none. Commissioner Eldridge moved to approve the May 19 minutes. Commissioner Steed seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 7-0. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request) i. Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only; no staff presentation) Discussion highlights: A Commissioner commented that the Utilities hasn’t built up reserves as it has in the past. ii. Water Resources Monthly Report (meeting packet only; no staff presentation) DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 06/16/2022 – DRAFT MINUTES Page 2 Discussion highlights: A Commissioner asked if there was anything unusual for this time of year. Water Resources Engineer Donnie Dustin stated no, we have more than enough supplies to meet our needs. A Commissioner asked if Northern Water increased the CBT quota; Mr. Dustin replied yes from 70% to 80%. b. Regular Items (Attachments available upon request) i. Halligan Water Supply Project Quarterly Update (Discussion and Action: 40 minutes) Theresa Connor, Interim Deputy Director, Water Resources & Treatment Discussion Highlights Ms. Connor shared a presentation and facilitated a focus group with the commissioners to answer the following questions (information will be submitted to the communications team): What are your biggest questions about the project? What is your perception of the project? Do you know the difference between Halligan and Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP)? When you think of Halligan, what are the top three things that come to mind? Sampling of questions and comments by commissioners: What are your biggest questions about the project? Commissioner comments: Who from the City is running the project now that the project manager has left? Is having a single FTE (full-time equivalent) employee for the City the best way to manage the project? (Commissioner comments: It’s bigger than one person, which means hiring consultants and dispersing tasks. For a City project manager: anxiety and potential for burnout. ) What is a realistic timeframe for completion of the project? Are you anticipating any major issues or changes? Is there a price point for the City where you would consider an alternative? The nonprofit Save the Poudre River is preparing litigation. What is your perception of the project? specifically for new development in the GMA (growth management area); sensible water security with least environmental impact and best cost benefit. Do you know the difference between Halligan and NISP? Yes, but parts of the general public don’t know. City determined it would be best to go with Halligan reservoir enlargement. DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 06/16/2022 – DRAFT MINUTES Page 3 What are the top three things that come to mind? Commissioner comments: Expensive but with value, in comparison with alternatives. Will yields on north fork be sustainable? Water security; protracted: taking forever. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scheduled to make a final decision in 2025 or 2026; what is preventing them from making a decision? Delegations of City officials and staff have visited Washington, D.C., so it’s not for lack of effort. Insight/Answer on the Corps: They are spending as much money on endangered species as they are on infrastructure, which has driven Corps to examine environmental impact and mitigation. Ms. Connor asked for reaction to draft communication and marketing messages such as, “What is your reaction to the following statement? Storage is important to the City’s water supply system. We are currently dependent on storage in the Colorado Big Thompson system which will be impacted by the continuing drought on the Colorado River…” Commissioner comments: It’s not our water; it comes through the mountains. Storage is a concept that commissioners and staff understand…for the public, talking about batteries is getting the concept across to people. Need to say gallons, not acre-feet, because the public understands gallons. Highlights of final questions and comments: The project’s critical path is through the state permitting process, not the Corps. To fill the expanded Halligan reservoir, it would take only a year if it’s an average flow off the north fork, which is 70,000 acre-feet per year. The reservoir is 7,000 acre-feet. In comparison, NISP will have big fluctuations; in a drought year, the level will go way down. Fifty percent of the City’s water supply is from the Colorado River. When, not if, drought occurs, we’ll be in trouble if we don’t have more storage. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS None 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Introduction of New Water Resources Manager Jen Dial Ms. Dial comes from City of Greeley. Her start date was June 13. She was selected from a very talented and skilled pool of candidates. Ms. Dial has a B.S. and M.A in Geography with which she focused on Snow Hydrology. At the City of Greeley, she worked in the Water Resources Division for more than 10 years administrating and DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 06/16/2022 – DRAFT MINUTES Page 4 accounting for the City's water rights, managing the water supply, and assisting with long-term planning for increased growth. She has been a member on multiple ditch boards, non-profits, and other organizations that deeply value water and taught her the importance of bringing different perspectives together to help have more meaningful conversations about the future of our region's complex water resources. B. Water Commission and Council Priorities Discussion (Attachment available upon request) Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on various related topics including: the goal was to identify no more than five priorities and ask staff to provide presentations. City employee burnout: Is City Council concerned? Commissioners have requested a presentation by Human Resources. The commission agreed on the following priorities: (1) Halligan Water Supply Project (2) Infrastructure, prioritization, and financing (3) Water supply protection and basin restoration (4) City Utilities Department workforce development and retention (5) water conservation C. Draft Memo on Graywater to City Council (Attachment available upon request) Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on various related topics including: City Council priorities bypass the BFO (Budgeting for Outcomes) and allocation process that most other projects have to go through. Graywater is not a good use of resources. Other municipalities agree. The public isn’t interested. Proud of the job we do using raw water at parks; much more effective than trying to use graywater. Water Commission message to Council is that this was an unproductive effort. Water Commission Chairperson Jason Tarry will meet with Mayor Jeni Arndt. Commissioner Kahn moved to approve the memo, as revised during the meeting, from Water Commission to City Council on the Graywater ordinance. Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 7-0. 9. ADJOURNMENT 7:17 p.m. DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 06/16/2022 – DRAFT MINUTES Page 5 These minutes will be approved by the Water Commission on July 21, 2022. Utilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 – fax 970.224.6003 – TDD utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities MEMORANDUM DATE: July 11, 2022 TO: Water Commission Members THROUGH: Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director Jason Graham, Director, Water Utilities Ken Sampley, Director, Stormwater Engineering & Development Review FROM: Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Civil Engineer III RE: Advanced Energy Substantial Improvement and Addition Floodplain Variance Request – 1625 Sharp Point Dr. Variance Request Description The attached application for “Variance to Floodplain Regulations” has been submitted for your consideration and action. The application requests a variance to certain requirements in City Code as cited below: 10-76(2)a. – Additions to a non-residential structure is allowed, provided that all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the requirement of 10-37, are met. 10-76(3)a. - Remodeling or repair of a structure is allowed, provided that, after completion of any cumulative substantial improvement, all applicable requi rements, including, but not limited to, the requirements o f 10-37, are met. 10-37 – Requirement to Elevate 10-76(9) and 10-48 – Emergency Response and Preparedness Pl an VARIANCE REQUEST:  Approve a variance from the requirements to elevate an addition and cumulative substantial improvement that is to be constructed at 1625 Sharp Point Drive in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain).  Approve a variance from the requirement to develop an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan (ERPP) for any addition or cumulative substantial improvement that is to be constructed at 1625 Sharp Point Drive in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). Notice of this hearing has been given in accordance with City Code Section 10-28. DocuSign Envelope ID: CB3696BC-620B-43E2-A3EE-4065B61A673B Page 2 of 5 Project Proposal The project is located at 1625 Sharp Point Dr. The owner of the building is CS1031 Colorado Power, DST and is leased by Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. ("Advanced Energy”). The applicant, Advanced Energy, is proposing a cumulative substantial improvement and an addition. The applicant is requesting a variance from the requirements in Chapter 10 of City Code to elevate an addition and elevate a cumulative substantial improvement and also the requirements to develop an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan. There have been multiple previous remodels that have been permitted for this property (Table 1). Because the Poudre River floodplain has a cumulative substantial improvement requirement over the life of the structure, all remodels are added together to compare with the value of the structure to determine substantial improvement. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) minimum standard for substantial improvement does not look at cumulative improvements. However, because the last two improvements and the upcoming improvements were completed over a short time span (less than a year), FEMA guidance would consider these to be all be one project and therefore be a substantial improvement by minimum FEMA standards. Once a structure meets the substantial improvement threshold (City Code 10-76(3)a), the structure is required to be elevated 2 ft. above the 100-year flood elevation (City Code 10-37). and an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan (City Code 10-76(9) and 10-48) is also required to be developed. As a substitute for the elevation requirement, floodproofing is allowed for non-residential structures (City Code 10-38). Based on the latest appraisal of the property, the value of the structure is $11,635,000. This includes the increased value based on the completed improvements from the January 2022 permit. The previous permitted remodels (Oct. 2010 - June 2022 (pending)) are just below the 50% cumulative substantial improvement threshold of $5,817,500.00. Additional remodel work is expected to be approximately $8 million. Table 1. List of remodel permits and value of improvements. Floodplain Use Permit # Building Permit # Date of Permit Value of Improvements Permit #10928 B1006112 Oct. 7, 2010 $ 19,000.00 Permit #11062 B1111072 Dec. 31, 2011 $ 48,522.00 Permit #11820 B2108322 Jan. 26, 2022 $4,490,483.00 Pending Permit B2202567 Pending $1,259,450.00 TOTAL $5,817,455.00 FEMA RiskMAP Floodplain Information The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and FEMA have been working to update the floodplain mapping on the Poudre River since 2012. This effort is called RiskMAP. Preliminary maps were issued on December 20, 2021, and the 90-day appeal period began on May 18, 2022. DocuSign Envelope ID: CB3696BC-620B-43E2-A3EE-4065B61A673B Page 3 of 5 The appeal period is set to end on August 16, 2022, and the new maps are tentatively expected to be effective in June 2023. However, additional delays may occur. Table 2. RiskMAP Timeline Task Date Preliminary Maps Issued Dec. 20, 2021 Appeal Period Start May 18, 2022 Appeal End Date August 16, 2022 Finalize Mapping Products/Submitted to FEMA Sept. 30, 2022* Reviews Finalized Nov. 2022* Letter of Final Determination December 2022* Effective Map Date June 2023* *Tentative – Subject to Change The effective floodplain mapping for this site shows the property in the Poudre River 100-year floodplain (Zone AE). The RiskMAP mapping shows the property at 1625 Sharp Point to be outside of the mapped 100- and 500-year floodplain. The maps supplied by the applicant show the change in the effective floodplain to the RiskMAP floodplain. The RiskMAP data for this site is less restrictive than the effective mapping. In addition to remapping the Poudre River from Fort Collins to Greeley, the RiskMAP mapping includes other streams such as the Big Thompson. Because the Poudre River mapping is tied to a much larger area of revision, an appeal on another stream could result in a significant delay in map approval. The mapping process has been very long and has already experienced numerous delays. Therefore, the timing of the maps becoming effective is highly uncertain. FEMA Guidance on Utilizing Less Restrictive Data FC Staff spoke with FEMA Region VIII staff to obtain guidance on dealing with less restrictive mapping data and how it might be utilized prior to the maps becoming effective in 2023 or later. FEMA staff referenced FEMA Policy #104-008-2 (Attachment A) regarding the Use of Available Flood Hazard Data. Pages 8-9 of this policy reference the use of less restrictive data and specifically advises not utilizing this data until all appeals have been resolved. Therefore, the staff recommendation includes a condition that any approval of a variance shall not be effective until the appeal period has been concluded and that it is determined that no appeals have been filed that would potentially impact the proposed RiskMAP floodplain mapping in this area. FEMA Region VIII staff did not have a concern with the granting of a variance if it was conditioned on no appeals having been filed. FEMA staff confirmed that a variance would not result in any compliance issues for the City of Fort Collins. A summary of the expected timeline for RiskMAP approval is shown in Table 2. Applicant Information The applicants prepared a variance submittal (Attachment B) including a memo summarizing the reasons the applicant is requesting the variance and the variance application form. DocuSign Envelope ID: CB3696BC-620B-43E2-A3EE-4065B61A673B Page 4 of 5 Hardship Requirement This variance request would have to meet the hardship requirement of Sec. 10-29(f)(2) because the substantial improvement provision is a minimum federal and state standard. Notification to Applicant regarding Flood Insurance It should be noted that the cost of flood insurance could be significantly higher for a structure that has undergone a substantial improvement and has not been protected to the freeboard level. Flood insurance would use the map that is in effect at the time and is not based on a future map such as the RiskMAP until that new map becomes effective. Therefore, it is the applicant’s risk in pursuing this variance and the City of Fort Collins is not responsible for any additional costs associated with flood insurance based on any action taken as part of this variance request. Variance Options In the hearing, the Water Commission will need to hear the evidence and apply the facts to the requirements and standards in City Code. Depending on the Water Commission’s findings and determinations, Water Commission could conceivably approve or deny the floodplain variance for Advanced Energy located at 1625 Sharp Point Dr. requesting a variance from the requirements of City Code Sections 10-76(2)a, 10-76(3)a, 10-37, 10-76(9) and 10-48 which would allow construction of a cumulative substantial improvement and addition without being elevated and without developing an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). Possible conditions the Water Commission may consider are, but are not limited to: 1. The floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the variance with the condition that the floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. The reasons for staff’s recommendation for approval of the variance are: 1. The RiskMAP mapping shows the site to be out of the 100-year floodplain and once the maps are approved, the site will no longer be required to comply with floodplain regulations; and 2. The staff recommendation is specifically based on the timing of the appeal period being completed and that no appeals have been filed that would impact this area. When the mapping reaches this stage, it is far enough along in the process to have confidence that the mapping will not change; and 3. Staff’s discussion with FEMA indicated that FEMA would not be concerned by the granting of the variance and thus would not result in any compliance issues for the City of Fort Collins. Furthermore, FEMA provided specific policy guidance, FEMA Policy #104-008-2, related to the use of less restrictive data and this variance, if the condition is added, would be in compliance with this policy document; and DocuSign Envelope ID: CB3696BC-620B-43E2-A3EE-4065B61A673B Page 5 of 5 4. Not granting the variance would lead to an exceptional hardship for the applicant due to the uncertainty in timing of approval of the RiskMAP maps. The maps have already been delayed numerous times. Because the Poudre River mapping is tied to a much larger area of revision, an appeal on another stream could result in a significant delay in map approval. Draft Motion for the Variance Staff has prepared the following draft motion for the Water Commission’s consideration to facilitate its consideration and decision of the request. I move approval or denial of the floodplain variance for Advanced Energy located at 1625 Sharp Point Dr., requesting a variance from the requirements of City Code Sections 10-76(2)a, 10- 76(3)a, 10-37, 10-76(9) and 10-48 which would allow construction of a cumulative substantial improvement and addition without being elevated and without developing an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). Possible conditions the Board may consider are, but are not limited to, the following:  The floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. I make this motion based on the evidence in the record showing that the relevant factors and standards set forth in Article III, Chapter 10 of the City Code have or have not been met and as required in City Code Section 10-29, the determination that 1) the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; and 2) that there is good and sufficient cause for the variance to be granted; and 3) that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and 4) that the granting of the variance will not result in any increased flood heights, any additional threat to public safety or to public or private property, any extraordinary public expense, any nuisance or trespass, any fraud on or victimization of the public, or any conflict with existing local laws or ordinances. I further note the following in support of this motion of approval or denial: 1. ___________________ 2. ___________________ Pc: Eric Potyondy, Assistant City Attorney Aaron Guin, Assistant City Attorney Attachments: Attachment A -- FEMA Policy #104-008-2 Use of Available Flood Hazard Data Attachment B -- Memo summarizing the reasons the applicant is requesting the variance and the variance application form DocuSign Envelope ID: CB3696BC-620B-43E2-A3EE-4065B61A673B 1 FEMA POLICY: GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF AVAILABLE FLOOD HAZARD INFORMATION FEMA Policy #104-008-2 BACKGROUND The policy is for FEMA Headquarters, Regional program staff, and for the Field Staff at the Joint Field Office (JFO) interacting with states, tribal, and local officials, and other federal agencies and grantees following a Presidential declared disaster. This policy is also for states, tribal, and local officials following a Presidential declared disaster. SUPERSESSION This policy supersedes Policy 108.024.5 Issuance and Use of Advisory Base Flood Elevations in the Implementation of FEMA Assistance issued December 18, 2013. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is fourfold: Section1. To provide available and Advisory Flood Hazard Information for state, tribal, and local officials in order to mitigate future flood damages; Sections 2, 3, and 4: To provide guidance on the use of work maps, Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) or when Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) are available to communities for new and substantially improved/substantially damaged structures. The purpose is also to describe the insurance implications of using this information and using it for Increased Cost of Compliance. (See the Definitions section for the definition of “community.”) Section 5: To provide guidance for FEMA in complying with requirements in 44 CFR Section 9.7(c) and Executive Order (EO) 11988 Sec. 2(a)(1) on the use of best available flood hazard information in making FEMA mitigation and recovery decisions in areas impacted by the severe storms and flooding; Section 6. To acknowledge the coordination responsibilities under the Unified 2 Federal Review Process for federal agencies to communicate and allow for an informed and collaborative approach to unifying environmental and historic preservation compliance reviews for disaster recovery work. PRINCIPLES A. Principle 1. FEMA has the responsibility to help ensure that communities affected by disaster events become less vulnerable to the loss of life and property from future disasters. B. Principle 2. FEMA is committed to providing flood hazard information to guide recovery. FEMA will identify available flood hazard information and develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information in situations where the Effective FIRMs and FIS and Preliminary FIRMs and FIS may not be adequate. C. Principle 3. FEMA is committed to coordinating across program areas and between and among FEMA Headquarters staff, FEMA Regional staff, and the staff at the JFO. D. Principle 4. FEMA is committed to implementing objective 4.1 of the FEMA Strategic Plan by ensuring communities use available and Advisory Flood Hazard Information and analytic tools to make better risk-informed decisions before, during, and after disasters. REQUIREMENTS A. SECTION 1: AVAILABLE AND ADVISORY FLOOD HAZARD INFORMATION Outcome: FEMA will communicate to stakeholders the availability of flood hazard information that will be used to guide recovery in areas impacted by severe storms and flooding. In situations where the Effective or Preliminary FIS and FIRM may not be adequate for use in the recovery process, FEMA may develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information in coordination with states, tribes, local officials and other federal agencies. 1. Available Flood Hazard Information. Because flood risk can change over time, FEMA continually updates its inventory of flood hazard information. Therefore, available flood hazard information can vary depending upon the different phases of data development within the flood hazard mapping project lifecycle (see Attachment A.1 for a summary of project phases and the data developed during each phase). Following a severe weather event, impacted communities rely on FEMA’s flood hazard information to guide recovery efforts. For this reason, it is important to identify and evaluate all available sources of flood hazard information in order to provide stakeholders the appropriate information needed to support recovery. 3 a. Identify: The identification of available flood hazard information may begin while the severe weather event is still occurring. Immediately following a Presidential disaster declaration, the FEMA Region’s Mitigation Division (Risk Analysis Branch) should develop an Available Flood Hazard Information Table and Exhibit (for examples, see Attachments A.2 and A.3) containing data that can be used both internally to make decisions and externally to communicate available flood hazard information to stakeholders. The following information should be identified for each county/community/jurisdiction in the impacted area: i. Effective FIRM date(s) ii. Active or Completed Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) iii. Preliminary FIRM date(s) iv. Ongoing Study Identification (i.e. Watershed/Study Name, Countywide or Physical Map Revision (PMR) Name) v. Flood Hazard Mapping Project Phase (for ongoing studies) vi. Detailed Status of Flood Hazard Mapping Project Phase (for ongoing studies) including next milestone and its projected date vii. Available Flood Risk Products b. Evaluate: Once the Available Flood Hazard Information Table and Exhibit have been prepared, the FEMA Region’s Mitigation Division (Risk Analysis Branch) should evaluate the status of all available flood hazard information in the impacted communities and determine what data should be used to guide recovery. For ongoing studies that are in the Data Development and Sharing phase of the Flood Hazard Map project lifecycle, FEMA should coordinate with the mapping partner and state, tribe, and local entities to evaluate the feasibility of accelerating project schedules to the Preliminary FIRM stage if appropriate. Considerations include: i. whether work map products have been completed and shared with the community during a Flood Risk Review meeting, and if so, were any significant technical concerns raised? ii. whether the community was provided a 30 day period to provide data to FEMA that can be used to supplement or modify the existing data, to comply with Section 30 (C) of the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act iii. if the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses have been completed and passed all quality review processes 4 iv. the availability of local, state and/or federal leverage data v. the need for additional or improved data vi. the current schedule for Preliminary FIRM issuance vii. post-event changes to hydrology and/or hydraulics based on impacts from flood, fire, earthquake, and/or other disaster event(s) Based on the evaluation of the impacts versus benefits of the considerations analysis, FEMA will determine to accelerate the ongoing project or utilize other methods of determining available information. For example, if FEMA determines that accelerating a project to the Preliminary FIRM phase is not feasible, or if there is a need to provide supplemental flood hazard information to support recovery efforts, FEMA may develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information as outlined in Sub-Section A.2 of this policy. c. Communicate: Once FEMA has identified available flood hazard information and evaluated the feasibility of accelerating to Preliminary FIRM phase or developing new data, the FEMA Region’s Mitigation Division (Risk Analysis Branch) should communicate to stakeholders the available sources of flood hazard information to guide recovery. Available flood hazard information should be communicated from the Region to the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and stakeholders via a Memorandum on Available Flood Hazard Information (see Attachment A.3). The memorandum should provide a table and exhibit (map) summarizing available flood hazard information in the affected area, and guidance related to the availability of current and future flood hazard information as follows: i. “The status of the Effective FIS and FIRM, active or completed Letters of Map Revision (LOMR), and available Preliminary FEMA flood hazard information for all [Insert counties/communities/other jurisdictions] in [Insert state] are identified on Table 1 and Exhibit 1. It should be noted that available data may change over the course of time, and this information may be updated periodically in the future to reflect these changes. The most current versions of Table 1 and Exhibit 1 are available at this website: [Insert appropriate FEMA/state/local website]: ii. FEMA is committed to providing Available Flood Hazard Information to guide recovery. In situations where the Effective or Preliminary FIS and FIRM may not be adequate for use in the recovery process, FEMA may 5 develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information and release Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE) in coordination with state officials.” d. Provide: The FEMA Region should consider using local, state or FEMA GIS Data Services such as the GeoPlatform (https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html) to maintain a summary table and exhibit of available flood hazard information in disaster designated communities. Further, FEMA will direct communities and Federal stakeholders to the Flood Map Service Center (MSC) to download available Effective and Preliminary flood hazard information for declared disaster areas (https://msc.fema.gov/). 2. Advisory Flood Hazard Information. Once the available flood hazard information has been determined and the locations where the delivery of accelerated Preliminary FIRMs are known, then FEMA will determine if there is a need to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information which may include Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs). a. The decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall be made in a timely manner and be based on an evaluation of the need for such information, which is directly informed by the timely ability to deliver advisory information to influence recovery. The decision making process includes: a review of the event to assess the adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary flood hazard information; a technical analysis of the available data elements including those data being collected during and after the event; and an assessment of whether and how the data would be used at the state and local levels. See Attachment A.4, Advisory Flood Hazard Information, for a detailed description of the data considerations, decision making process, and considerations for release of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. b. The FEMA Regional Office (Regional Administrator and Mitigation Division, Risk Analysis Branch) shall collaborate with the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and Hazard Mitigation Branch Director (and other appropriate staff) at the Joint Field Office (JFO), the State Coordinating Officer (SCO), and tribal and/or local jurisdictions to determine the need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information to support recovery. The decision to not develop new Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall be made by the Regional Administrator and Mitigation Division, Risk Analysis Branch, in consultation with the FCO and SCO. The decision to develop new Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall require approval by the Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation. 6 c. If the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information and associated products will be funded by the Disaster Fund through the JFO, then concurrence from the FCO is essential. B. SECTION 2: WORK MAPS, PRELIMINARY FIRMs AND FIS, OR WHEN ABFEs ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITIES FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PURPOSES Outcome: In order to minimize future flood damages, the goal of this policy is for communities participating in the NFIP to use work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, or when ABFEs are available where the Effective FIRM and FIS may not represent current flooding conditions. Information about work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, and ABFEs referenced in this section is described in Section 1 and Attachments A.1 and A.4. 1. Using information from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, or when ABFEs are available for floodplain management purposes. a. For Zone A: Zone A are those parts of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) where BFEs or floodways have not been developed on the community’s Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FHBMs) or FIRM and FIS. In areas designated as Zone A, communities are required to apply the provision of 44 CFR §60.3(b)(4) of the NFIP Regulations. The information obtained under Subparagraph §60.3(b)(4) constitute available information which requires that communities: Obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a Federal, State, or other source... [44 CFR §60.3(b)(4)] Information obtained are to be used by communities as criteria for requiring that new and substantially improved/substantially damaged structures have their lowest floors elevated to or above the BFE (non-residential structures can also be floodproofed to or above the BFE) and for prohibiting any encroachments in a floodway that would result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood discharge. The information obtained should be used by communities as long as they reasonably reflect flooding conditions expected during the base flood (1% annual chance flood), are not known to be scientifically or technically incorrect, and represent the best information available. Information from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS or ABFEs, 7 when available, constitute available information under 44 CFR §60.3(b)(4). The requirement at Subparagraph 60.3(b)(4) is an important floodplain management tool for reducing flood damages in areas where a detailed study to develop BFEs and designate floodways on rivers and streams has not been conducted. Communities are required to reasonably utilize work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when ABFEs are available under the section of their ordinance that applies to this subparagraph. A community is allowed discretion in using this information only to the extent that the technical or scientific validity of the work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available is questioned. In Zone A areas, the rationale for requiring reasonable utilization of information from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when BFEs are available is premised on the absence of BFE or floodway information on Effective FIRMs and FIS and the need to protect new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structures from flood damage. The use of the qualifier "reasonable" at subparagraph §60.3(b)(4) reflects FEMA's statutory obligation to provide the public an opportunity to appeal the proposed elevation information. If a community decides not to use the BFE or floodway information from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, or when ABFEs are available because it is questioning the information through a valid appeal, the community must continue to ensure that structures are constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damages in accordance with the floodplain management requirements under subparagraphs §60.3(a)(3) and (4). Subparagraph §60.3(a)(3) requires communities to review permit applications to determine whether proposed building sites are reasonably safe from flooding. If a proposed building site is floodprone, communities are to require that new or substantial improved/substantially damaged structures are adequately anchored, be constructed with flood resistant materials, be constructed to minimize flood damages, and have attendant utilities protected during the conditions of flooding. Subparagraph §60.3(a)(4) requires communities to review subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, to determine whether proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding. If a subdivision proposal or other proposed new development is 8 floodprone, communities are required to review such proposals to assure potential flood damages are minimized, utilities are constructed to minimize or eliminate damages, and adequate drainage is provided to reduce the exposure to flood hazards. When all appeals have been resolved and a notice of final flood elevation determination has been provided in a Letter of Final Determination (LFD), communities are required to use the BFE and floodway information for regulating floodplain development in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3(b)(4) since the information represents the best information available. This includes meeting the standards at 44 CFR 60.3(c), and (d) pertaining to the elevation of residential and nonresidential structures (or dry floodproofing non-residential structures) and floodways. Communities must regulate floodplain development using the information from the FIRMs and the FIS under 60.3(b)(4) until such time as the community has adopted the revised FIRM and FIS. b. For Zones AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, and V1-30 The NFIP floodplain management criteria do not require communities to use BFE and floodway information from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available in Zones AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, and V1-30 in lieu of using the BFE and floodway information contained on an Effective FIRM and FIS. Because communities are afforded the opportunity to appeal BFE information after issuance of a Preliminary FIRM and FIS in accordance with Section 1363 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, a presumption of validity is given to the Effective BFEs that have gone through the formal statutory appeals process and which have been adopted by the community. However, in cases where BFEs increase in the restudied area, communities have the responsibility to ensure that new or substantially improved/ substantial damaged structures are protected, particularly if the increases in BFEs are significant. While FEMA cannot mandate or require a community to use BFE and floodway information from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available or to use the information at the time FEMA issues the LFD to the community until such time that the revised FIRMs and FIS have been adopted, FEMA encourages communities to reasonably utilize this information in instances where BFEs increase and floodways are revised to ensure that the health, safety, and property of their citizens are protected. In cases where BFEs decrease, the community should not use work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are 9 available to regulate floodplain development until the LFD has been issued or at least until all appeals have been resolved. If the work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and FIS or when ABFEs are available provides information that BFEs are decreasing, but a valid appeal actually results in higher BFEs, the community could place its citizens at a greater flood risk by using work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available to regulate floodplain development. Also, these structures could be subject to increased flood insurance premiums. In communities where floodways have not been designated for all or some of the flooding sources, but BFEs have been provided, communities are required to apply the criteria at 44 CFR §60.3(c)(10): Require until a floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A-30 and AE on the community’s FIRM, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community. [44 CFR 60.3(c)(10)]. However, if work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and FIS or when ABFEs are available and designated floodways where none had previously existed, communities should reasonably utilize this information in lieu of applying the encroachment performance standard of subparagraph §60.3(c)(10) since the information from the work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available represents information that could minimize any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. By utilizing the floodway information from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and FIS or when ABFEs are available, communities avoid the expense of conducting the hydraulic analysis necessary to demonstrate compliance with 60.3 (c)(10). In addition, communities can minimize flood damages by ensuring that the flood carrying capacity of the floodway is preserved since obstruction of floodways can significantly increase potential flooding upstream (§60.3(d)(3). c. For Zones B, C, and X The NFIP floodplain management criteria do not require the use of 10 BFE and floodway information from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available under 44 CFR 60.3(b)(4) for an area or areas within Zones B, C, or X on the community's FIRM that are being revised to Zone AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, or V1-30. While FEMA cannot mandate or require a community to use the information from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available pertaining to areas designated as Zone B, C, or X as available information or use the information at the time FEMA issues the LFD to the community, FEMA encourages communities to reasonably utilize this information to ensure that the health, safety, and property of their citizens are protected. 2. Ordinance Requirements: Adoption of the Revised FIRMs and FIS a. For Zone A When all appeals have been resolved and a notice of a final flood elevation determination has been provided in a LFD for areas previously designated as Zone A, communities are required to use the BFE and floodway from the revised FIRM and FIS for regulating floodplain development in accordance with subparagraph §60.3(b)(4) since the information represents the best information available. This includes meeting the standards of §60.3(c), (d), and/or (e) pertaining to the floodplain requirements of the NFIP for new and substantially improved/substantially damaged structures. Communities must regulate floodplain development using the information on the revised FIRM and in the FIS under subparagraph §60.3(b)(4) until such time as the community has adopted the revised FIRM and FIS. b. For Zones AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, V1-30, B, C, and X Communities are given six months from the date of the LFD in which to adopt the revised FIRM and FIS. This is in keeping with FEMA's statutory obligation to provide a reasonable time for the community to adopt floodplain management regulations consistent with the revised FIRM and FIS. Subparagraph §59.24(a) of the NFIP Regulations provides for a six month compliance period in which the community must adopt the revised FIRM and FIS and amend existing regulations to incorporate any additional floodplain management requirements under §60.3. Floodplain management ordinances generally contain a section entitled "Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard" in which the revised FIRMs and FIS are cited. Language in the 11 ordinance may include any subsequent amendments thereto (i.e., to include any subsequent revised FIRM and FIS); however, this language should not be used as the basis for a community to use the Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available prior to the issuance of the LFD. If a community chooses to use Preliminary FIRMs and FIS or when ABFEs are available prior to the LFD being issued or use the information after a LFD is issued but before the community has adopted the revised FIRM and FIS, it is advised that the community adopt this information before its use. C. SECTION 3: INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS OF USING AVAILABLE AND ADVISORY FLOOD HAZARD INFORMATION Outcome: This section explains the insurance implications when using work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, or when ABFEs are available. Information about work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, and ABFEs referenced in this section is described in Section 1 and Attachments A.1 and A.4. Zone A For a new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structure, communities can use information from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and FIS, or when ABFEs are available for completing the Elevation Certificate in Zone A areas. The flood insurance policies for new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structures in Zone A that are rated using BFE data from work maps, Preliminary FIRM and the FIS, and when ABFEs are available will often qualify for significantly lower insurance rates than policies that are rated without a BFE. Zones AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, and V1-30 For flood insurance rating purposes, in Zones AE, A1-30, AH, AO, VE, or V1-30, new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structures are rated based on the BFE and FIRM Zone in effect on the date of construction until the revised FIRM becomes effective. This is the case regardless of whether the work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS, or available ABFEs indicate that the proposed BFEs will increase or decrease. If a community chooses to use BFEs from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available for a new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structure, the flood insurance rate is still based on the BFE and FIRM Zone in effect on the date of construction. The flood insurance rate will be based on the FIRM Zone in effect and the elevation difference between the BFE in effect and the elevation of the 12 lowest floor. Therefore, if a new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structure is built to the proposed BFE from a work map, Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when ABFE are available and this BFE is higher than the BFE in effect, the flood insurance rate may be significantly lower. In this case, the insured will qualify for a premium pro rata refund once the revised FIRM and FIS are effective. However, a new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structure built to a BFE from a work map, Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when ABFE are available is lower than the BFE in effect it may result in a significantly higher flood insurance rate. Zones B, C, and X For flood insurance rating purposes, new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structures are rated based on the FIRM Zone in effect (i.e., Zone B, C, or X) on the date of start of construction. If a community chooses to use BFEs from work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and FIS, or when ABFEs are available for a new or substantially improved/substantially damaged structure, the flood insurance rate is still based on the FIRM Zone in effect (i.e., Zone B, C or X) on the date of construction. D. SECTION 4: INCREASED COST OF COMPLIACE (ICC) COVERAGE Outcome: To provide information on how ICC uses available and Advisory Flood Hazard Information for mitigation purposes. Information about Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available referenced in this section is described in Section 1 and Attachments A.1 and A.4. ICC coverage is a standard coverage in most NFIP policies. The coverage provides up to $30,000 to help property owners reduce the risk of damage from future floods by elevating residential and nonresidential structures (or floodproofing nonresidential structures only), demolishing, or relocating their structure to meet the requirements of a community’s floodplain management ordinance. If the community adopts and enforces a Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when ABFEs are available, ICC benefits will be available to elevate residential and nonresidential structures (or floodproofing nonresidential structures only), demolish, or relocate their structure. If the community does not adopt and enforce a Preliminary FIRM and FIS or when ABFEs are available, ICC benefits will only pay to elevate residential and nonresidential structures (or floodproofing nonresidential structures only) to the BFE on the Effective FIRM and FIS or BFE plus freeboard if the community has adopted this standard. 13 The community must declare the building to be substantially damaged by flood by the time the repair permit is issued by the community. The NFIP requires that the ICC claim be filed as soon as the property owner is notified by the community that the building has been substantially damaged by flood. For additional information on ICC see the following website: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/floodplain/fema301.pdf E. SECTION 5: USE OF BEST AVAILABLE FLOOD HAZARD INFORMATION FOR MITIGATION AND RECOVERY DECISIONS Outcome: FEMA will use the best available flood hazard information to determine the flood zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) when making mitigation and recovery decisions for construction and repair. Information about Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or Advisory Flood Hazard Information referenced in this section is described in Section 1 and Attachments A.1 and A.4. 1. This section provides guidance for FEMA in complying with requirements in 44 CFR Section 9.7(c) and Executive Order (EO) 11988 Section 2(a)(1) on the use of best available flood hazard information for FEMA actions. 2. For Public Assistance, this policy applies to projects for which funds have not yet been obligated as of the date of this Policy. For Hazard Mitigation Assistance, this policy applies to disasters declared on or after the date of this Policy or application periods that start on or after this Policy. 3. The best available flood hazard information must be determined for each proposed project site. 4. To determine the best available information, FEMA will first identify the available sources of flood hazard information for a proposed project site by consulting: a. the Effective and/or Preliminary FIRMs and FIS as identified in the latest Available Flood Hazard Information Table, and b. the Advisory Flood Hazard Information, if developed. 5. If only one source of flood hazard information is available for the proposed project site, then that source is the best available information. 14 6. Where multiple sources of flood hazard information are available for a proposed project site, such as where there is both an Effective and Preliminary FIRM or both an Effective FIRM and Advisory Flood Hazard Information, FEMA will compare each source. The best available information is the source which provides the more restrictive flood hazard zone, the highest Base Flood Elevation, and/or the greatest discharge. 7. Projects funded by FEMA must be designed to the best available information or a State or local floodplain management standard, whichever is more restrictive. 8. If additional flood hazard information is needed, FEMA will seek additional information from Federal, State, or local sources. Examples of situations where additional flood hazard information may be needed are where a proposed project site is in an area where FEMA has not conducted a flood study, where a FIRM and FIS do not provide a Base Flood Elevation, or where a FIRM and FIS do not delineate the flood hazard boundaries in the vicinity of the proposed site. If no flood hazard information can be found from existing sources, FEMA will seek the services of a professional engineer with the ability to develop information about the floodplain. F. SECTION 6: USE OF BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION FOR UNIFIED FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS Outcome: The Unified Federal Review Advisor will message and share flood hazard information standards and sources of available information to ensure all agencies completing EHP compliance reviews have a unified understanding of agencies’ standards. 1. The Unified Federal Review (UFR) Process enhances the ability of federal agencies to collaborate and expedite the reviews of disaster recovery projects for compliance with environmental and historic preservation (EHP) requirements. 2. The UFR Advisor serves as a liaison and coordinator between disaster recovery agencies in the field, and helps to identify opportunities to expedite environmental and historic preservation compliance and promote unification during disaster recovery. a. The UFR Advisor serves an important role in the messaging and sharing of flood hazard information standards and sources of available information with other federal agencies’ EHP compliance staff, ensuring all agencies completing EHP compliance reviews have a unified understanding of agencies’ standards. 15 b. The UFR Advisor may also assist/coordinate federal agencies’ application of available information for specific projects when necessary, facilitating agreements between multiple agencies funding the same/similar facilities to allow for a unified review standard. More information on the Unified Federal Review Process can be located at the following web link: http://www.fema.gov/unified-federal-environmental-and-historic- preservation-review-presidentially-declared-disasters. Roy E. Wright Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation October 11, 2016 16 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REVIEW CYCLE FEMA Policy, insert FEA #, Guidance on the Use of Available Flood Hazard Information, will be reviewed, reissued, revised, or rescinded within four years of the issue date. AUTHORITIES A. National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as amended B. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 C. Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended D. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 REFERENCES A. Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management, as amended B. Executive Order 13690 Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, January 30, 2015 C. Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988 - Floodplain Management as amended and Executive Order 13690 Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, issued January 30, 2015 D. Floodplain Management Bulletin 1-98 – Use of Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Data As Available Data ATTACHMENTS A. Attachment A.1: Flood Hazard Mapping Project Phases and Available Work Products B. Attachment A.2: Available Flood Hazard Information Table (Internal) C. Attachment A.3. Memorandum on Available Flood Hazard Information D. Attachment A.4. Advisory Flood Hazard Information and Advisory Base Flood Elevations 17 DEFINITIONS A. For purpose of Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4, this Policy will refer to “community” which is defined in 44 CFR §59.1 Definitions as: “…any state or area or political subdivision thereof, or any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or authorized native organization, which has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction.” MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring of this policy will take place throughout implementation of the policy. An evaluation will take place at the close of the disaster to determine if any adjustment needs to occur with the policy. QUESTIONS Direct questions to FEMA-Floodplain-Management-Division@fema.dhs.gov Attachment A.1 Page 1 of 4 Attachment A.1: Flood Hazard Mapping Project Phases and Available Information Project Planning: W ith input from State, tribal and local leaders, a watershed (or other project area definition) is reviewed to determine the need for new or updated flood hazard information. The data developed may be used to revise or update existing Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and/or create other flood risk products and datasets. The decision to initiate a project is based on the current flood risk in the area, available data, increases in development, population growth, population affected and other related factors. Discovery: Discovery occurs when watersheds of interest have been selected for further examination in coordination with Federal and State-level stakeholders. Discovery activities include data collection and engagement with local stakeholders, the State, Tribal nations, Other Federal Agencies, non-profit entities, and others. Discovery provides for the exchange of information among various stakeholders. The process includes one or more meetings with stakeholders to better understand the watershed, deciding whether a Flood Hazard Mapping Project is appropriate, and, if so, collaborating on the scope of the project in detail. A Discovery Map and Discovery Report are produced as part of the Discovery Phase. If a Flood Hazard Mapping Project is appropriate for the watershed, a large scale automated engineering (LSAE) analysis may be performed and a project scope and charter will also be finalized. Datasets and information available at this point in the Flood Risk Project timeline include: a. Large Scale Automated Engineering (LSAE) Data – The LSAE process uses available data and automated modeling techniques early in the Flood Hazard Mapping Project process to produce estimated flood hazard boundaries for the 1% annual chance recurrence interval at a minimum. In some cases, the LSAE datasets are prepared for multiple storm frequencies providing additional flood recurrence intervals for the watershed of interest. The LSAE data may be leveraged to provide more detailed analysis and inform a future update of regulatory and/or non-regulatory flood risk datasets and products. b. Discovery Report & Maps –A Discovery Map and Discovery Report are produced that documents the local knowledge and insight related to existing flood risk and includes potential projects, detailing data existing in the watershed of interest. Locally generated study and engineering analysis identified during Discovery is also captured within the Discovery Report and Map. Attachment A.1 Page 2 of 4 Data Development and Sharing: Once a Flood Hazard Mapping Project is initiated, FEMA and its mapping partners move forward with preparing the data, maps, and flood risk products. These may include the regulatory FIRM and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report used for floodplain management and insurance requirements and non-regulatory flood risk products and datasets which can be used by local officials to support mitigation and community planning and public outreach efforts. a. Base Data – The planimetric, or horizontal representation, of map features that show georeferenced locations and contain attribute information (i.e., names) about the items. A base map does not include topographic or elevation data b. Digital Elevation Data – Includes topographic data and ground survey acquired and/or collected for the purpose of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, floodplain delineation, and the development of Flood Risk Datasets. c. Field Survey – Includes cross section and structure (i.e. bridges, culverts, etc) survey information acquired and/or collected for the purpose of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, floodplain delineation, and the development of Flood Risk Datasets. d. Hydrologic and Hydraulic Data – Hydrologic analysis determines the discharge-frequency relations along the flooding source and hydraulic analysis determines the extent of the flooding and the elevations associated with the water surface of each recurrence interval studied. e. Coastal Data – Offshore coastal analyses typically include a characterization of extreme water levels associated with hurricanes, storms, high tides, El Nino, and other large-scale coastal phenomenon contributing to major coastal flooding. These analyses may also include contributions from wave setup. Results are typically multi-frequency water level data. Onshore coastal analyses typically include analysis of erosion, wave runup and overtopping, and the overland propagation of waves but may also include analysis of other coastal hazards. Results are typically the identification of the Primary Frontal Dune, Base Flood Elevations, Coastal High Hazard Areas and other Flood Hazard Zones, and the Limit of Moderate Wave Action. Risk Awareness and Mitigation Outreach: An optional Flood Risk Review Meeting may be organized prior to the issuance of preliminary FIRMs to provide community officials a chance to review and provide early feedback on draft versions of the work maps and in some cases flood risk products and datasets. Using the information provided, community officials can begin identifying mitigation opportunities in their community and communicating with the public about possible changes in flood risk. Communities may also be engaged in a Resilience Meeting that may take place before or after the release of preliminary FIRMs to help communities plan for the future. During this meeting, FEMA, State, and local leaders discuss factors contributing to flood hazard mapping updates in the project area, ways the flood risk products and datasets can support ongoing risk assessment and planning efforts, and work to identify additional ways to reduce flood risk. Relationships built during the course of Flood Hazard Mapping Projects can and should be leveraged to support disaster recovery. a. Work Maps – Prior to issuing Preliminary FIRMs, FEMA may provide work maps during a Flood Risk Review Meeting to give community officials the opportunity to review the results of the flood hazard information. b. Flood Risk Datasets - Flood Risk Datasets are a component of the flood risk products. Flood risk products help community members and officials view and visualize their local Attachment A.1 Page 3 of 4 flood risk, allowing communities to make informed decisions about reducing flood loss and mitigating potential damage from flood hazards. Flood Risk Datasets may include; i. Changes Since Last FIRM shows where the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) has changed since the last effective FIRM; ii. Areas of Mitigation Interest communicates where conditions have contributed to the severity of flooding losses, allowing for better prioritization of flood mitigation efforts and use of funds; iii. Flood Depth and Analysis Grids communicate the depth and velocity of floodwaters as well as the probability of an area being flooded over time; iv. Flood Risk Assessment Data provides an assessment of potential financial consequences and other impacts associated with structures located in a SFHA. This data also enables communities to make informed decisions regarding future land development and community infrastructure. v. Other Flood Risk Datasets that communicate additional hazard information such as the location and relative size of Primary Frontal Dunes, areas exposed to floods greater than the 1% annual chance, and identification of Coastal A Zones. Preliminary NFIP Map Release: At this stage of the Flood Hazard Mapping Project, FEMA releases a Preliminary FIRM which provides the public with an early look at the updated flood hazards in the community and how their effective FIRM might change when the updated information becomes effective. Community officials are provided the opportunity to review and comment on the Preliminary FIRM, Database and FIS Report. These Preliminary products are available at the FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) www.msc.fema.gov. a. Preliminary FIRM - The Preliminary map of a community on which FEMA has delineated the boundaries of the SFHA and base flood elevation (where determined), and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. b. Preliminary FIRM Database - The Preliminary FIRM Database stores the preliminary digital GIS data used in the FIRM production process, as well as tabular information inside the Preliminary FIS Report. The Preliminary FIRM Database provides a standard, systematic method for FEMA to distribute comprehensive details of flood hazard identification studies to the public and others in digital format. c. Preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) - A compilation and presentation of flood hazard data for specific watercourses, lakes, and coastal flood hazard areas within a community. The Preliminary FIS Report contains detailed information of the FIS including flood elevation data in flood profiles and data tables. Community Engagement: After the release of preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports, FEMA often holds meetings to present them first to community officials (Consultation Coordination Officer [CCO] Meeting) and then the general public (Open House). Any changes in flood risk will be explained and participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the products. Appeal Process: After the Final CCO Meeting, a 90-day appeal period for communities with new or updated flood hazards begins after a public notification process is completed. During this period, communities or the public (through their community officials) may submit data to revise the FIRM if they believe the Preliminary FIRM is scientifically or technically incorrect. FEMA will review all appeals and, if necessary, make changes to the Preliminary FIRM, FIRM Database, and/or FIS, based on the information submitted. Attachment A.1 Page 4 of 4 Issuance of Letter of Final Determination (LFD): After all appeals are resolved, FEMA sends community officials the LFD six months before the new FIRM and FIS report become effective. During this six-month period, communities must adopt or amend their floodplain management ordinance to reflect the new maps. Effective FIRM: Once the new effective FIRM takes effect, the FIRM and FIS are available through FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (MSC) and will affect floodplain development requirements and/or flood insurance rates. a. Effective FIRM – The official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated the boundaries of the SFHA and base flood elevation (where determined), and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. b. Effective FIRM Database - The FIRM Database stores the digital GIS data used in the FIRM production process, as well as tabular information inside the FIS Report. The FIRM Database provides a standard, systematic method for FEMA to distribute comprehensive details of flood hazard mapping studies to the public and others in digital format. c. Effective FIS - A compilation and presentation of flood hazard data for specific watercourses, lakes, and coastal flood hazard areas within a community. When a flood study is completed for the NFIP, the information and maps are assembled into an FIS. The FIS Report contains detailed information of the FIS including flood elevation data in flood profiles and data tables. Attachment A.2: Available Flood Hazard Information Table (Internal)Current as of: [Insert DATE]CountyEffective FIRM DatePreliminary FIRM DateOngoing StudyIn Declared Area (Y/N)Flood Hazard Mapping Project PhaseDetailed Status within Flood Hazard Mapping Project PhaseNext Milestone and Projected DateCounty Name Effective DatePreliminary FIRM DateWatershed Name, PMR Name, CountywideCounty Name Effective DatePreliminary FIRM Date*Watershed Name, PMR Name, CountywideCounty Name Effective Date** Watershed Name, PMR Name, CountywideCounty Name (NI) Effective DateAvailable Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) can be obtained at FEMA’s website: www.msc.fema.gov* estimated preliminary FIRM date; preliminary FIRMs not yet available** no estimated preliminary FIRM date; preliminary FIRMs not yet available(NI) County not included in Federal Disaster Declaration [Insert FEMA‐####‐DR][Insert FEMA‐####‐DR]TABLE 1. FEMA Flood Hazard Information Available in [Insert STATE] Counties 1 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20472 Attachment A.3 Page 1 of 3 DATE MEMORANDUM FOR: [Insert FCO] FROM: [Insert FEMA Region and JFO HM Branch Director] SUBJECT: Available Flood Hazard Information for [Insert STATE] re: [Insert FEMA-####- DR] in complying with FEMA Policy [Insert Policy Number 2016-X…] Purpose of memorandum Background Flood Hazard Information in STATE Affected Communities The status of the effective the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), active or completed Letters of Map Revision (LOMR), and available Preliminary FEMA flood hazard information for all [Insert counties/communities/other jurisdictions] in [Insert state] are identified on Table 1 and Exhibit 1. It should be noted that available data may change over the course of time, and this information may be updated periodically in the future to reflect these changes. The most current versions of Table 1 and Exhibit 1 are available at this website: [Insert appropriate FEMA/state/local website] FEMA is committed to providing Available Flood Hazard Information to guide recovery. In situations where the effective or Preliminary FIS and FIRM may not be adequate for use in the recovery process, FEMA may develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information and release Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE) in coordination with state officials. Table 1: Available Flood Hazard Information County Effective FIRM Date Preliminary FIRM Date Ongoing Study County Name Effective Date 4/1/2016* Watershed Name, PMR Name, Countywide County Name (NI) Effective Date County Name Effective Date ** Watershed Name, PMR Name, Countywide Available Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) can be obtained at FEMA’s website: www.msc.fema.gov/ * estimated preliminary FIRM date; preliminary FIRMs not yet available ** no estimated preliminary FIRM date; preliminary FIRMs not yet available (NI) County not included in Federal Disaster Declaration [Insert FEMA-####-DR] Attachment cc: Attachment A.3 Page 2 of 3 Example TABLE 1: Attachment A.3 Page 3 of 3 Example EXHIBIT 1 Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 1 of 11 Introduction Following a Presidential declared disaster, FEMA strives to provide communities with the most current hazard information to consider in supporting the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure and non- residential and residential structures. The decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information, which may include Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs), is informed by the ability to deliver advisory information in a timely manner to influence recovery. This requires collaboration between the FEMA Regional Office, the Joint Field Office (JFO) including the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), the State Coordinating Officer (SCO), and the impacted communities. The decision to develop new Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall require approval from the Deputy Associate Administrator of Insurance and Mitigation, and if the development of these associated products will be funded by the Disaster Fund through the JFO, then concurrence from the FCO is essential. The timely decision making process should be based on an assessment of the need for such information, a review of the event and the available data to assess the adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary Flood Hazard Information, and an understanding of the communities anticipated use of the data. This document highlights three main phases to assist in making the decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information: the Decision-Making Process, the Final Decision, and the Release of Advisory Information. I. Decision-Making Process In general, the uses of Advisory Flood Hazard Information include supporting rebuilding efforts and providing the available data at the time of reconstruction for siting and elevating critical facilities and other Public Assistance projects, planning and evaluating Mitigation Grant projects, informing any new and substantially improved/substantially damaged structures in the areas receiving the data, and increasing community resiliency. Knowing how Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be used by different stakeholders can assist in determining whether the data should be developed and in what format. The users and uses of Advisory Flood Hazard Information may differ depending on the type of severe weather event; the Tribal Nations, state(s), Commonwealths, or territories affected; the region of the country; and other factors. A list of stakeholders and how they may use Advisory Flood Hazard Information are described below: • Building and permit officials, local floodplain administrators, local elected officials, and community planners can use the information to make key decisions on how their communities plan for the future and guide rebuilding efforts. States can use the information to assist communities and address their structures and infrastructure. These stakeholders also have a role in ensuring compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain management requirements and may be used by other programs. • Builders (architects, engineers, and the construction community) can use this information to assist their clients, such as business-owners and home-owners, with rebuilding decisions. Builders and property owners are required to obtain building permits from the local permit office and to work alongside local officials in using this information when rebuilding. Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 2 of 11 • Recovery Support Functions for community planning and capacity building, infrastructure, and housing may rely on hazard information to guide overall planning efforts during the rebuilding and recovery process under the National Disaster Recovery Framework, supporting communities in their recovery efforts. • Federal agency partners may use the information to comply with the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) of Executive Order 11988, as amended. • Local insurance agents in affected areas may use this information to inform business- and property-owners who are making decisions on insurance coverage that may be needed if/when this information is depicted on Effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information is a four-step process. If it is determined that there is not a need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information in Step 1, or that advisory information cannot be delivered in a timely manner to support recovery, then there may be no need to move on to Step 2; if there is a need identified in Step 1, but the review of the data in Step 2 shows that the current available data is sufficient for recovery, then there may be no need to move on to Step 3, and so on. 1. Need •Level of damage to buildings •Level of change to flood hazard characteristics •Focus on timeliness of ability to deliver information that informs recovery 2. Data •Event data •Available data •Adequacy of Effective or Preliminary data 3. Options •Content of Advisory Information •Format of Advisory Information 4. Engage •Federal, state and local needs •Timing Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 3 of 11 Step 1: Need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be needed when the Region determines that there has been significant damages and when there will therefore be efforts during recovery to repair and rebuild public infrastructure and non-residential and residential structures. At this stage, the topography and geographic conditions must be considered. For example, if there were a large fire or mudslide that dramatically changed the geomorphological components of the area and thus influences the flow dynamics in a manner different than what is represented by the current Base (1-percent-annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), then there may be a need to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information to inform long-term recovery. If the damages were not considered to be significant causing large scale rebuilding in the impacted area, if the event did not change the characteristics of the 1-percent-annual-chance-event, if data are not needed for compliance with other requirements, and/or if advisory information cannot be developed within a relatively short amount of time to inform recovery decisions, then the need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be low and the decision process may end at this stage. Step 2: Review of Data and Assessment of the Adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary FIRM If it is determined that there is a need (Step 1), then an assessment of the available data must be conducted which will assist in an assessment of the adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary FIRM. In addition, an inventory of existing topography and available engineering models and methodologies can assist in determining the existing technical data that can be leveraged for Advisory Flood Hazard Information, if developed. There are generally three types of data that may be available for review: FEMA project data, data from outside sources, and event-related data. •Flood hazard data •Work Maps •Modeling A. Available flood hazard data from ongoing FEMA studies •Other Federal Agencies •Academia •State and Local Data B. Available flood hazard data from other sources •Flood Frequency •High Water Marks •Other Information C. Available event- based flood hazard data Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 4 of 11 A. Even if a Preliminary FIRM has not been recently issued, data may be available from ongoing FEMA studies. If an ongoing FIRM update project is in process, there may be flood hazard data available or data may be able to be quickly generated for the affected area that depicts a better understanding of the 1-percent-annual-chance event or that can be leveraged for the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. See Attachment A.1 for more information about the types of data available at different stages in the process. If the data under development is determined to be better or more appropriate than the Effective FIRM and the hazard event does not change our understanding of the base flood extent and depth (for instance, if the hydrology has changed due to the event), then it may be decided at this stage that accelerated delivery of Preliminary FIRMs is the best path forward and that Advisory Flood Hazard Information is not necessary. B. If there is no ongoing FEMA-led study, data may be available from states, communities, private, academic, or other federal agency sources (for example, modeled hindcasting of the storm event) that impact our understanding of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event and/or can be leveraged for the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. C. A review of post-event data must include an assessment of the nature of the severe weather event, including information about the type of event and its relation to other types of hazards. If the event changes our understanding of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood hazard, including all its complementary requirements, or impacts other natural hazards (such as a fire event impacting flood or erosion risk), Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be needed. Identifying the frequency of a flood event is critical for assessing the adequacy of the Effective FIRM. In addition, high-quality high water mark (HWM) data, surveyed debris lines, and damage assessments may be available after a flood event. Note that the quantity, quality, and distribution throughout the area of HWM data and its event correlation to the 1-percent-annual chance event is critical in creating event-based ABFEs. Efforts to identify, request, and organize perishable data that is being collected (e.g., gage data, HWM locations and elevations, aerial imagery, weather event analysis, debris lines , damage assessments, dune erosion assessments, dam breach and flood protection structure failure information, etc.) after the flood or other hazard event must be coordinated with federal, state, communities, academic, and other stakeholders. If the event produced flooding that differed from the 1-percent-annual-chance flood in certain areas, a frequency analysis can assist in understanding and communicating the estimated frequency of the event in those areas. Assessment of the Adequacy of the Effective Flood Hazard Data In the absence of Preliminary FIRMs or Advisory Flood Hazard Information, participating NFIP communities must use the Effective FIRM and FIS to make development decisions in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) in the post-disaster environment. Therefore, an assessment of the limits and extent of the Effective (or Preliminary, if applicable) flood hazard data is an important part of the decision of whether to create Advisory Flood Hazard Information. In areas where there is no mapped SFHA (Zone D, unmapped areas, or NSFHA communities), Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be the only resource to inform recovery. If there are significant damages outside the SFHA or the initial post-event data indicates that the BFEs, SFHA extents, zone designations, or other information important for recovery on the Effective or Preliminary FIRMs are not reflective of the 1-percent-annual-chance hazard, Advisory Flood Hazard Information will be considered. Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 5 of 11 If the frequency of a flood event has been determined to be close to a 1-percent-annual-chance flood, an understanding about how the affected areas compare with the Effective FIRM is important, as this comparison may prove/disprove the adequacy of the Effective FIRMs. For instance, if the flood event inundation limit and/or flood elevations exceed the limit and extent of the SFHAs shown on the Effective or Preliminary FIRMs (i.e., the event was much larger or included larger damages than expected), providing Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be vital to supporting reconstruction efforts. This is also critical to understanding by stakeholders of the need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information (applicable in Step 4). Note that disaster events impact areas differently; an event that is determined to be close to a 1-percent-annual chance event in one area may not necessarily be considered a 1-percent-annual chance event in the entire impacted area. Also note that an older FIRM will not necessarily contain outdated flood hazard information and a newer FIRM and FIS will not necessarily contain updated modeling information in all areas of coverage. It is recommended that this assessment be led by the FEMA Regional Office partnering directly with, and requesting participation from the state, regional technical experts (such as river authorities or other stakeholder groups) and local subject matter experts (engineering firms, academia, etc.) and entities. This assessment must include a review of Coordinated Needs Management Strategy data to determine whether any study needs have been identified in the affected area and whether the flood hazard information for a flooding source was considered to be “valid” prior to the event. Step 3: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Options If it has been determined that there is a need (Step 1) and the event or other available information changes our understanding of the flood risk and/or the Effective or Preliminary FIRMs and FIS are not sufficient for recovery (Step 2), then the type of Advisory Flood Hazard Information that is possible to produce with the resources available will be considered. If there are no data available to leverage in the affected area, the timeline to produce the Advisory Flood Hazard Information may be outside of the window of influence for recovery operations (see Step 4). If there is a need to develop additional data in order to ensure that other requirements are met in the post-event environment, it could precipitate the need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information. Advisory Flood Hazard Information can take many forms. ABFEs can be accompanied by revised SFHAs, zone designations, Limits of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA), velocity zones, and other information; Advisory data can also include storm event information, depth grids, updated hydrology, debris-flow information, and many other types of information. There are several sources of data that may be leveraged for use in releasing Advisory Flood Hazard Information, including FEMA data, data from other sources, and event-based information. Examples of Advisory Products include, but are not limited to the following: • ABFEs for the 1-percent-annual-chance event and additional flood frequencies • Advisory Flood Zones that provide a representation of the ABFEs and additional flood frequencies • Products that include storm surge and wave components in coastal areas • Advisory Limit to provide the limits of Advisory Information coverage • Advisory Zone V and Zone A Boundary to approximate the landward limit of the 3-foot breaking wave in coastal areas Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 6 of 11 • Advisory LiMWA to approximate the landward limit of the 1.5-foot breaking wave and the associated Area of Moderate Wave Action (MOWA) to approximate the extent of breaking waves less than 3 feet but greater than 1.5 feet in height in coastal areas • Advisory Limit of ABFEs to define the transition of coastal advisory data and riverine Advisory Data • Storm Event information (i.e. HWM, debris lines, gage data, surge contours, model results, or other information) • 1-percent-annual-chance and 0.2-percent-annual-chance Depth Grids • Multi-Profile Water Surface Elevation Grids (for use in online displays or for informational purposes) • Areas of Expanded or Reduced Flood Risk (i.e., Changes Since Last FIRM) • ABFE Water Surface Elevation Profiles • 1-percent-annual-chance Velocity Grids • An ABFE + 2 feet layer to assist federal, state, tribes, and local officials for recovery planning • An ABFE + “n” feet layer to depict flood elevations from larger storms or future sea level rise scenarios • Burn area flood hazard information • Post-event wildfire, debris flow, alluvial fan, and increased flooding maps • Erosion corridors or landslide zones • Primary Frontal Dune location and relative size • Other advisory information as needed Step 4: Engaging With States and Communities If there is a need (Step 1), coupled with a lack of sufficient information to effectively support recovery (Step 2), and an understanding of the type and format of Advisory Flood Hazard Information that might be issued (Step 3), then the final step is to determine the extent to which the information is desired and how the data will be received and understood by the state, tribes, and local officials. This can be impacted by timing, coverage area, stakeholder understanding of the adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary FIRMs and FIS, and support of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. The timeline to data availability is one of the most important factors impacting the decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information. If there is no FEMA flood hazard study or data available from other sources in the affected area, the time needed to produce the Advisory Flood Hazard Information may impact timelines such that the data are not available during recovery operations. Data development timelines must be discussed among state, communities, academic, or other federal agencies to determine if Advisory Flood Hazard Information should be addressed in the next map update. The limit and extent of possible Advisory Flood Hazard Information will be reviewed. The coverage area should include only those areas impacted significantly, as identified in Step 1. Producing Advisory Flood Hazard Information for areas outside the significantly-impacted locations is not an efficient use of resources. For example, hurricanes can have major impacts but frequently only in relatively specific geographic locations, so a decision to develop Advisory Flood Hazard Information for the entire coast of a state may be unnecessary. FEMA will research Stakeholder perception of the adequacy of the Effective or Preliminary FIRMs and FIS with respect to the flood event’s actual frequency. This may be informed by the assessment completed in Step 2. Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 7 of 11 In heavily impacted areas that may require Advisory Flood Hazard Information, feedback from stakeholders should also be considered in order to determine whether or not Advisory information is needed, and if so, where it is most needed, what format it should take, and how it will be utilized. FEMA will evaluate State, tribal, and local input and interest in Advisory Flood Hazard Information. If the state and/or tribes and affected communities request such information, it is more likely to be received positively and used on the local level. The level of interest in/willingness to adopt the Advisory Flood Hazard Information including ABFEs for rebuilding purposes is also an important factor. II. Final Decision Focusing on the availability of data and timeliness to develop information, the FEMA Regional Office (Regional Administrator and Mitigation Division, Risk Analysis Branch) shall collaborate with the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and Hazard Mitigation Branch Director (and other appropriate staff) at the Joint Field Office (JFO), the State Coordinating Officer (SCO), and tribal and/or local jurisdictions to determine the need for Advisory Flood Hazard Information to support recovery. The decision to not develop new Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall be made by the Regional Administrator and Mitigation Division, Risk Analysis Branch, in consultation with the FCO and SCO. The decision to develop new Advisory Flood Hazard Information shall require approval by the Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation. If the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information and associated products will be funded by the Disaster Fund through the JFO, then concurrence from the FCO is essential. It is important to document the reasons for (or against) the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. The team members shall document: • Available data and on-going study information for the disaster-effected area • Areas of interest/concern to review for possible Advisory Flood Hazard Information preparation • Preliminary and Effective FIRM dates • Available data that could be used to prepare Advisory Flood Hazard Information • Local, tribal, Regional, and state inputs and considerations for Advisory Flood Hazard Information preparation • Data timeline for Advisory Flood Hazard Information to aid discussions • Final decision regarding Advisory Flood Hazard Information preparation Consider conducting a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to assist in the decision making process to develop Advisory Information and to identify potential communication challenges. An example SWOT is provided below: Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 8 of 11 Sample Strengths Sample Weaknesses Sample Opportunities Sample Threats High level of support from state leadership and local communities Negative perception of FEMA/the Federal Government New and enhanced ways to share risk information Communities are trying to rebuild quickly and Advisory Information may slow/complicate this process Political support from Congressional representatives and other locally influential political entities Lack of political support from local Congressional representatives Data sharing can enhance transparency and inform stakeholders how Advisory Information can benefit them before release Lack of support from local citizens Available funding and resources in post-disaster environment Timeline: Communities are trying to rebuild quickly and there is minimal state/community support to slow the rebuilding process Community Rating System points for regulating to a higher standard available Confusion about who needs flood insurance and why Flood hazard studies are already underway Challenges for local officials to understand how to administer floodplain management regulations in light of Advisory Information Resiliency: now is the time to build back stronger Perception that advisory data is only being issued due to the magnitude of the event, and not because it is truly best available data on the 1- percent-annual-chance flood Effective maps that are known by state and local entities, and even the public, to underestimate the 1-percent-annual- chance flood hazard Negative connotations of prior Advisory Information in other areas Substantially damaged, insured structures outside the SFHA may receive extra money through Increased Cost of Compliance to rebuild if communities adopt Advisory Information Desire to get Advisory Information out quickly could result in failure to take enough time to get all stakeholders on board and in support before public release of the Information Multiple disaster events in the area Uncertainty inherent in the results—the impression is that FEMA now wants local governments to regulate to a higher standard than the 1-percent-annual- chance flood by issuing advisory mapping Increased coordination with OFAs/state agencies The persistent discussion of structural solutions to protect the area could distract from the conversation on appropriate reconstruction Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 9 of 11 III. Release of Advisory Flood Hazard Information If the decision is made to produce Advisory Flood Hazard Information, important considerations include timing, format and dissemination of the information, stakeholder engagement, and internal messaging and preparation. There are also several resources available to assist in the effort to release Advisory Flood Hazard Information. Timing If the decision is made to produce Advisory Flood Hazard Information, it is understood that this information will need to be produced on an expedited schedule. However, the quality of the advisory products cannot be sacrificed to expedite the release of the data. All advisory products will be based on sound engineering and science, should leverage any current restudy efforts to the maximum extent possible, and must include a consistent and tiered quality review process to ensure product releases are of the highest quality and defect free. Consider the timing of various activities as short-term, mid-term, and long-term. Examples of each are provided below: Short-Term (2 weeks post-event, for example): • Provide Advisory Flood Hazard Information messaging for FCO, JFO, External Affairs (EA), Public Assistance (PA), Mitigation, and other JFO recovery partners. • Hold information/education sessions for PA, Mitigation, and other JFO recovery partners as well as states, communities, and other entities including elected officials, floodplain administrators, insurance professionals, Federal agencies, and other identified stakeholders to inform them about the recovery process and how to use the Advisory Flood Hazard Information. • Identify questions about and provide clear answers to potential recovery policy challenges associated with the development and implementation of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. • Develop an ABFE delivery platform and begin disseminating information and support for users Mid-Term (2-4 weeks post-event, for example) • Develop and provide Advisory Flood Hazard Information to PA, Mitigation, and other JFO recovery partners. Allow adequate time to ensure that a defined and consistent quality review process has been developed and followed for data development. • Develop a dataset highlighting the differences between the Effective and Advisory Flood Hazard Information (Similar to Changes Since the Last FIRM Risk MAP dataset). • Provide Advisory Flood Hazard Information and other related products for the project area that communities can adopt and enforce for floodplain management purposes and other recovery purposes. • Provide information, messaging, and usage resources. Long-Term (4-8 weeks post-event, for example) • Provide continuing support to stakeholders as they use the Advisory Flood Hazard Information. • Provide continuing community support as they adopt and implement Advisory Flood Hazard Information to minimize future flood damages. Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 10 of 11 Format and Dissemination Consider how best to format and disseminate the information both internally and externally, using methods that best serve the communities in the focus area, assist stakeholders in using the data for the intended purposes (paper, geospatial, both), and is compatible with the platforms used to disseminate the information. Consider using technology to assist in communicating updated risk information, and innovative delivery channels to get Advisory Flood Hazard Information into the hands of key audiences. These could include online tools for locating a property and determining its ABFE vs. effective BFE or other options. In addition, a product similar to the Changes Since the Last FIRM can help to visually and spatially identify areas of greatest concern. Consider using the FEMA geoportal or other state, regional, or partner websites and/or viewers if possible. Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder and community engagement is extremely important when delivering Advisory Flood Hazard Information. An Advisory Information Team consisting of key staff from FEMA Headquarters, the FEMA Regional Office, and the JFO staff, as well as state staff (NFIP State Coordinator, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Emergency Management Staff, and other partners) will be considered. The Advisory Information Team must prioritize and plan for community engagement throughout the project timeline. Many pre- existing relationships are likely to exist and should be leveraged for these efforts. The Team will identify existing community engagement contacts and relationships, tools, and other resources through coordination with the Region and flood hazard mapping project teams, if applicable. Internally, assign and prepare team members to engage key community stakeholders and decision-makers, and implement an approach to engaging communities that will increase understanding, acceptance, and productive use of the information. Conduct meetings and other consultative visits/contacts with states and communities before, during, and after releasing Advisory Flood Hazard Information to raise their awareness, understanding, and use of the information in making building decisions during recovery. Engage multiple community stakeholders to build their understanding of Advisory Flood Hazard Information to inform responsible recovery decisions. Identify and leverage existing relationships to validate and assist with the dissemination of Advisory Information. Establish continuity of engagement with key community stakeholders, providing clear, consistent, simplified communication to generate positive interest in Advisory Flood Hazard Information within a broad group of stakeholders. Along with the Advisory Flood Hazard Products themselves, develop and include consistent information about the products and how they can be used (key messaging, fact sheets, user guides, web content, engagement scripts, and other needed items) before and during their release. Identifying the audiences for Advisory Flood Hazard Information and understanding their needs will assist in the development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information and accompanying messaging that meet these needs. Include specific information about the products in your communication and messaging plan, such as whether the datum is different from the current effective information and datum conversion information, if necessary, so that stakeholders can more easily discern the most conservative information if required by their program. Attachment A.4: Advisory Flood Hazard Information Attachment A.4 Page 11 of 11 Team members must be well-versed in the Advisory Flood Hazard Information to ensure communications with stakeholders is clear, honest, consistent, and transparent. Stakeholder engagement should seek to ensure that states and communities have the same understanding and support of the Advisory Flood Hazard Information. In addition, team members must plan for community and stakeholder input once the data is released, including a detailed and systematic approach that allows a community to comment and/or change the data. Communities and others may be able to identify problems or issues with the data that can be quickly revised or updated, especially if the data is delivered in an online format and updates are easily made. To ensure appropriate messaging, teams will familiarize themselves with best practices and lessons learned to communicate risk in areas where FEMA has previously developed Advisory Flood Hazard Information. Internal Messaging Internal messaging and communications is just as important as external messaging and communications. Assuring that all internal parties have the same information and are providing the same consistent messages is an important consideration. It is important to build an understanding of the data availability and use within the JFO, Region and Headquarters. Review the need for internal communications and trainings across the teams within the JFO to best support the data roll out. Include state staff and others who will be in regular communication with affected communities and assure that these staff have the most up to date information that has been released. Environmental and Historic Preservation, Hazard Performance Analysis, Community Education and Outreach, and Floodplain Management and Insurance groups within the JFO are important to supporting the data release and successful implementation of Advisory Flood Hazard Information. Resources The development of Advisory Flood Hazard Information is often an iterative process. If the decision is made to produce Advisory Flood Hazard Information, several resources are available including the Hazard Mitigation Field Operations Guide, which includes templates of presentations and provides guidance on Advisory Flood Hazard Information roll-out strategies. Other resources include best practices from past data releases of Advisory Flood Hazard Information that detail format and content examples; implementation plans; internal and external communications plans and messaging; methods to obtain stakeholder comments on the data; template presentations, sample emails, letters, and media materials; task force/team development considerations and approaches; business cards, trifolds, fact sheets, tough questions, checklists, and other materials. In addition, a communications and implementation plan has proven beneficial in past Advisory Information releases and should be consulted to identify additional best practices and updated presentation contents. These and other materials are available on https://rmd.msc.fema.gov/. ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1595 WYNKOOP STREET, SUITE 000 | DENVER, CO 80202 { USA | +1.*70.221.()108 ADVANCEDENERGY.COM June 10, 2022 To: City of Fort Collins Water Board From: Larry Callahan, Advanced Energy Industries, Inc Subject: Floodplain Variance Request to Allow a Cumulative Substantial Improvement and an addition to Occur without Meeting the Freeboard Requirement Background Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of highly engineered, precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions for mission-critical applications and processes. Founded in Fort Collins in 1981, with 600+ Colorado employees (400+ in Fort Collins), AEI has devoted four decades to perfecting power for its global customers. In 2018, the company moved its headquarters to Denver allowing for more research, development and engineering space in the original Fort Collins location. AEI is a tenant of four buildings in the Prospect Park East business park, which were constructed in the early 1980’s. The owner of the building is CS1031 Colorado Power, DST, represented by Capital Square Asset Management, LLC. AEI, with the Owner’s approval, is looking to modernize and reorganize the spaces within all buildings, and in particular, the building at 1625 Sharp Point, as it is the main entrance to the campus off Prospect Road. In order to attract and retain employees and clients, the building needs to reflect the company’s technological capabilities and future thinking innovations. The existing space is in much need of updating. These improvements include efficient building upgrades such as LED lighting, new roof top units and HVAC and automated building controls. The addition of the lobby will improve neighborhood curb appeal with updated façade and landscaping, and overall these will result in improved employee retention and attraction as a place where people want to be. This project will truly assist with ongoing growth and employment of Fort Collins and surrounding communities. Improvements have already proceeded in half of the building at 1625 Sharp Point using the allowable values of improvement within the floodplain regulations, see below table representing the amount of work completed to date. Please also see below before and after pictures of the upgraded spaces. Appraised value of the building $12,575,000 Deduct land value ($940,000) $11,635,000 Total allowed improvement value 50% of building value $5,817,500 WORK COMPLETED TO DATE Misc interior room additions, 9/2010 $19,000 Misc interior room additions, 12/2011 $48,522 Phase 1 of tenant improvements 8/2021-4/2022 $4,490,483 AMOUNT LEFT FOR ALLOWED IMPROVEMENT UNDER CURRENT 50% VALUE RESTRICTION $1,259,495 Value of desired further tenant improvements $3,200,000 Value of desired improvements within labs (future, beyond current scope, not yet defined) $5,000,000 ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1595 WYNKOOP STREET, SUITE 000 | DENVER, CO 80202 { USA | +1.*70.221.()108 ADVANCEDENERGY.COM AEI would like to continue these upgrades through the rest of the building as well as increase the footprint of the lobby by 1100 SF. Please see Exhibit A for lobby renderings and plans. This will create a new an inviting entrance, along with a complete upgrade to all interior finishes. It is our understanding that FEMA initiated a Flood Hazard Mapping Project for the Cache la Poudre watershed floodplain to revise and update the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). It is also our understanding that FEMA has issued a Preliminary FIRM and that they have reached the first part of Phase 3 of the below chart, the Appeal Process. 6 Before 5 After 3 After 4 After 2 After 1 After ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1595 WYNKOOP STREET, SUITE 000 | DENVER, CO 80202 { USA | +1.*70.221.()108 ADVANCEDENERGY.COM Per FEMA’s Guidance on the Use of Available Flood Hazard Information Policy #104-008-2 “At this stage of the Flood Hazard Mapping Project, FEMA releases a Preliminary FIRM which provides the public with an early look at the updated flood hazards in the community and how their effective FIRM might change when the updated information becomes effective. Community officials are provided the opportunity to review and comment on the Preliminary FIRM, Database and FIS Report.” “After all appeals are resolved, FEMA sends community officials the Letter of Final Determination (LFD) six months before the new FIRM and FIS report become effective. During this six-month period, communities must adopt or amend their floodplain management ordinance to reflect the new maps.” Variance Request With the above background on the progress FEMA has made on the final remapping of the site’s location, and considering that the site will be removed from the floodplain in that final map, AEI is requesting to be allowed to proceed with improvements, after the appeal period but prior to the issuance of the LFD. AEI is requesting the following · A variance to section 10-76(2)(a) and 10-76(3)(a). “(2a) Additions/(3a) Remodeling or repair of a structure is allowed, provided that, after completion of any cumulative substantial improvement, all applicable requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirements of § 10-37, are met.” which limits the allowed funding amount for such improvements to 50% of the value of the building. As shown in the table above, there are several improvements that AEI would like to be able to make in the coming years. This request is to allow for any future amount that AEI wishes to invest above the allowed $1,259,495. · A variance to section 10-37(b) “Requirement to elevate” which would require needless costs and hardship to implement with the impending map changes which will remove such requirements all together. · A variance to section 10-48 which requires the submittal of an emergency response and preparedness plan. The site itself, including all street access, is not going to be modified in any way. The new floodplain map shows the site to be out of the floodplain, it is simply a timing issue to get the map adopted. Below is further guidance provided by FEMA in the Policy section 2.1.b: “Because communities are afforded the opportunity to appeal BFE information after issuance of a Preliminary FIRM and FIS in accordance with Section 1363 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, a presumption of validity is given to the Effective BFEs that have gone through the formal statutory appeals process and which have been adopted by the community.” ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1595 WYNKOOP STREET, SUITE 000 | DENVER, CO 80202 { USA | +1.*70.221.()108 ADVANCEDENERGY.COM “In cases where BFEs decrease, the community should not use work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available to regulate floodplain development until the LFD has been issued or at least until all appeals have been resolved. If the work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and FIS or when ABFEs are available provides information that BFEs are decreasing, but a valid appeal actually results in higher BFEs, the community could place its citizens at a greater flood risk by using work maps, Preliminary FIRMs and the FIS or when ABFEs are available to regulate floodplain development.” Variance Factors Factors identified by the City of Fort Collins Code Section 10-28(e) and 10-29(e-g) have been recognized and addressed as identified in the following. It is noted that the hardship requirement of 10-29(f)(2) does apply. Section 10-28. Appeals/Variance Procedure: (e)(1) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others; (e)(2) The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage; (e)(3) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner; Based on the Preliminary FIRM, the facility is no longer going to be within the floodplain. the danger has been eliminated through city wide, comprehensive floodplain management efforts. (e)(4) The importance of the service provided by the proposed facility to the community; The Ft Collins facility currently employees 400+ employees and AEI partners with local businesses and training centers to attract and retain a workforce that is resident within the community. AEI expects to grow and use local talent to develop more advanced technologies within the campus. AEI is also a major tenant renting close to 170,000 SF within the community. This prime employer contributes to all aspects of the community with its workforce. (e)(5) The availability of alternate locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flood or erosion damage; Due to the nature of specialized engineering labs that have been set up on-site, it would be extremely difficult to move or grow in a different location. The current space currently covers close to 170,000 SF across four buildings. The downtime associated with any such move would result in new product development delays and potential business losses. There are a total of four buildings that AE is leasing space in, only one building is within the floodplain, they would have to find enough space to move everything. (e)(6) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development; There is no change in the use of the building, it is within a long established business park. These improvements will enhance not only AE’s spaces, but the campus as a whole, benefiting other companies within the park. (e)(7) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program of that area; The proposed improvements do not affect the floodplain management program in the area, the majority of the work is interior to the building. The addition of the lobby will not require grading beyond the limits of the building’s base footprint. (e)(8) The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles; Access to the site will remain unchanged and has been shown to be adequate even in the 2013 floods. (e)(9) The expected flood elevation, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site. Based on the Preliminary FIRM, the facility is no longer going to be within the floodplain. ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC. 1595 WYNKOOP STREET, SUITE 000 | DENVER, CO 80202 { USA | +1.*70.221.()108 ADVANCEDENERGY.COM Section 10-29 Conditions for variances: (d) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in base flood elevations would result. No changes are being made to the floodway. (e) Variances shall only be issued upon the determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. This variance is the minimum needed to allow improvements to proceed while the maps are being finalized and adopted, at which point there will no longer be a need for any variance, or floodplain regulations. (f) Variances shall only be issued upon: (1) The showing of good and sufficient cause; The Preliminary FIRM indicates that the building will be removed from all floodplains when the process is complete. A variance is required to allow improvements to be made after the Appeal period but before release of the Effective FIRM, which the duration between is lengthy (more than six months) or unknown. (2) A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; Given the new floodplain map shows the site to be out of the floodplain, it is simply a timing issue to get the map adopted. The company is losing productivity due to inability to expand the engineering capabilities within the current space without these improvements, any further delay provides a great hardship for operations at the facility. The improvements being proposed are in excess of the 50% allowance, the amount allowed within this provision are insufficient. Elevating the existing building, and all of the equipment on the interiors is not possible without demolishing the building, raising the grade and rebuilding it. To floodproof the building, the entire exterior of the building would need to modified and all exterior doors changed, causing a large financial burden to be imposed on the business. And finding an entirely new campus would take the company out of Fort Collins. (3) A determination that the granting of the variance would not result in any increased flood elevations contrary to the applicable requirements of this Article or any additional threat to public safety or to public or private property, any extraordinary public expense, any nuisance or trespass, any fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in this Article, or conflict with local laws or ordinances. No changes are being made to the grading or flood elevations outside of the building. Summary This variance request is to allow a cumulative substantial improvement to occur without meeting the freeboard requirement while the FEMA remapping project is completed. This will allow a long standing Fort Collins business to continue to operate in Fort Collins, and will greatly improve the quality of the surroundings for its people and customers. Respectfully Submitted, Larry Callahan Sr. Director, Global Real Estate and Facilities Attachments: A: Floorplans for Building 2, Rendering of building 2 lobby and plans B: Old floodmap, New floodmap C: Variance application D: Draft Floodplain use permit application Attachment A Proposed Building Plan Existing Facade Pictures Proposed Lobby Renderings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nteriors B2: Revised Furniture Plan DC Lab Relocated PHASE A CURRENTLY COMPLETED PROPOSED FUTURE PATIO PROPOSED UPGRADES TO PATIO PHASE B TENANT IMPROVEMENT AREA CANNOT BUILD OUT IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHIN THE 50% THRESHOLD EXISTING LABS LOBBY ADDITION B2 Existing Façade Company Confidential | Copyright © 2019 1 B2 Existing Façade Company Confidential | Copyright © 2019 2 Fort Collins B2 Existing Lobby (Main Entry) Company Confidential | Copyright © 2019 3 Fort Collins Conceptual Rendering (Oct 2021) Company Confidential | Copyright © 2019 4 Demo and Revised Floor Plan Company Confidential | Copyright © 2019 5 Attachment B FLOODPLAIN MAPs FCMaps Old Floodplain This map is a user generated static output from the City of Fort Collins FCMaps Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. 4,514 City of Fort Collins - GIS 0.1 1: WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere Miles0.100.07 Notes Legend Growth Management Area City Limits Floodway High Risk Floodplains Moderate Risk Floodplains Citations FCMaps New Floodplain This map is a user generated static output from the City of Fort Collins FCMaps Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. 4,514 City of Fort Collins - GIS 0.1 1: WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere Miles0.100.07 Notes Legend Growth Management Area City Limits Whitewater Park LOMR Floodway FloodWay No Change High Risk Floodplains High Risk No Change Moderate Risk Floodplains Moderate Risk No Change Citations ADVANCED ENERGY ALSO OCCUPIES BUILDINGS 4 AND 7 OLD MAP FLOOD PLAIN VARIANCE REQUEST IS FOR 1625 SHARP POINT BUILDING 2 NEW MAP FLOOD PLAIN LOCATION OF ADDITION FOR NEW LOBBY Future Patios Attachment C FLOODPLAIN VARIANCE APPLICATION Section A: Owner Information Petitioner name_______________________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________Phone______________________________ Owner name_________________________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________Phone______________________________ City_______________________________________________State________________________Zip___________________ Legal description and/or address of property_______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ page 1 Section B: Proposed Project Information • Description of proposed project (check all that apply): new structure addition remodel redevelopment mobile home/building attached garage accessory structure fill excavation change of use other (describe)_____________________________________________________________________________________ • Existing use (check one): residential non-residential mixed-use vacant ground • Proposed use (check one): residential non-residential mixed-use other_________________________________ • If non‑residential or mixed‑use, describe in detail:__________________________________________________________ • Critical facility? yes no • Type of foundation (check one): slab-on-grade basement crawl space* enclosed area not subgrade other (describe)_____________________________________________________________________________________ *If crawl space, submit crawl space worksheet. Remodels and Redevelopment Only Cost of improvement for this project: __________________________________ Section C: Floodplain Information • Lowest existing ground elevation: _____________________________ MSL (mean sea level) • Lowest finished ground elevation: _____________________________ MSL • Base flood elevation: 100‑year flood level______________ 500‑year flood level_______________ • Regulatory flood protection elevation: _________________ • Proposed lowest floor elevation using 10‑37(d):_______________________________ (attach drawing) • Floodproofing description (if available):___________________________________________________________________ • Section(s) of City Code for which variance is being requested:_________________________________________________ • What is the variance request?___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ • What circumstances justify the proposed variance?_________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Floodplain Variance Application City of Fort Collins Water Board Advanced Energy Industries, Inc 1625 Sharp Point Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-407-6967 CS1031 Colorado Power, DST 10900 Nuckols Rd., Suite 200 877-626-1031 Glen Allen VA 23060 1625 Sharp Point Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80525 Interior tenant improvement remodels and exterior lobby addition of existing facility X X X X X X $1,200,000.00 Sections 10-76(3)(a), 10-76(2)(a), 10-37(b), 10-48 Allow a cumulative substantial improvement and new addition to occur without meeting the freeboard requirement and also not be required to submit an emergency response plan. FEMA has issued Preliminary FIRM data removing the location of the proposed site from the floodplain. The FEMA process to get to final Effective FIRM data is in the Appeal period, and will take a minimum of six months after that period to complete. AEI requests to proceed with improvements once the Appeal period is complete. 4900.0 ft NAVD88 4900.0 ft NAVD88 The applicant hereby certifies that the above information, along with the attached plans and project descriptions, is correct. The applicant agrees to comply with the provisions of the zoning ordinance, building code and all other applicable sections of the City Code, Land Use Code, City Plan and all other laws and ordinances affecting the construction and occupancy of the proposed building. The applicant understands that if this variance is approved, the structure and its occupants may be more susceptible to flood damage and, if in a FEMA floodplain, the cost of flood insurance may increase for the property. Signature of applicant:______________________________________________________Date:_____________________ If you have questions or need assistance filling out forms, contact Fort Collins Utilities at: • Phone: 970-416‑2632 •V/TDD 711 • Web: fcgov.com/stormwater • E‑mail: utilities@fcgov.com page 2 Office use onlyDate application fee paid:_______________________Date complete application submitted:____________________ Date of variance hearing:_______________________ Variance: approved denied Notes/condiditons:________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ This document has been prepared to assist those persons requesting a variance to Chapter 10 of City Code pertaining to floodplain regulations. The requirements listed below will cover most conditions, however, additional information may be needed for unique situations. An up-front meeting is recommended with the applicant and their engineer or architect as early as possible so the City’s Floodplain Administrator can assist in the variance process and ensure the variance hearing by the City’s Water Board goes as smoothly as possible. Submittal Deadline A completed application packet must be submitted to the City’s Floodplain Administrator at least three weeks in advance of the Water Board meeting for which the variance will be considered. This allows time for review by staff, printing adequate copies of the packet and distributing the packet to the board. Water Board Meeting The Water Board meets the third Thursday of each month. In November and December, the meetings are sometimes combined and held before the Christmas holidays. Professional engineers or architects are encouraged to attend the variance hearing. Variance Fee A $1,000 variance fee is due at the time the variance packet is submitted. If a variance to the $1,000 fee is requested, this fee variance must be considered by the Water Board at a separate meeting before the variance to the floodplain regulation is considered. The variance to the floodplain regulation would be heard at the next board meeting the following month. Application Packet The application packet for the floodplain regulation variance must include: • Completed Floodplain Use Permit; • Completed Floodplain Variance Application form; • Narrative explaining the project and the specific variance to the City Code being requested. It must include the reason for requesting the variance, alternatives that were evaluated and why they will Floodplain Variance Submittal Requirements or will not work, any hardship (if any) if the variance is not granted, and any extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Comments should also address City Code section 10-27, 10-28, and 10-29 as they apply to the project (see attached). • Site plan(s) with information pertaining to the variance. Items to be included on the site plan should be discussed with the Floodplain Administrator. Information generally shown on the site plan includes: –existing and proposed grading; –floodplain and floodway boundaries; –cross-section and base flood elevation lines; –size, location and spatial arrangement of all proposed and existing structures; –building layout showing any existing buildings relative to any proposed additions; –elevation of the lowest floor including basement or crawl space for any structures or additions that are being proposed; and –landscaping and fences. Notes: • Drawings should be 11”x17” or smaller. If applicant requests color drawings, 18 originals will be needed. • Additional information may be required, including: –floodproofing designs by a professional engineer or architect; –building elevation drawings; and –cross-section of proposed improvements. • For those variances requesting structures in the floodway, no rise calculations following the City’s Floodplain Modeling Guidelines shall be submitted for approval. A Colorado registered professional engineer must complete a no-rise certification form and all calculations shall be by the professional engineer using standard engineering methods. Post Construction Requirements A post construction elevation or floodproofing certification must be completed prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) to verify compliance with variance approval conditions. Additional site inspection or certifications may be required. page 3 Attachment D DRAFT FLOODPLAIN USE PERMIT APPLICATION (will be signed when formally submitted with final construction plans) Attach $50 application fee, plus applicable review fee, payable to City of Fort Collins. fcgov.com/gis/maps.php Floodplain Use Permit (City of Fort Collins, Section 10-27) Building Permit # Parcel # Section A: Owner and Property Information Petitioner Name: Owner Name: Address: Address: City: State: Zip: City: State: Zip: Phone: Phone: Contact Email: Contact Email: Property address or location: Section B: Proposed Project Information Description of project:Mark all that apply Structural:new structure (Building) addition remodel redevelopment mobile home/building attached garage accessory structure N/A Non-Structural:return to existing grade change of use excavation fill Other: Existing Use:residential non-residential mixed-use vacant ground ROW/drainage easement other Proposed Use:residential non-residential mixed-use ROW/drainage easement other If non-residential or mixed-use, describe in detail: Critical facility?yes no Type of foundation:enclosed area not sub-grade N/A slab on grade basement crawl space (attach pg.3, crawl space worksheet) other Remodels, Damaged Structures and Redevelopment Only Cost of improvement for this project: (submit itemized cost list of improvements)$ Office Use Only Value of Structure: (submit County assessor’s or appraiser’s valuation of structure)$ Cumulative value of improvements:$ Substantial improvement?  yes no Section C: Floodplain Information Office Use OnlyFloodplain Designation:Poudre River FEMA Basin City Basin Floodplain name: FEMA Zone:A AE AH AO X-500 X FEMA Base Flood Elevation (BFE): ft NAVD88 City Zone:100-year City Base Flood Elevation (BFE): Regulatory flood elevation (highest BFE+freeboard) ft NAVD88  Floodway yes no (if yes, include technical evaluation that shows “no-rise” per city Code 10-45.)  Erosion Buffer yes no Updated 3/18 Page 1 ft NAVD88 Section D: Survey Requirements To convert to NAVD88 from NGVD29, please visit the City Surveyor's ground control network at fcgov.com/gis/maps.php Structure is:elevated floodproofed vented n/a If floodproofed, describe method used:  Benchmark Number:  Elevation of benchmark: ft NAVD88 Lowest existing ground elevation:ft NAVD88 Highest existing ground elevation:ft NAVD88 Lowest finished ground elevation:ft NAVD88 Highest finished ground elevation:ft NAVD88 Lowest floor elevation (refer to City Code 10-37(d)):ft NAVD88 Elevation of garage slab:ft NAVD88 Lowest elevation of HVAC equipment:ft NAVD88 Enclosed area (not elevated or floodproofed):ft2 Number of vents:#  Total open area of vents:in2 Section E: Regulatory Requirements yes no  Requesting a variance from City Code? If yes, attach variance application with additional $1,000 variance fee. Variance application can be obtained from Fort Collins Utilities. Variance request requires consideration by Water Board. Attached N/A  Structures: Attach building plans showing foundation design, flood elevation, floor elevations, HVAC elevations.  Site work: Attach site and grading plans and other relevant information.  Property in floodway: Attach No-Rise Certification and documentation.  Non-Residential Structures in the Poudre River: Attach Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan. Freeboard # inches freeboard  Poudre River Freeboard: Twenty four (24) inches above the base flood elevation. FEMA basin AND City basin freeboard: -New construction and redevelopments: eighteen (18) inches above base flood elevation. -Additions and substantial improvements: twelve (12) inches above base flood elevation. -Accessory structures: twelve (12) inches above base flood elevation or meet venting requirements. Section F: Signature Block Signature of petitioner: Date: Signature of owner: Date: Office Use Only Floodplain Use Permit: approved denied Permit # Paid Date: Signature of floodplain administrator: Date: Comments: If you have questions or need assistance filling out forms, contact Fort Collins Utilities at: •Phone: 970-416-2632 •V/TDD 711 •Web: fcgov.com/stormwater •E-mail: utilities@fcgov.com  700 Wood Street P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Updated 3/18 Page 2 Conversion to NAVD88 from NGVD29 ft Paid Amt. Draft Motion for the Variance Staff has prepared the following draft motion for the Water Commission’s consideration to facilitate its consideration and decision of the request. I move approval or denial of the floodplain variance for Advanced Energy located at 1625 Sharp Point Dr., requesting a variance from the requirements of City Code Sections 10-76(2)a, 10-76(3)a, 10-37, 10-76(9) and 10-48 which would allow construction of a cumulative substantial improvement and addition without being elevated and without developing an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). Possible conditions the Board may consider are, but are not limited to, the following: • The floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. I make this motion based on the evidence in the record showing that the relevant factors and standards set forth in Article III, Chapter 10 of the City Code have or have not been met and as required in City Code Section 10-29, the determination that 1) the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; and 2) that there is good and sufficient cause for the variance to be granted; and 3) that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and 4) that the granting of the variance will not result in any increased flood heights, any additional threat to public safety or to public or private property, any extraordinary public expense, any nuisance or trespass, any fraud on or victimization of the public, or any conflict with existing local laws or ordinances. I further note the following in support of this motion of approval or denial: 1. ___________________ 2. ___________________ Floodplain Variance for Advanced Energy 1625 Sharp Point Dr. July 21, 2022 Staff Presentation 2Variance Request The application requests a variance to certain requirements in City Code: 10-76(2)a. –Additions to a non-residential structure is allowed, provided that all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the requirement of 10-37, are met. 10-76(3)a. -Remodeling or repair of a structure is allowed, provided that, after completion of any cumulative substantial improvement, all applicable requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirements of 10-37, are met. 10-37 –Requirement to Elevate 10-76(9) and 10-48 –Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan 3Variance Request Proposing construction of a new addition and remodel of the existing structure. •Approve a variance from the requirements to elevate an addition and cumulative substantial improvement that is to be constructed at 1625 Sharp Point Drive in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). •Approve a variance from the requirement to develop an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan (ERPP) for any addition or cumulative substantial improvement that is to be constructed at 1625 Sharp Point Drive in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). 4Cumulative Substantial Improvement •There have been multiple previous remodels that have been permitted for this property. •Because the Poudre River floodplain has a cumulative substantial improvement requirement over the life of the structure, all remodels are added together to compare with the value of the structure to determine substantial improvement. •Once a structure meets the substantial improvement threshold (City Code 10-76(3)a), •the structure is required to be elevated 2 ft. above the 100-year flood elevation (City Code 10-37), and •an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan (City Code 10-76(9) and 10- 48) is also required to be developed. Note: As a substitute for the elevation requirement, floodproofing is allowed for non-residential structures (City Code 10-38). 5Cumulative Substantial Improvement Property Appraisal Value = $11,635,000 Substantial Improvement Threshold = $5,817,500 Additional Remodel Work Planned = Approximately $8 million Cost of Improvement ≥ 50% Market Value of Structure Current Improvements: $5,817,455 ≤ 50% $11,635,000 Floodplain Mapping –1625 Sharp Point Dr.6 Effective Floodplain Map RiskMAP –Proposed •Less restrictive •Preliminary Maps issued Dec. 20, 2021 •90-day Appeal began May 18, 2022 •Appeal period ends Aug. 16, 2022 •Tentative Effective Date is June 2023 •Could be delayed by appeals 7FEMA Guidance on Using Less Restrictive Data •FEMA Policy #104-008-2 (Attachment A) regarding the Use of Available Flood Hazard Data. •Pages 8-9 of this policy reference the use of less restrictive data and specifically advises not utilizing this data until all appeals have been resolved. •Staff recommendation includes a condition that any approval of a variance shall not be effective until the appeal period has been concluded and that it is determined that no appeals have been filed that would potentially impact the proposed RiskMAP floodplain mapping in this area. •FEMA Region VIII staff did not have a concern with the granting of a variance if it was conditioned on no appeals having been filed. FEMA staff confirmed that a variance would not result in any compliance issues for the City of Fort Collins. 8Variance Options Depending on the Water Commission’s findings and determinations, Water Commission could conceivably approve or deny the floodplain variance for Advanced Energy located at 1625 Sharp Point Dr. requesting a variance from the requirements of City Code Sections 10-76(2)a, 10-76(3)a, 10-37, 10-76(9) and 10-48 which would allow construction of a cumulative substantial improvement and addition without being elevated and without developing an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan in the Zone AE area of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (Poudre River 100-year floodplain). Possible conditions the Water Commission may consider are, but are not limited to: 1.The floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. 9 Staff Recommendation 10Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the variance with the condition that the floodplain use permit and building permit shall not be approved until the RiskMAP appeal period is completed and it is determined that there are no appeals that would impact this area. The reasons for staff’s recommendation for approval of the variance are: 1.The RiskMAP mapping shows the site to be out of the 100-year floodplain and once the maps are approved, the site will no longer be required to comply with floodplain regulations; and 2.The staff recommendation is specifically based on the timing of the appeal period being completed and that no appeals have been filed that would impact this area. When the mapping reaches this stage, it is far enough along in the process to have confidence that the mapping will not change; and 11Staff Recommendation (cot’d) 3.Staff’s discussion with FEMA indicated that FEMA would not be concerned by the granting of the variance and thus would not result in any compliance issues for the City of Fort Collins. Furthermore, FEMA provided specific policy guidance, FEMA Policy #104-008-2, related to the use of less restrictive data and this variance, if the condition is added, would be in compliance with this policy document; and 4.Not granting the variance would lead to an exceptional hardship for the applicant due to the uncertainty in timing of approval of the RiskMAP maps. The maps have already been delayed numerous times. Because the Poudre River mapping is tied to a much larger area of revision, an appeal on another stream could result in a significant delay in map approval. 12 Draft Motion Advanced Energy Variance Request July 2022 AEI is a tenant of three buildings in the Prospect Park East business park, which were constructed in the early 1980’s. The owner of the building is CS1031 Colorado Power, DST, represented by Capital Square Asset Management, LLC. AEI, with the Owner’s approval, is looking to modernize and reorganize the spaces within all buildings, and in particular, the building at 1625 Sharp Point, as it is the main entrance to the campus off Prospect Road. In order to attract and retain employees and clients, the building needs to reflect the company’s technological capabilities and future thinking innovations. The existing space is in much need of updating. Current Situation 2 Advanced Energy Industries Variance to Floodplain Regulations Request AE At A Glance Advanced Energy has devoted more than four decades to perfecting power—enabling design breakthroughs and driving growth for leading semiconductor and industrial customers. 10,000+ Employees Headquartered in Denver, CO Our Markets Semiconductor Equipment, Industrial/Medical, Data Center Computing, and Telecom/ Networking Founded in 1981 $1.46 Billion Revenue in 2021 Pure Play Power Leader 3 4 Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 All matters shared (written or verbal) by AE with you are subject to an obligation of confidentiality/non-use on your part as recipient, and may additionally be protected under the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Information presented by AE is AE confidential and proprietary information and may be protected by one or more of AE’s provisional patent applications, patents, patents pending, trade secrets, copyrights, and/or trademarks. Genesis of AE (1981) Center of AE’s Advanced Plasma Power Engineering & Development Teams Home to AE’s Global Service Organization 500 Employees Community Engagement •Outreach Volunteerism •City Board Participation Modernizing Facilities for Future Engineering and Manufacturing Growth AE Fort Collins Overview Variance Request Requesting to receive a variance to the following requirements 50% of building value funding limit Elevate building 2ft above 100 yr flood elevation Create an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan or Floodproofing the building Current FEMA Substantial Improvement Classification 5 Advanced Energy Industries Variance to Floodplain Regulations Request Full Campus –AEI Occupies 3 Buildings 1625 Sharp Point Exterior/Addition Transformation Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 6 Aerial View of Campus 1625 Sharp Point Transformation 7 B2 Existing Façade 8 Fort Collins B2 Existing Lobby (Main Entry) 9 Fort Collins Conceptual Rendering (Oct 2021) 10 Demo and Revised Floor Plan 11 Ongoing Interior Tenant Improvements 12 It’s all about the timing FEMA RiskMAP Floodplain Information “The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and FEMA have been working to update the floodplain mapping on the Poudre River since 2012. This effort is called RiskMAP. Preliminary maps were issued on December 20, 2021, and the 90-day appeal period began on May 18, 2022. The appeal period is set to end on August 16, 2022, and the new maps are tentatively expected to be effective in June 2023. However, additional delays may occur. The effective floodplain mapping for this site shows the property in the Poudre River 100-year floodplain (Zone AE). The RiskMAP mapping shows the property at 1625 Sharp Point to be outside of the mapped 100-and 500-year floodplain. The maps supplied by the applicant show the change in the effective floodplain to the RiskMAP floodplain. The RiskMAP data for this site is less restrictive than the effective mapping. In addition to remapping the Poudre River from Fort Collins to Greeley, the RiskMAP mapping includes other streams such as the Big Thompson. Because the Poudre River mapping is tied to a much larger area of revision, an appeal on another stream could result in a significant delay in map approval. The mapping process has been very long and has already experienced numerous delays. Therefore, the timing of the maps becoming effective is highly uncertain.” “Not granting the variance would lead to an exceptional hardship for the applicant due to the uncertainty in timing of approval of the RiskMAP maps. The maps have already been delayed numerous times. Because the Poudre River mapping is tied to a much larger area of revision, an appeal on another stream could result in a significant delay in map approval.” 13 Old vs New FEMA Floodplain Map 14 Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 All matters shared (written or verbal) by AE with you are subject to an obligation of confidentiality/non-use on your part as recipient, and may additionally be protected under the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Information presented by AE is AE confidential and proprietary information and may be protected by one or more of AE’s provisional patent applications, patents, patents pending, trade secrets, copyrights, and/or trademarks. Conclusion This variance request is to allow a cumulative substantial improvement to occur without meeting the freeboard requirement while the FEMA remapping project is completed. This will allow a long standing Fort Collins business to continue to operate in Fort Collins, and will greatly improve the quality of the surroundings for its people and customers. …Thank You for Your Consideration Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 15 Backup Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 All matters shared (written or verbal) by AE with you are subject to an obligation of confidentiality/non-use on your part as recipient, and may additionally be protected under the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Information presented by AE is AE confidential and proprietary information and may be protected by one or more of AE’s provisional patent applications, patents, patents pending, trade secrets, copyrights, and/or trademarks.17 B2 Existing Façade Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 18 Proposed Patios Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 19 Future Lab Upgrades AEI is expected to be on the cutting edge of technology for their clients. They need to ensure the labs the engineers use are capable of supporting this endeavor. The existing labs need to be expanded and reworked for better flexibility. There are highly complex and specific needs for the labs that cannot be built elsewhere and cannot be interrupted. Company Confidential | Copyright © 2022 20 WaterRevenuein thousandsPercent of Year 50.0%JuneYear to DateActualOver/ (Under)BudgetActualOver/ (Under) Inc/(Dec)% Bud Recvd % Act Recvd2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 2021Residential Water Sales$ 1,688 * $ 173 $ 6,827 $ 7,340 $ 513(A)$ 373 44%42%Com/Indl Water Sales976 * 187 3,400 3,782382(B)380 40%39%Raw Water Surcharge9* 632 461417 9%5%District Water Sales228 * 51695794100(339) 42%29%Other Water Sales6 * (105)670309 (361)(C)(232) 33%43%PILOTs174256697174954 42%40%Operating Revenue3,080 337 12,292 12,989697253 42%39%Interest Revenue35(0)3103221218 54%57%Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions276 147777637 (140)(D)(671) 41%12%Financing Sources000332 2%2%Other Misc6(6)79812(148) 32%17%Total Lapsing Revenue**3,397 478 13,458 14,032574(545) 42%35%Non-lapsing Revenue000TOTAL**$ 3,397$ 14,032$ (545)Variance Analysis:(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)***Commercial/Industrial Water sales are 11.2% over budget and 11.2% more than YTD 2021.June billed revenue is for May and early June.Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.Plant Investment Fees ($150).Irrigation Sales ($379) offset by Standpipe Sales $16.Residential Water Sales are 7.5% over budget and 5.4% more than YTD 2021.Note: No Water rate increase for 2022.2 Water Fund2022 Department ExpenseIn thousands`Percent of Year 50.0%Excludes depreciation and transfersJuneYear to DateActual(Over)/ UnderYTD Bdgt Actual(Over)/ Under (Inc)/DecActual + PO'sSpent & Committed2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 by PO'sWater Treatment$ 551 $ 755 $ 4,822 $ 3,022 $ 1,800(A)$ (686) $ 6,82471%Water Resources34701,6901,310380(B)83 $ 1,48742%Water Quality Lab111(28)51050110(61) $ 59350%Subtotal WR&T$ 695 $ 797$ 7,022 $ 4,833 $ 2,189 $ (664) $ 8,90362%Transmission & Distribution21611,2641,298(35)(C)87 $ 1,31540%Water Meters O&M5623773225546 $ 35039%Engineering6321695282413(D)(84) $ 38934%Subtotal WEFS335252,3361,90343349 $ 2,05439%Water Conservation533656433622820 $ 64045%PILOTs174(25)669717(49)(54) $ 71742%Admin Services - CS&A36402,1872,1870(73) $ 2,18750%Other Payments & Transfers255(100)1,0721,05914(235) $ 1,59455%Subtotal Operating Expenses$ 1,876 $ 733$ 13,851 $ 11,0340$ 2,816 $ (957) $ 16,09654%Debt Service000000$ 00%Minor Capital35151882566317(78) $ 1,51369%Total Lapsing$ 1,911$ 883$ 14,733$ 11,600$ 3,133$ (1,035)$ 17,60854%Non-lapsing Expenses6671,6041,629TOTAL$ 2,578$ 13,204$ 594Variance Analysis:(A)(B)(C)(D)Consulting Services $171, Personnel $139 (vacancies), Water Assessment Services $25, and Other Professional & Technical $24 (primarily for NISP outreach BFO offer #1.63)Consulting Services $314 (primarily Large Valve Maintenance work - additional work anticipated this year), Personnel $69 (vacancies and potentially more time being charged capital than budgeted in allocations out), and Other Professional & Technical $11.Contract Payment to Gov't/Other $1,417 (PO carryforward for payments to Greeley: Cameron Peak Fire - Watershed; specifics and funding sources still being worked out (to maximize cost matching and have the most impact); potentially some underspend by YE (year-end)), Project Management Services $61 (estimated Fort Collins' portion of PM to manage post-fire recovery efforts - is used as needed; potentially some underspend by YE), Consulting $65 ($17 encumbered for a corrosion control study - likely complete by YE, and $13 encumbered for SCADA support; YE spend TBD), Construction Services $36 (PO carryforward related to the Poudre intake and channel realignment - all encumbered), Chemicals $69 (lower demand and quality less challenging to treat), Maintenance Contracts $41, Electricity $30 (weren't running all four treatment trains this year, due to lower demand), Solid Waste Services $23 (sludge residual usually hauled off by now, hasn't been, yet), Water Assessment Services $22 (haven't paid Pleasant Valley Pipeline, yet, was paid in June/July the past two years), Vehicle Repair Services $17, Software Maint. $17, and Testing Services $14 (Big Thompson Watershed Forum dissolved and trying to reforming an entity to provide those services; potential underspend by YE), offset by Personnel ($34) (Assumed Vacancy Factor ($48), Tuition Reimbursement ($12), Termination Pay ($10), Standby ($7), Overtime ($4) offset by vacancies), Electrical Parts ($28) (unexpected switchgear issue, YE spend TBD), and Natural Gas ($23) (likely due to colder than expected weather this past winter, potentially over budget by YE).Personnel ($34), and multiple other small overspends, offset by Solid Waste Services $22 and other smaller underspends.3 WastewaterRevenuein thousandsPercent of Year 50.0%JuneYear to DateActualOver/ (Under)BudgetActualOver/ (Under) Inc/(Dec)% Bud Recvd % Act Recvd2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 2021Residential WW Sales$ 1,319 * $ 9 $ 7,886 $ 7,954 $ 68(A)$ (22) 51%50%Com/Indl WW Sales577 * 82 2,806 2,712(95)(B)298 44%49%District WW Sales34 * (1)212205(7)(1) 48%50%Other WW Sales34 * 16831294525 64%46%PILOTs1165658653(6)16 48%49%Operating Revenue2,080 110 11,646 11,6536316 49%49%Interest Revenue19(0)173171(2)13 53%59%Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions673021531297(C)(406) 42%21%Financing Sources00000(14)Other Misc1692311288(D)29 89%74%Total Lapsing Revenue**2,183 148 12,058 12,248190(62) 49%48%Non-lapsing Revenue000TOTAL**$ 2,183$ 12,248$ (62)Variance Analysis:Note: No Wastewater rate increase for 2022.(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)***Lab Services $39, Ranch Income $32, and Bad Debt Recovery $12.June billed revenue is for May and early June.Residential sales are 0.9% over budget and 0.3% less than YTD 2021.Plant Investment Fees $90.Commercial/Industrial sales are 3.4% under budget and 12.3% more than YTD 2021. due to decreased water consumption for some of the larger customers driven by weather variations and Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.4 Wastewater Fund2022 Department ExpenseIn thousandsPercent of Year 50.0%Excludes depreciation and transfersJuneYear to DateActual(Over)/ UnderYTD Bdgt Actual(Over)/ Under YTD (Inc)/DecActual + PO's% Bud Spent & Committed2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 by PO'sWater Reclamation & Biosolids $ 438 $ 19 $ 2,781 $ 2,577 $ 204(A)$ 27 $ 2,90746%Pollution Control Lab95 (5) 544 502 42 (7) 588 47%Subtotal WR&T 533 14 3,326 3,079 246 20 3,495 46%Trunk & Collection145 (19) 795 720 75 (33) 720 41%Engineering171 (78) 566 362 203(B)(158)52153%Subtotal WEFS315(97)1,361 1,083278(191)1,24145%PILOTs116(5)6586526(16)65248%Admin Services - CS&A214(0)1,284 1,284(0)(29)1,28450%Other Payments & Transfers10317627610(91)1,03347%Subtotal Operating Expenses$ 1,282 $ (87)$ 7,390 $ 6,859$ 531 $ (308) $ 7,70547%Debt Service259 (259)2592590$ 3325912%Minor Capital362748441174(C)$ (15)1,02880%Total Lapsing$ 1,577 $ (320)$ 8,134 $ 7,529$ 605 $ (291) $ 8,99230%Non-lapsing Expenses7651,521(440)TOTAL$ 2,341$ 9,050$ (731)Variance Analysis:(A)(B)(C)Consulting $66, Machinery & Equipment Parts $46,Other Professional & Technical $34, Electrical Parts $27, Chemicals $20 (use depends on treatment levels and processes), Conference & Travel $14, Software Maintenance & Support $14, Contractual Labor $13, Water $12, offset by Electricity ($33), and Natural Gas ($18).Consulting $159 and Construction Services $19 (primarily DWRF Utility Mapping and work still planned for this year; not sure on YE (year-end) spend, yet; all but $104 of 2022 Consulting budget spent or encumbered).Vehicles/Equipment $70.5 StormwaterRevenuein thousandsPercent of Year 50.0%JuneYear to DateActualOver/ (Under)BudgetActualOver/ (Under) Inc/(Dec)% Bud Recvd % Act Recvd2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 2021Single Family Residential SW Services$ 681 * $ (1) $ 4,083 $ 4,077 $ (6)(A)$ 39 50%50%Non-single Family SW Services825 * (15) 5,042 4,990(52)(B)26 49%50%Operating Revenue1,506 (16) 9,125 9,068(57)65 50%50%Interest Revenue132951172218 64%61%Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions802127335987(C)(22) 63%25%Financing Sources00000(26)Other Misc5502121763%Total Lapsing Revenue**1,60412 9,493 9,5657241 50%49%Non-lapsing Revenue000TOTAL**$ 1,604$ 9,565$ 41Variance Analysis:Note: No Stormwater rate increase for 2022.(A)(B)(C)(D)***June billed revenue is for May and early June.Erosion Control Development Inspection $34, Development Review Charges $22, Stormwater Development Fee $21, and Infrastructure Development Inspection $9.Non-Single Family fees are 1.0% under budget and 0.5% greater than 2021.Single Family Residential fees are 0.1% under budget and 1.0% greater than 2021.Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.6 Stormwater Fund2022 Department ExpenseIn thousandsPercent of Year 50.0%Excludes depreciation and transfersJuneYear to DateActual(Over)/ UnderBudget Actual(Over)/ Under (Inc)/Dec Actual + PO's% Bud Spent & Committed2022 2022 Bud 2022 2022 2022 Bud 2021 2022 by PO'sDrainage and Detention$ 192 $ (11) $ 928 $ 764 $ 164(A)$ 130$ 1,02347%Engineering13733 1,012630382(B)(7)82940%Stormwater Quality Programs32(3) 19616927131651%Admin Services - CS&A255(0) 1,529 1,529(0)(31)1,52950%Other Payments & Transfers663 45143714(50)59129%Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 682 $ 21 $ 4,116 $ 3,529$ 587$ 43$ 4,28943%Debt Service0011110398111%Minor Capital655 (565) 934770164(C)(733)1,18196%Total Lapsing$ 1,336 $ (544) $ 5,061 $ 4,310$ 751 $ (292)$ 5,48145%Non-lapsing Expenses3901,011885TOTAL$ 1,726$ 5,321$ 594Variance Analysis:(A)(B)(C)Mowing Services $77, Personnel $45, Vehicle Repair $24 (reactionary), Other Professional & Technical $16, Street & Bridge Maintenance $12, and Consulting $11 (BFO Offer 1.65 Dirt Recycling & Management Study), offset by Health & Safety Supplies ($13). Personnel ($53) (no vacancies; repurposed an operator position to a higher level crew chief position; and a $Consulting $228 (primarily BFO offer 4.16 Poudre River Flow Consolidation Study, est project completion in Oct, YE (year-end) spend TBD), and Personnel $122 (primarily vacancies, under budget by YE).Vehicles/Equipment (all but $45K of 2022 budget encumbered and awaiting delivery).7 Utilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.212.2900 V/TDD: 711 utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities M E M O R A N D U M DATE: July 13, 2022 TO: Water Commission FROM: Michael Neale, MSc, Water Resources Engineer RE: June 2022 Water Resources Division Staff Report Purpose This memorandum is intended to update the Water Commission on water resource conditions for the City of Fort Collins Water Utility (Water Utility) over the month of June and provide updated future outlook information. For additional information, please refer to the City’s website: https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/water-status Water Resources Summary Supply and Demand Projections for the remainder of WY2022 • Water Supply – During the month of June, water supply consisted of 73% from Horsetooth supplies and 27% from the Poudre. See supply and demand outlook attached. • Water Demand – Demands within the Water Utility service area for the month of June were slightly below projected. Please refer to the attached graphs and tables. Water demands within the Water Utility service area for the month: • Water demand for June: 96% of the projected demand. • Water demand for calendar year: 99% of the projected demand. Weather: https://climate.colostate.edu/ Measured at the Fort Collins weather station 053005 along with average normals from 1991-2020: • Mean daily high temperature recorded for the month: 85 oF. • 30-year average daily high temperature for the month is: 82 oF. • Total recorded monthly precipitation: 0.94 inches. • 30-year average precipation for the month: 1.90 inches. Reservoir Storage: Northern has allocated a quota of 80% for the 2022 water year. As of June 1st and presented in the Northern District Storage and Delivery Report: • Colorado-Big Thompson project reservoirs (Granby, Carter, and Horsetooth): 94% full. Storage in Lake Grandby increased 99,402 AF last month. • Horsetooth Reservoir: 88% full. • Joe Wright Reservoir: 98% full (99% of average for this month based on 14 years of data). Cache la Poudre River flow: The Poudre peaked at 3,140 cfs on June 12th, a near average peak flow. Graphical data for the Poudre River is available on-line at: • Cache La Poudre River at the Canyon Mouth https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/CLAFTCCO?params=DISCHRG • Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/CLAFORCO?params=DISCHRG Drought Monitors: • Larimer County and Colorado https://climate.colostate.edu/drought_info.html Larimer County and upper South Platte basin are abnormally dry at this time. • Colorado and the USA https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ The Colorado River basin remains in a drought. Climate Outlook: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate outlooks for the northern Front Range and northern mountains, over the next three months: • Leaning below normal precipitation • Likely above normal temperature. Other Water Supply Considerations: • During the first week of July, water treatment experienced turbidity spikes in the Poudre due to rain events over the Cameron Peak burn area. Water quality has since improved. In a measure to mitigate further impacts from burn area rain events, water treatment began treating 5 MGD from the Pleasant Valley Pipeline through the presedimentation basin and will continue doing so through September. • Our Horsetooth supplies alone are now sufficient to meet our remaining demands through the water year, including a maximum CBT carryover for use in 2023. City of Fort Collins Utilities Scenario Demand (AF) Poudre Supply (AF) Horsetooth Supply (AF) Horsetooth, Carryover for 2023 (AF) Supply --2,511 15,758 4,190 High Demand 12,077 ------ Projected Demand 10,716 ------ Low Demand 9,694 ------ Remaining Water Demand and Supply from July 13 - October 31, 2022 ASSUMPTIONS • Values look at remaining demands and supplies through the end of the Water Year (Oct 31st ) DEMANDS •Projected demand based on GPCD and population estimates • Low demand is projected demand reduced by 10% • High demand applies a monthly worse case factor to projected demand SUPPLIES Poudre • Poudre Supply is a fire impacted Poudre that is approximately 60% of the annual average. Monthly percentages of average are Nov-Jan 95%, Feb 0%, Mar 95%, Apr 85%, May-Jun 40%, Jul 30%, Aug 25%, Sep 70%, Oct 80%. Horsetooth Reservoir • Horsetooth Supplies include CBT, NPIC MU, Windy Gap • CBT supply: 80% quota, 2.75 AF NPIC MU allocation/share • A 1,500 AF Joe Wright-CBT exchange with NPIC • Windy Gap supply: 2,750 AF expected from PRPA All remaining Horsetooth raw water CBT obligations have been deducted. Horsetooth Carryover Objective • Max amount allowable is 4,190 AF before 10% shrink 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 Supply High Demand Projected Demand Low DemandVolume (acre-feet)Demand (AF)Poudre Supply (AF) Horsetooth Supply (AF)Horsetooth, Carryover for 2023 (AF) City of Fort Collins Utilities Treated Water Monthly Summary 2022 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year to Date WTF Water Supply (MG) From Poudre 161.6 0.0 190.8 293.2 122.3 288.4 1,056.3 From Horsetooth 289.9 433.3 306.1 297.1 696.5 785.3 2,808.2 Total Raw Water 451.5 433.3 496.8 590.3 818.8 1,073.8 3,864.6 Demands (MG) WTF Production 436.0 415.4 468.3 557.2 780.5 1,025.9 3,683.3 Change in Storage -1.6 -1.0 4.0 4.7 -0.2 0.5 6.3 Demand on WTF 437.6 416.4 464.4 552.5 780.7 1,025.4 3,677.0 From Soldier Canyon 21.8 7.1 14.4 48.7 174.5 307.9 574.5 To Soldier Canyon 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 To FC-Lov/NWCWD -39.6 -33.2 -48.4 -96.0 -235.9 -407.7 -860.8 For City 419.8 390.3 430.4 505.3 719.3 925.6 3,390.7 Daily Deliveries to City (MG) Max During Month 14.8 15.7 14.8 24.3 29.7 35.7 35.7 Min During Month 12.1 13.4 12.7 13.9 18.2 21.9 12.1 Avg During Month 13.5 13.9 13.9 16.8 23.2 30.9 18.7 Monthly Deliveries (Ac-Ft) Projected 1,369 1,247 1,392 1,551 1,961 2,959 3,329 3,251 2,760 1,685 1,338 1,339 24,181 Actual 1,288 1,198 1,321 1,551 2,208 2,841 10,406 Ratio 94%96%95%100%113%96%43% Year to Date Deliveries (Ac-Ft) Projected 1,369 2,616 4,008 5,559 7,520 10,479 13,808 17,058 19,819 21,503 22,842 24,181 24,181 Actual 1,288 2,486 3,807 5,358 7,565 10,406 10,406 Ratio 94%95%95%96%101%99%43% C-BT Project Storage Lake Granby Storage in Lake Granby increased 99,402 acre-feet last month Horsetooth Reservoir Storage in Horsetooth Reservoir decreased 7,298 acre-feet last month Carter Lake Storage in Carter Lake decreased 13,057 acre-feet last month July 1, 2022 523,832 93,528 137,655 50,083 Total Storage Granby Carter Horsetooth Empty 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000 900,000 Acre‐FeetJuly 1 Total Storage 523,832 12,301 Acre‐Feet 8240 8250 8260 8270 8280 8290 Nov‐17Feb‐18May‐18Aug‐18Nov‐18Feb‐19May‐19Aug‐19Nov‐19Feb‐20May‐20Aug‐20Nov‐20Feb‐21May‐21Aug‐21Nov‐21Feb‐22May‐22Aug‐22Elevation (ft)137,655 19,080 Acre‐Feet 5360 5380 5400 5420 5440 Nov‐17Feb‐18May‐18Aug‐18Nov‐18Feb‐19May‐19Aug‐19Nov‐19Feb‐20May‐20Aug‐20Nov‐20Feb‐21May‐21Aug‐21Nov‐21Feb‐22May‐22Aug‐22Elevation (ft)93,528 18,702 Acre‐Feet 5660 5680 5700 5720 5740 5760 5780 Nov‐17Feb‐18May‐18Aug‐18Nov‐18Feb‐19May‐19Aug‐19Nov‐19Feb‐20May‐20Aug‐20Nov‐20Feb‐21May‐21Aug‐21Nov‐21Feb‐22May‐22Aug‐22Elevation (ft) C-BT Project Allocated Water C-BT Active Storage C-BT Delivery Obligations Notes: July 1, 2022 1) Quota set at 80% 2) Carryover - Entites certified 54,014 Acre-Feet of Carryover for WY2022. for Carryover so that adequate supplies are set aside to fulfill all potential obligations. 3) Regional Pool - Additional water acrued to the Regional Pool on April 30, 2022. There is 19,547 Acre-Feet in the Regional Pool for WY 2022. 130%, Project Reserves 69%, Certified Quota 0%, Collateral 7%, Carryover 3%, Replacement and Contracts 9%, Windy Gap 18%, Empty Project Reserves Regional Pool Certified Quota Collateral Carryover Replacement and Contracts Windy Gap Empty % number represents equivalent quota 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 Acre-Feet Quota Delivered Remaining 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 Acre-Feet Carryover Delivered Remaining Max Potential 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Acre-Feet Replacement Delivered Remaining 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 Acre-Feet Regional Pool Delivered Remaining Unallocated C-BT Project Deliveries July 1, 2022 Deliveries by Area Deliveries by Use 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Acre-FeetAdams Tunnel Total YTD 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Acre-Feet C-BT Project Deliveries Includes Quota, Carryover, Regional Pool and Noncharge Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 52%46% 2% June Carter Horsetooth Other 52%42% 6% Water Year Carter Horsetooth Other 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Acre-FeetHorsetooth Carter Other 12% 88% June Agriculture M&I 4% 96% Water Year Agriculture M&I 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Acre-FeetAgriculture M&I Utilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 – fax 970.224.6003 – TDD utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities M E M O R A N D U M DATE: June 22, 2022 TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers FROM: Jared Heath, Watershed Specialist THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director RE: 2022 Spring Water Quality Update – Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Bottom Line: The Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program is a partnership between the cities of Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton, and Soldier Canyon Drinking Water Authority. The goal of this shared monitoring effort is to assist the participants in meeting current and future drinking water treatment goals by reporting current water quality conditions and trends within the Upper CLP watershed. The attached water quality update provides a summary of temperature, snowpack, streamflow, and water quality conditions monitored in the Upper CLP watershed during the 2022 spring season. Background: The seasonal water quality updates are designed to inform the Upper CLP Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program partners, their customers, and other community stakeholders about the condition of our source watershed and the quality of the raw CLP River drinking water supply. This seasonal reporting effort began in 2015 to provide a succinct and timely summary of current-year conditions in the Upper CLP Watershed. Seasonal updates are published for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. In depth water quality reporting is done through annual and five-year technical reports. Water quality reports and seasonal updates are made publicly available on the Fort Collins Utilities website, fcgov.com /source-water-monitoring. Spring 2022 Highlights: Spring water quality monitoring captures water quality conditions from the start of snowmelt runoff to near peak streamflow in the CLP River. Water quality conditions vary with changes in elevation, hydrologic and weather conditions, and other potential watershed impacts. Snowpack conditions in the Upper CLP watershed were near normal by the end of the 2022 snow accumulation season. The maximum amount of water stored within the snowpack measured 104 percent of normal. While air temperature measured slightly below average and precipitation measured above average, there was only a slight improvement in drought conditions across the watershed. Streamflow in the Poudre River near the canyon mouth measured 120 percent of average over the spring season. As expected, water quality conditions were variable over the spring 2022 monitoring season. Key water quality indicators measured within the expected spring water quality conditions (baseline); however, some noteworthy differences were observed compared to baseline conditions. The most notable changes were driven by excessive amounts of sediment and ash that were introduced to the river from the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar during the 2021 monsoon season. As streamflow increased during the spring 2022 monitoring season, this material was resuspended and transported downstream, which impacted water quality conditions throughout much of the Upper CLP watershed. Despite the challenging water quality conditions in the Poudre River during the spring season, drinking water supplied to Utilities customers remained clean and safe. CC: Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities Jill Oropeza, Water Quality Services Director, Utilities Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities Water Commission Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program SPRING 2022 WATER QUALITY UPDATE Source Water Monitoring The Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program is a partnership between the cities of Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton, and Soldier Canyon Drinking Water Authority. The program helps these water providers meet present and future drinking water treatment goals. Water quality monitoring of our raw (untreated), CLP River drinking water supply is conducted April through November. Monitoring sites are strategically located throughout the Upper CLP watershed and data provide valuable information about the health of our source watershed and quality of our raw water supply. The Spring 2022 Water Quality Update provides a seasonal summary of watershed conditions in the Upper CLP watershed by highlighting weather, snowpack, and streamflow conditions over the spring season (March – May), as well as water quality information collected April and May. Water quality during spring snowmelt runoff is highly variable. To better capture this seasonal variability, monitoring is conducted two times per month. Results are reported for six key monitoring sites located throughout the Upper CLP watershed. Monitoring sites capture water quality conditions above and below major tributaries and near water supply intake structures (Figure 1). Current water quality conditions are compared to baseline water quality conditions collected from 2008 to 2012. Figure 1 – Upper CLP Collaborative Monitoring Program water quality sampling sites and real-time water quality instrument locations. JWC - Joe Wright Creek above the confluence with the Poudre River PJW - Poudre River above the confluence with Joe Wright Creek PBR - Poudre River below Rustic PSF - Poudre River below the confluence with the Little South Fork PNF - Poudre River above the confluence with the North Fork at the City of Fort Collins’ Intake PBD - Poudre River below the confluence with the North Fork at the Bellvue Diversion 2 Temperature Air temperature measured at the Joe Wright Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) station over the 2022 spring season was 0.1°F cooler than the long-term average and ranked as the sixteenth coldest spring on record (out of 33 years). Monthly mean air temperature was below average in March and April, and above average in May (Table 1). Temperature 2022 (ºF) Average (ºF) Departure (ºF)2022 Rank March 25.0 25.2 -0.3 15th (H) April 30.0 30.5 -0.5 11th (C) May 39.0 38.5 0.5 11th (H) Spring 31.3 31.4 -0.2 16th (C) Table 1 – Monthly mean air temperatures measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the spring months of 2022 compared to the long-term average (1991 – 2020). Note: H = hottest and C = coldest Precipitation Precipitation measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the 2022 spring season was above average and ranked as the eighth wettest spring on record (out of 44 years). Precipitation was below average in March and above average in April and May. March was the sixth driest on record and May was the fifth wettest on record (Table 2). Drought conditions improved near the headwaters of the Upper CLP watershed due to above average precipitation measured in April and May (Figure 2). Total Precipitation 2022 (inches) Average (inches) % of Average 2022 Rank March 3.3 4.5 73%6th (D) April 6.6 5.7 117%10th (W) May 6.6 4.3 155%5th (W) Spring 16.5 14.4 114%8th (W) Table 2 – Monthly accumulated precipitation totals measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the 2022 spring season compared to the long-term average (1991 – 2020). Note: W = wettest and D = driest Figure 2 – Drought conditions for the state of Colorado as monitored by the United States Drought Monitor on March 1, 2022 (left), and May 31, 2022 (right). Map source: droughtmonitor.unl.edu 3 Snowpack Snow water equivalent (SWE), the amount of water held in the snowpack, at the Joe Wright SNOTEL station near Cameron Pass was below normal (median calculated over the 1991 – 2020 measurement period) for most of the snow accumulation season (October through May). Monthly maximum SWE was slightly below normal in October and November, above normal from December through February, and near normal from March through May. The maximum amount of water contained in the snowpack, referred to as peak SWE, was observed on May 10 and measured 24.9 inches – 104% of normal. Peak SWE across the entire Upper CLP watershed measured near normal. The Poudre Mainstem and North Fork CLP watersheds measured slightly above normal, while the South Fork CLP watershed measured slightly below normal (Figure 3). Figure 3 – Peak SWE measured at snowpack monitoring sites throughout the Upper CLP River watershed in 2022. CLP River, May 23, 2022 Jordyn Geller, watershed technician for Fort Collins Utilities, collects water quality data from the Little South Fork. 4 Streamflow Conditions Streamflow at the CLP River near the Canyon Mouth (CLAFTCCO) stream gage measured 79,105 acre-feet of water over the spring season, which was 120% of the long-term average (calculated over the 1881 – 2021 measurement period). Snowmelt runoff began as expected in April. Streamflow increased slowly through April before rapidly increasing in early-May. Streamflow measured above average for the first two weeks of May before cooler weather slowed the pace of snowmelt for the remainder of the month. Streamflow measured above average in all spring months (Figure 4). Figure 4 – Streamflow conditions on the Poudre River over the 2022 spring season (left) and monthly total water volume measured over the spring season (right). Water Quality Indicators The Upper CLP Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program uses several key water quality indicators, including pH, conductivity, temperature, and turbidity, which act as surrogates for other parameters. (Table 3). These indicators provide a snapshot of water quality conditions and are useful for identifying trends or changes in water quality. Significant changes in these water quality indicators may provide an early warning of potential water pollution. Water Quality Indicator Explanation Temperature Water temperature influences other water quality parameters and is a major driver of biological activity and algal growth in rivers, including certain phytoplankton species that produce the taste and odor compounds, geosmin and 2-methlyisoborneol. pH pH is an important water quality parameter to monitor, because it influences the solubility and biological availability of chemical constituents, including nutrients and heavy metals. pH near 7 is considered neutral, with more acidic conditions occurring below 7 and more basic, or alkaline, conditions occurring above 7. Specific Conductivity Conductivity is an index of dissolved ionic solids in water. Conductivity is used as a general measure of water quality. Significant increases in conductivity can be used as an indicator of increased pollution. Turbidity Turbidity is monitored to track changes in water clarity. Clarity is influenced by the presence of algae and/or suspended solids introduced to surface waters through various land use activities, including runoff and erosion, urban stormwater runoff and drainage from agricultural lands. For water treatment, turbidity is an important indicator of the amount of suspended material that is available to harbor pollutants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens, nutrients and organic matter. Table 3 – Water quality indicators measured as part of the Upper Cache la Poudre Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program. 5 Spring monitoring captures water quality conditions from the start of snowmelt runoff to near peak streamflow in the CLP River. Water quality conditions vary with changes in elevation, contributing watershed area and potential watershed impacts. Water temperature was cooler than baseline at all key monitoring sites. pH values were within the range of values observed over the baseline period of record and measured slightly lower than the baseline median at all key monitoring sites. Specific conductivity measured near or slightly above the baseline maximum from Joe Wright Creek (JWC) downstream to Mainstem below the South Fork (PSF). Specific conductivity was near the baseline median at both the City of Fort Collins and City of Greeley’s intakes (PNF and PBD). Turbidity levels measured near the baseline median at higher elevation monitoring sites in JWC and the Mainstem above Joe Wright Creek (PJW). A notable increase in turbidity was observed in the Poudre below Rustic (PBR) downstream to the City of Greeley’s intake (PBD). Turbidity levels at these sites were near or above the baseline maximum (Figure 5). Elevated specific conductivity and turbidity levels at these sites indicate higher amounts of sediment and solids (dissolved and suspended), introduced from the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar over the 2021 monsoon season, are impacting water quality during snowmelt runoff. Joe Wright Creek Canyon Mouth Figure 5 – Water quality indicator data collected at key monitoring sites over the 2022 spring monitoring season (April and May) compared to baseline spring water quality conditions. 6 Post-Cameron Peak Wildfire Water Quality Impacts Water quality monitoring instruments were installed at two locations upstream of the Poudre supply intake facility in early April. The Poudre at Indian Meadows site is located one mile downstream of the Town of Rustic and the Manners Bridge site is located approximately one mile upstream of the City’s raw water intake. This monitoring system provides water treatment operations near real-time water quality data to quickly respond to changes in Poudre River water quality that result from runoff from the Cameron Peak burn area or other upstream events. Post-fire impacts from the Cameron Peak Fire continue to affect water quality in the Poudre River during spring snowmelt. High intensity rain events during the 2021 monsoon season caused severe erosion of sediment, ash, and other debris from burned hillslopes into the Poudre River. This material was delivered downstream and accumulated on the banks and bottom of the Poudre River. As streamflow quickly increased from spring snowmelt, the stored material was resuspended in the water causing elevated turbidity levels (Figure 6). A substantial “flush” of sediment and ash occurred for several weeks in early-May turning the river dark brown. In response to the degraded water quality conditions in the Poudre River, water providers shutdown their Poudre River intakes and relied on alternate water sources to provide clean and safe drinking water. Figure 6 – Turbidity measured in the Poudre River at the Indian Meadows real-time water quality instrument during the month of May. Ash and sediment, visible in the lower right corner of the image, resuspended in the water as streamflows increased, April 2022. Source: FireForest 7 2021 Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Water Quality Annual Report The Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program recently released its 2021 Annual Report. The 2021 Annual Report summarizes climate and hydrology in the Upper CLP watershed over the 2021 calendar year and water quality data collected as part of the Upper CLP Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program. Water quality reports can be found online at fcgov.com/source-water-monitoring. High turbidity in the Mainstem Poudre River near the City of Fort Collins raw water supply intake on May 9, 2022. FCGOV.COM/WATER-QUALITY Learn More Utilities electric  stormwater  wastewater  water 700 Wood St. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 fax  970.224.6003 TDD utilities@fcgov.com  fcgov.com/utilities MEMORANDUM DATE: June 21, 2022 TO: Mayor and City Council Water Commission THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities Ken Sampley, Director, Stormwater and Wastewater Engineering FROM: Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Floodplain Administrator RE: Approval of the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee Annual Report In 2014, the City of Fort Collins brought together internal and external stakeholders to review and develop flood awareness public information messaging. A report in 2014 outlined target areas and audiences, messages, and projects. The committee has met annually, and numerous projects have been implemented. The attached 2022 annual report documents the revised target areas and audiences, messages and projects that will help guide Fort Collins Utilities and the committee’s stakeholders during the coming years. This effort receives credit under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a program that provides an incentive for communities to go beyond the minimum FEMA requirements for floodplain management. A benefit for participation in the program is discounted insurance premiums for residents and businesses that purchase flood insurance. Fort Collins currently holds a Class 2 CRS rating, which results in up to a 40% discount on flood insurance premiums. However, even more important than the insurance discount is the improved health and safety of the community. Please contact Marsha Hilmes-Robinson at mhilmesrobinson@fcgov.com or 970-224-6036, if you have any questions. DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committ ee Annual Evaluation Report April 2022 High Water Mark sign installed at Colorado State University near the lagoon. (Photos courtesy Colorado State University.) In Support of FEMA’s Community Rating System DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 History of the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee The City of Fort Collins, Colorado is a community of approximately 1 75,000 people along the Colorado Front Range. Fort Collins is subject to both flash flooding and river flooding. The City has a comprehensive floodplain management program that includes public information and preparedness as a main focus. Fort Collins participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that provides flood insurance discounts to communities that go above and beyond the minimum standards for floodplain management. One of the activities credited under the CRS is public outreach. In 2014, the City initiated a review of the existing outreach efforts related to flooding. As part of this review, the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee was formed. This committee is composed of internal and external stakeholders with the goal of developing a “Program for Public Information” that will guide the City of Fort Collins in the coming years. This Program for Public Information follows the guidance provided as part of CRS outreach activities. In 2020, a comprehensive 5-year review of the Program for Public Information was prepared. This report is the annual update to the 5-year review. 2022 Annual Committee Meeting A re quirement of the CRS is that the Committee meets at least annually to review progress, evaluate the messages and projects and make recommendations for future changes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 20 22 annual meeting of the Committee was held virtually on February 3, 2022. Appendix A includes the meeting agenda and the attendance list based on the online attendance. Figure 1. Committee members in attendance at the 202 2 annual meeting. 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 RiskMAP Discussion at 2022 Meeting Once again, RiskMAP was delayed, but is again moving forward. Revised Preliminary maps are now available. The Committee listened to an update on the flood mapping for the Poudre River and the public outreach that was conducted in 2021 utilizing the ideas generated by the committee at the 2021 annual meeting. The appeal period is now expected to begin in April 2022. Figure 2. RiskMAP webpage used for the 2021 Open House. 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Website Demo and Feedback Eric Kossoris provided an update on the website changes that are being made to the City’s flood pages. The website will closely follow the messages developed by the committee and will include more photos. The RiskMAP page is an example of how the pages will look. The structure of the pages is presented below. When the pages go live, the committee will be notified and feedback can be provided. Review of Target Audiences, Messages, Desired Outcomes and Projects 20 21 Highlights Despite the continuation of COVID, the committee shared flood awareness messaging with the Fort Collins community in a variety of ways. We were not able to do in-person events, but we still made progress on many of the goals discussed during the 5 -year plan update. A key goal continues to be increasing messaging to Spanish speakers. This was accomplished by: •Having one bus bench in Spanish. This was located in an area close to histor ically Latinx neighborhoods and near a major grocery store and other community services . •Publishing the flood brochure content in Spanish online with a link to that information on the mailed brochure. Web Page Update 15 Figure 3. Web Page update structure. 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Accomplishments for 2021 •Outreach updated with new messages from the 5-year update. •Flood Awareness Week – Mailers sent and banners posted. Displays were not done due to buil ding closures. •Increased flood information sent by Board of Realtors . •More coordination with stakeholders for outreach – Board of Realtors, PSD, Poudre Heritage, CSU •CSU installed a new Flood Marker on the campus near the lagoon (see cover photo) •FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 was rolled out in October 2021 and numerous training sessions were offered. Figure 4. The Spanish bus bench for 2021 was located on Willox Lane. Figure 5. The brochure mailer with the link to the information translated into Spanish. 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Projects that were on hold or modified : •Virtual events – Earth Day, Poudre River Fest were not well attended in 2020. Therefore , Fort Collins Utilities did not attend these virtual events in 2021. More options will likely be available in 2022 although staffing is an issue. •FloodWalk App was on hold pending FEMA approval but is now progressing . •Emergency Preparedness Calendars are no longer being prepared by Poudre Fire Authority. Review and Changes for 2022 The committee reviewed the target areas and audiences, message topics, desired outcomes and specific projects that were implemented in 2021. Appendix B includes Tables 1, 2, and 3 and the PowerPoint presentation that were used to facilitate this review. Each individual stakeholder provided a summary of their actions related to specific projects and their opinion on the effectiveness of the projects. For th e messages, the committee decided to change the Urban Flooding topic to “Situational/Location Awareness.” For the associated messages under this topic, the group decided to have a small group do some additional brainstorming of possible messages and then bring back options to the group via email. The subcommittee developed three possible messages and the larger group did not have any edits to those possible messages. A poll went to the group to vote on the top two messages . Figure 6. Voting tool for new messages for the Location/Situational Awareness topic. 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 The group selected the following as the new messages for the Location Awareness Topic: •Know the flood risk where you live, work, and play. Burn scars and urban areas increase the risk of flash flooding. •Know before you go: be location- and weather-aware. Plans for 2022 Committee members shared their plans for 202 2. •The City’s floodplain webpages will be revised and updated this year. The goal is to have them complete prior to Flood Awareness Week in May. •The Flood Walk App will begin again. •Natural Areas will be doing an update to the Play It Safe materials . •Wildland Restoration Volunteers said the Poudre River Fest is expected to be in- person this year. •It is the 25th anniversary of the 1997 Fort Collins flood. o No special event is planned since one was done for the 20th anniversary. o The 1997 flood will be highlighted in the Flood Awareness Brochure and in a special Utility Bill Insert o FEMA external Affairs can assist with any messaging. •FEMA will begin a Flood After Fire campaign. This w ill tie to our new Location Awareness messaging. Outcomes continue to be difficult to quantify, especially during the pandemic. The Flood Response Projects were not utilized in 20 21. Any committee member not at the meeting was provided a draft copy of t his report and asked to provide any additional feedback. Appro val of Annual Evaluation Report The Community Rating System requires formal approval of this evaluation report by the Utilities Executive Director (Appendix C). In addition, a copy of this report will be provided to the City’s Water Board and to City Council after approval. 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Appendix A Meeting Agenda, Attendance Sheet 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 8 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 FORT COLLINS FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PUBLIC INFORMAITON COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA Location: Virtual Date: February 3 , 2022 Time: 9-11 a.m. Facilitator: Name(s) 20 min Welcome! Pete Iengo 10 min 2021 Accomplishments Marsha Hilmes- Robinson 5 min Discuss Poudre River Mapping (RiskMAP) status Marsha Hilmes- Robinson 20 min Website Demo and Feedback Eric Kossoris 5 min Break 15 min Review Target Areas and Audiences Marsha Hilmes- Robinson 25 min Review Messages Marsha Hilmes- Robinson 15 min Review Projects for 2022 •Flood Awareness Week 1997 Flood – 25-year Anniversary •Update Web pages – volunteer reviewers •FloodWalk App Marsha Hilmes- Robinson 5 min Feedback – Next Steps – Photo •Annual Report, Meeting in 2023 AGENDA 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 1 2022 Meeting Attendance Virtual Meeting Internal Stakeholders Floodplain Administrator/Manager Marsha Hilmes-Robinson Public Information Office (PIO) Eric Kossoris City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Charlotte Norville City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability Dianne Tjalkens External Stakeholders Poudre School District John Holcomb Resilience Action Partners Vince Hancock Colorado State University Susanne Cordery Wildlands Restoration Volunteers Annemarie Fussell Anderson Consulting Engineers Aaron Hansen FEMA – Flood Insurance Erin May Diana Herarra Red Cross Jessica Schwindt Facilitator: Pete Iengo 10 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Appendix B Items Used in Review Table 2: Topics and Messages Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Table 4: Flood Response Projects Power Point Presentations 11 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Six CRS Priority Topics Proposed Messages 1.Know your flood hazard •Everyone has flood risks: know yours. •Fort Collins has a flood history: it’s not if, but when. 2.Insure your property for your flood hazard •Only flood insurance covers floods. Purchase Flood Insurance. •Buy When It’s Dry. Don’t Wait to Get Flood Insurance. 3.Protect people from the hazard •Get a kit, make a plan, be informed. (Red Cross message) 4.Protect your property from the hazard • Learn how to protect your property from flood damage. 5.Build Responsibly •Build responsibly: Know the floodplain regulations. 6.Protect natural floodplain functions •Only rain down the storm drain. •Protect wetlands, waterways, and river/stream banks…they protect you. Additional Topics Proposed Messages 7.Flood Warning •We can’t warn you, if we can’t reach you. Sign up for LETA 911. •Knowledge is power! Stay informed during a flood. 8.Play It Safe in Recreation Areas • Play it safe on the Poudre River – Know before you go. • Respect the power of water – play it safe. 9.Situational/ Location Awareness •Know the flood risk where you live, work, and play. Burn scars and urban areas increase the risk of flash flooding. •Know before you go: be location- and weather-aware. 10.Travel Safe •Don’t enter, drive, walk or bike through floodwaters. •Turn around, don’t drown. 13 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 14 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Existing Projects that will Continue (Some with Enhancements) Floodplain Owner/Renter Brochure OP#1 Annually with Flood Awareness Week – usually May or July. Mailed to 7,310 owners and residents in 2021. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe Residents in the 100- and 500-Year Floodplain Non-English Speakers Urban Areas Utilities CSU Natural Areas FEMA Red Cross Prepare brochure and mailing Distribute brochures at the start of school -Natural & beneficial functions endorsement Logo on brochure Logo on brochure, Preparedness section, Completed Not Completed Completed Completed Completed Consider differenct audiences and adjust language as needed. Flood Videos OP#18 - City OP#19 – CSU OP#22 – PSD Played during May-September and especially during Flood Awareness Week. Each video played more than 5 times each. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General CSU Community PSD Community Utilities CSU PSD Cable Channel 14 CSU plays videos on Channel 11 PSD plays videos on their Cable Channel Completed Completed Completed Bus Benches OP#3 Annually June-Aug. Five or Six benches total -Know Your Flood Hazard -Travel Safe Drivers Non-English Speakers – Have one bench in Spanish, if possible - Completed Utilities 5-6 benches around town during flood season Completed Utilities in coordination with Parks - Signage for trails and trail closures with messages CSU – signage for underpasses High Water Markers OP#4 – City OP#5 – CSU Posted year-round -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Protect your property -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Flood Warning- Trail Users CSU Utilities Utilities and FEMA 3 High Water Marks on Campus. More planned for the future 6 High Water Mark Signs on Spring Creek 2 High Water Mark Signs on the Poudre Completed Completed Completed – 2017 CSU completed new high water mark sign at the Lagoon. City planning new high water mark sign at Homestead Natural Area. 15 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Trail Signs OP#6 Posted year-round -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions Or -Know Your Flood Hazard -Play It Safe Trail Users and Poudre River Recreation Users Utilities Utilities and FEMA Natural Areas WRV Poudre Heritage, PFA, Natural Areas Multiple Signs 2013 Flood Signs along Poudre River Multiple Trail Signs 1 sign location (Dragonfly Lair), Play It Safe kiosk with brochures, safety signage along Poudre River Completed Completed in 2018 Completed Completed Completed 2019 Social Media/Website OP#9 Social Media Messages posted May-September and especially during Flood Awareness Week. Plan for 6 topics and those to be repeated 2-5 times each. Website to be reworked to include new messages – Spring 2022 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Non-English Speakers Urban Areas Utilities Other Stakeholders FEMA At least 6 social media announcements. Comprehensive website includes mapping and flood warning Repost and customize email, website Completed - but a few less due to COVID priority messaging. Completed Completed Add messages in Spanish in 2022. Floodplain webpages to finish being updated in 2022. FEMA will have a "Flood After Fire" Campaign and more on Flood Insurance Realtor, Lender, Insurance Mailer OP#2 Annually during Flood Awareness Week - May or July 303 mailers sent in 2021 plus Board of Realtor email distribution -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Floodplain Regulations (some years) -Build Responsibly Realtors, Lenders & Insurance Agents, Property Managers Utilities Board of Realtors Prepare newsletter, mailing mailing list, Review of newsletter Completed – sent to lenders, insurance agents, property managers Completed Repetitive Loss Letter Annually during Flood Awareness Week - May or July -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe Repetitive Loss Property Utilities 1 time per year Completed 16 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Community Booths/Events (Non-Target Audience) OP#12 – City Utilities OP#13 – City Natural Areas – Need to remove OP#14 – Wildland Restoration Volunteers OP#15 – Red Cross Various events throughout the year. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Utilities Red Cross WRV Natural Areas FEMA Minimum 3 per year (Safety Fair, Earth Day) Minimum 3 per year, provide brochures Five per year - CSU Natural Resources Days, 2 Farmers Markets, Sustainable Living Fair, Taste of Fort Collins, New West Fest Minimum 3 per year Provide brochures 2 in 2020 - Virtual Not coordinated in 2020 Not as many completed due to COVID - Did Virtual Poudre River Walk Not completed Completed No Longer doing related to flood issues CSU Off-Campus Housing Fair OP#20 Annual event – Usually held in February -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Flood Warning -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Utilities CSU FEMA Booth with brochures and handouts Sponsors event Provides brochures Not Completed in 2022 - staffing shortages Community Presentations (Non-Target Audience) OP#16 – Red Cross OP#17 – Natural Areas Various events throughout the year. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Utilities Red Cross Natural Areas Poudre Heritage Alliance Minimum two per year Preparedness Party – minimum 3 per year Service Group- Community Presentations Minimum 3 per year Guided walks, restoration projects, clean-up days – Minimum 5 per year Poudre Pub Talks Two in 2022 Not coordinated in 2021 Completed 5 + Not completed due to COVID Realtor, Lender, Insurance Agent Presentations Will try for Fall 2020. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect Property from the Hazard -Urban Flooding Realtors, Lenders, Property Managers & Insurance Agents Utilities Board of Realtors Minimum 3 per year Coordinate with Realtors, Lenders, Home Builders Assoc., Property Managers and advertising Not completed – no requests, lack of time to promote. Dump No Waste Inlet Markers Posted year-round -Protect Property from Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions General Utilities Prepare map of locations, mark inlets Completed Trail head pop-ups planned. 17 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Disaster Preparedness Calendar OP#11 Annually – December-January -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning -Travel Safe General Office of Emergency Management Prepare calendar, coordinate messages Not completed - Not as much interest Flood Protection Assistance and Site Visits Annually advertised in May City News -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Urban Flooding General Utilities Provide free site visits to residents and businesses. Advertise service in City News. Completed three in 2021. City News – Utility Bill – May OP#7 Annual article in May -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Travel Safe General Utilities Prepare newsletter article Completed City News – Utility Bill – July OP#8 Annual article in July -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning -Travel Safe General Utilities Prepare newsletter article Completed Flood Awareness Week Displays –Poster and Brochures OP#10 Annually with Flood Awareness Week – usually May or July. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Non-English Speakers Utilities FEMA Red Cross Set-up displays Provide Brochures Provide Brochures Not completed in 2021 due to COVID and building closures. Will plan for 2022. Update messages and poster in future More Spanish Language availability besides the one at the Azatlan Center. Obtain Spanish language version of FEMA brochures Education in Schools – Children’s Water Festival OP#21 Annual event in May -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe Poudre School District Students Utilities Other Stakeholders –Dive Rescue, Poudre Fire Authority, USGS consultants, etc. Flood Safety Relay Race, Flood Probability Shower Exhibits and booths on Flood Safety, erosion, stream table, wetlands and riparian habitat, water quality Not Completed due to COVID Not Completed due to COVID Will not be held in 2022 due to COVID 18 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Education in Schools – Earth Force RISE Program Annual activity during the school year. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe Poudre School District Students Earth Force FEMA Utilities Rocky Mountain Environmental Challenge –now called RISE Program Support. Talk at Awards Ceremony Provide support to teachers and students. Give presentations to classes Completed Completed Realtor Training/Continuing Education Plan for Fall 2020 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Floodplain Regulations Realtors, Property Managers, etc. Utilities Board of Realtors FEMA Offer training Help secure CEC, make contacts, advertising Assist with training Not completed – lack of time CSU Newsletter Plan for Fall 2020 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Flood Warning -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe CSU Community - Students and Staff – 100% coverage CSU Campus- wide email newsletter: Source Completed in 2018, but not since Messaging to Homeless Population about Safety Usually in April. -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning General Vulnerable Population Facilities Social Sustainability Individual contacts or through signage and other agencies - Churches, Murphy Center Brochures available through Service Providers CSU QR Codes Date uncertain -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe CSU Community General CSU Prepare QR Code Signs and install around campus New for 2020 Flood Walk App Work in progress – App scheduled to be released in May 2021 - delayed due to FEMA funding -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Protect Natural Floodplain Functions -Flood Warning -Play it Safe in Recreation Areas -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Resilience Action Partners FEMA Utilities Develop App Funding and Guidance Provide info, photos, etc. New for 2020 - In progress 19 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects Projects Outcome achieved? Message Topics Were messages achieved? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Audience Completed? (Yes unless noted otherwise) Stakeholder Support ALL or some? Action Completed/Not Completed and why Recommended Changes Poudre School District Bus Drivers Training August Training -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning -Travel Safe Poudre School District Community - Staff Poudre School Dist. Incorporate flood safety messaging into bus driver training New for 2020 Advertising Before Events – Garden’s Concerts, Downtown Concerts, Museum of Discovery, Movie Theaters, etc. Summer 2023 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Protect People from Hazard -Flood Warning -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Utilities Contact organizations to determine options. Prepare Graphics and messaging New for 2020 Climate-Wise Flood Friendly Businesses Summer 2023 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Urban Flooding -Travel Safe General Utilities Contact Climate-Wise staff to brainstorm ideas. New for 2020 Neighbor to Neighbor Home Buying Course – Add flood information Fall 2022 -Know Your Flood Hazard -Insure Your Property -Protect People from Hazard -Protect Property from Hazard -Build Responsibly -Urban Flooding General Utilities Contact Neighbor to Neighbor. Provide floodplain brochure and any graphics and messages for training New for 2020 20 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Table 4: Flood Response Projects Projects Message Topics Audience Stakeholder Support Action Website •Know Your Flood Hazard •Protect People from Hazard •Protect Property from Hazard •Insure Your Property •Build Responsibly •Floodplain Regulations •Flood warning •Basement Flooding •Drive Safe •General •Residents and owners in 100-year floodplain •Flooded homes and businesses •Building design professionals •Utilities •FEMA •Red Cross •During and after a flood: Post information on City website and provide links to additional FEMA and Red Cross resources. Brochure Displays •Know Your Flood Hazard •Protect People from Hazard •Protect Property from Hazard •Insure Your Property •Build Responsibly •Floodplain Regulations •General •Flooded homes and businesses •Building design professionals •Utilities •Red Cross •FEMA •After a flood: Set up displays at locations around town with brochures for the public. •Provide brochures. Social Media •Know Your Flood Hazard •Protect People from Hazard •Protect Property from Hazard •Insure Your Property •Build Responsibly •Floodplain Regulations •Flood warning •Basement Flooding •Drive Safe •General •Residents and owners in 100-year floodplain •Flooded homes and businesses •Building design professionals •Utilities •During and after a flood: Send social media messages via Facebook/Twitter. 21 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Feb. 3, 2022 Meeting Presentation 1 1 2022 Floodplain Management Public Info Committee Pete Iengo and Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, CFM 2-3-2022RECORD 2 Orientating to Zoom 2 • Name and pronouns (John Doe | he,him) • Mute when not speaking • If you have any trouble, Pete • Purpose – Develop and monitor a public information program that guides Stormwater into the future. • Goal – Internal and external collaboration to develop partnerships, share expertise and create consistent messaging for the public. Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee 3 Agenda •Welcome • 2021 Accomplishments • RiskMAP Outreach Update • Web Page Demo • Break • Target Areas & Audience • Review Messages • Review Projects • Next Steps 4 Pair and Share 5 Thank you for being here! Let’s get reacquainted  Partner up Share about your partner Name, organization Favorite “water season” and why Review 2021 plan and implementation Discuss implementation in 2022 Review target areas and audiences Review community message topics Review messages for each topic Review and update project inventory Annual Review 6 12 34 56 22 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Feb. 3, 2022 Meeting Presentation 2 Why is this important? • Personal safety of citizens • Reduced property damages • Reduced emergency response • Healthy river and streams =Flood Resilient Community 7 Committee Members • City Staff - Floodplain, PIO, Natural Resources, Social Sustainability, City Safety, Environmental Services • Board of Realtors • Red Cross •FEMA • Chamber of Commerce • Colorado State University • Wildland Restoration Volunteers • Poudre School District • Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers • Volunteers of America • Poudre Heritage Alliance •Earth Force • Resilience Action Partners Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee 8 2021 Accomplishments 99 Translation of flood brochure into Spanish and posted on web page Bus Bench in Spanish Virtual Events Outreach updated with new messages More coordination with stakeholders for outreach – Board of Realtors, PSD, Poudre Heritage, CSU FloodWalk App progressing again! Flood Awareness Week Stakeholder accomplishments –put in chat Even with COVID 10Poudre River RiskMAP Poudre River Remapping • Delayed again, but now moving forward!! • Poudre Mapping is pieced together and some is old (1984 topo and 1996 flood maps) • Revised Preliminary maps now available. 1904 Poudre Flooding near College Ave. 11 Timeline SUBJECT TO CHANGE 12 April 2022 July 2022 October 2022 April 2023 August 2022 Dec. 21, 2021 Jan. 27, 2022 78 910 11 12 23 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Feb. 3, 2022 Meeting Presentation 3 Appeal Period FEMA will open a 90‐day appeal period. During this time, citizens can file an appeal based on technical data. Expected this 90‐day appeal period will begin in April 2022. Must have supporting technical data for file an appeal. 13 Flood Insurance Overhaul Risk Rating 2.0 – Based on Individual Risk • Effective October 2021 • Mandatory Purchase Requirement still based off of FEMA Floodplain Maps • Premium Rating based on many more factors • Distance from stream • Floor height above ground • Premiums will change – some increase, some decreases. • The CRS Discount will become more important – now applies to all policies. • Type of foundation • Surrounding ground height – urban flooding issues Web Page Update 15 Web Page Update 16 Target Areas and Audiences • 100- and 500-year floodplain • Repetitive loss area (one property) • CSU Community • Poudre School District Community • Drivers • Realtors, lenders, insurance agents • Trail & Poudre River Recreation users • Non-English speaking populations • Vulnerable population facilities • Urban Area 17 Review 2021 Messages Know your flood hazard Everyone has flood risks: know yours. Fort Collins has a flood history: it’s not if, but when Insure your property for your flood hazard Only flood insurance covers floods Purchase Flood Insurance. Buy When It’s Dry. Don’t Wait to Get Flood Insurance. Protect people from the hazard Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. (Red Cross Message) Protect your property from the hazard Learn how to protect your property from flood damage. Build Responsibly Build responsibly: Know the floodplain regulations. 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 24 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Feb. 3, 2022 Meeting Presentation 4 Review 2021 Messages Protect natural floodplain functions Only rain down the storm drain. Protect the floodplain… it protects you. Flood Warning We can’t warn you, if we can’t reach you. Sign up for LETA 911. Knowledge is power! Stay informed during a flood. Play It Safe in Recreation Areas Play it safe on the Poudre – Know before you go. Respect the power of water – play it safe. 19 Flood Shower, Children’s Water Festival Review 2021 Messages Urban Flooding Urban flooding – know the risk. Basements, streets, sidewalks and trails may become unsafe. Travel Safe Don’t drive, walk or bike through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown. 20 Review Projects for 2022 • Flood Awareness Week • Focus on 1997 Flood – 25-year Anniversary • Update Floodplain webpages • High Water Mark Sign • Homestead Natural Area • RiskMAP • FloodWalkApp • Others? 21 1997 Spring Creek Flood. Feedback – Next Steps •Group Photo • Annual Report • Meeting in 2023 22 19 20 21 22 25 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 26 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Appendix C Approval of Annual Evaluation Report 27 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 28 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Program for Public Information REPORT APPROVAL The City of Fort Collins is highly committed to providing a proactive floodplain information and management preparedness program. An important component of floodplain management is public information and preparedness. Early this year, Fort Collins Utilities in cooperation with internal and external stakeholders reviewed and revised the Program for Public Information (PPI) that was developed in 2014. The goal of the committee was to bring outside stakeholders together with the City to develop partnerships, provide additional expertise and perspectives and create consistent messaging for the public. The result of the Committee's work is the attached report that reviews the community's needs, existing public information efforts and outlines future messaging and outreach projects. The report provides a guide for the continued collaboration among stakeholders as they work to implement future public outreach efforts. The efforts outlined in the Program for Public Information will have a long-term impact on the resiliency of the Fort Collins community to the impacts of flooding. Fort Collins Utilities is committed to providing proactive messaging to help reduce the loss of life and minimize the damage to structures. The projects outlined in the report are funded through the City of Fort Collins Stormwater Utility. Funding for public education is an ongoing program and is already included in the Stormwater Utility budget. Therefore, no additional funds will be sought from City Council. The PPI is considered an enhancement of our existing education efforts. I, Kendall Minor, approve this report, City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee: Annual Evaluation Report, April 2022. ______________________________ ________________ Kendall Minor Date Utilities Executive Director 29 DocuSign Envelope ID: CE5824D2-D2A2-42E1-8CD9-1CEE17143838 June 14, 2022 DocuSign Envelope ID: 3D0AF02A-6E7F-41EE-9C05-CD5EF7F40997 Mayor City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.416.2154 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com June 21, 2022 Water Commission c/o Jason Graham, Staff Liaison, Director of Water Utilities PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Dear Chair Tarry and Commission Members: On behalf of City Council, thank you for providing us with the June 16, 2022 memorandum regarding “Water Commission’s Response to the Development of a City Graywater Ordinance” wherein you summarized the Commission’s vote against the recommendation to City Council to approve a local graywater ordinance in accordance with the State’s standards, as outlined in Regulation 86, and local water rights. It’s helpful to understand your reasoning behind the opposing vote, that of benefits not supporting the cost and that Council priorities bypass the BFO process. As you know, this topic is scheduled for Council consideration at the August 16 regular meeting. We encourage you to view the proceedings that night and remain engaged in the conversation. Thank you for the expertise and perspectives that you bring to the Water Commission and sharing them with City Council. Best Regards, Jeni Arndt Mayor /sek cc: City Council Members Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Arndt and City Council FROM: Jason Tarry, Water Commission Chairperson DATE: June 16, 2022 RE: Water Commission’s Response to the Development of a City Graywater Ordinance CC: Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director At the April 21 regular meeting, the City’s Water Conservation Specialist presented on the development of a graywater ordinance. The development of this ordinance was identified as a City Council priority for 2021-2023. The motion voted on was for the Water Commission to recommend City Council approve a local graywater ordinance in accordance with the State’s standards, as outlined in Regulation 86, and local water rights. The Water Commission voted to not pass the motion (vote: 1 for and 6 against). The commissioners’ justifications for voting against the motion were as follow:  The benefit does not support the cost. The Water Commission supports the principle of implementing water conservation policies, but the cost, complexity and maintenance responsibilities for implementing graywater reuse systems for toilet flushing only (not irrigation use) exceeds the benefit (+46 year rate of return for single family homes). Similar programs in Denver and Douglas County only had a very small number of participants, and based on the data we were presented appeared to be not effective in reducing water consumption.  Council priorities bypass the BFO process. The time and City resources required to address Council priorities should be evaluated. If time and City resources exceed a threshold established by department leadership, Council priorities should be redirected as BFO offers. The concern is that work required to address Council priorities is added to staff’s workload without determining the resulting strain. The Water Commission remains committed to creative ways to conserve water and hopes to consider more effective proposals. The Water Commission is also interested in maintaining a positive City work culture that reduces staff burnout and increases staff retention. DocuSign Envelope ID: 40DC8F16-7776-44CF-9EA4-F976832D16A7