15.16.140 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. Permit Review. Review all development permits to determine that:
1. Permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;
2. All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;
3. The site is reasonably safe from flooding, and
4. The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. For purposes of this chapter, “adversely affects” means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point.
B. Review, Use and Development of Other Base Flood Data.
1. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.16.070, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other source, in order to administer Section 15.16.150. Any such information shall be submitted to the city council for adoption; or
2. If no base flood elevation data is available from a federal or state agency or other source, then a base flood elevation shall be obtained using one of two methods from the FEMA publication “Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas-A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (One-hundred-year) Flood Elevations” dated July 1995 in order to administer Section 15.16.150:
a. Simplified method.
i. One-hundred-year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the appropriate regression equation found in a U.S. Geological Survey publication, or the discharge drainage area method; and
ii. Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the Quick-2 computer program developed by FEMA; or
b. Detailed method. The one-hundred year or base flood discharge and the base flood elevation shall be obtained using detailed methods identified in FEMA Publication 265, published in July 1995 and titled “Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas—A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (One-hundred year) Flood Elevations.”
C. Notification of Other Agencies. In alteration or relocation of a watercourse:
1. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to alteration or relocation;
2. Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
3. Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.
D. Documentation of Floodplain Development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following:
1. Certification required by Section 15.16.150(C)(1) and 15.16.180 (lowest floor elevations),
2. Certification required by Section 15.16.150(C)(2) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures),
3. Certification required by Sections 15.16.150(C)(3) (wet floodproofing standard),
4. Certification of elevation required by Section 15.16.170(B) (subdivision standards),
5. Certification required by Section 15.16.190(A) (floodway encroachments),
E. Map Determinations. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard. Where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions, grade and base flood elevations shall be used to determine the boundaries of the special flood hazard area. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Section 15.16.210.
F. Remedial Action. Take action to remedy violations of this ordinance as specified in Section 15.16.080.
G. Base flood elevation changes due to physical alterations:
a. Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator shall submit or assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
b. All LOMR's for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of building permits. Building permits must not be issued based on Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR's). Approved CLOMR's allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the “start of construction definition. (Ord. 09-01, 2009; Ord. 04-02 (part), 2002; Ord. 87-6 § 4.3, 1987)