Thursday, February 25, 2010

City of Valley Falls wrestles with flood insurance decision

by Clarke Davis   

The National Flood Insurance Program topped the Valley Falls city council agenda Feb. 17.

A specialist in flood insurance from the state Division of Water Resources, Steve Samuelson, attended the meeting to help officials wade through the information.

Also present were a few local citizens who were notified of the topic who have property in the flood plain.

The way it was explained, no one can acquire flood insurance — at least not an affordable policy — unless the city passes an ordinance and joins the program. The insurance can then be bought through a local agent, but is actually a government-sponsored program.

Rates vary depending whether or not one’s property is in a flood plain or out of it. A flood, however, is defined as surface water crossing a property line, which can happen any where in the city from a hard rain.

One area of concern was the industrial area being developed on the south edge of the city. Bill Metzger of Valley Truck and Trailer said his office and shop were built above the flood plain, but future development in the area might be in jeopardy.

He said he intended to build an addition, but the elevation for the rest of that area could be “an on or off switch” for future growth.

“It’s not whether I’m for it or against it,” he said. “I don’t want to be the cause of someone not being able to get flood insurance . . . It’s the city’s industrial park.”

Building permits cannot be issued to anyone building in a flood plain, but it was noted that any kind of federal involvement, especially loans and grants, can not be obtained without being in the program.

It was suggested the city have a surveyor check the elevations in that area to test the accuracy of the flood map provided by Jefferson County. Samuelson said cases built on proof can have some areas removed from the flood plain.

Fill dirt and foundations can also raise some structures above the flood mark, but areas requiring too much fill become cost prohibitive to build.

Another wrinkle to the conversation is whether or not a city can be held liable for not enrolling in the program. Keeping someone from being able to obtain insurance and then having that person suffer a loss, could cause a court action.

Administrator Terry Urban was back from vacation and had time to look into the water bill disparity issue that had some residents upset after receiving their last bill.

Urban believes the great disparity between months – some had increases of $30 — was caused by one month’s bill being estimated and the next month’s bill being for a five-week period. He believes that will smooth out with the next bill being for only three weeks. (The weather, of course, being the reason for the odd billing cycle.)

Another increase that won’t go away is the sewer charge. The sewer rate is based on the water usage. Last year it was the average usage for January, February, and March and that stayed the same even though there was a water increase in May. In January the sewer rate went to 80 percent of the water bill.

“I’m going to get an outhouse,” said council member Tony Trower, whose sewer bill was $10 of the $30 increase he had.

Urban believes the next bill will be smaller and level out the increase for some people.

The council held a short executive session to discuss the one application received for swimming pool manager. Shirley Allen, a 13-year veteran at the job, confirmed that she was the applicant. Urban said no action followed the session, but the applicant will be interviewed.

Mayor Stutesman presided with Paul Burns, Mark Boyce, Lucy Thomas, and Trower present. Mike Hahn was absent.