*SOAP BOX DERBY WEEKEND ROAD CLOSURES*

We will be closing Evers Rd. between Huebner and Poss Rd. early on Sunday morning, September 15th, 2019, between 7AM and 9AM. This is necessary to help us determine the launching ramp/gate for the Soap Box Derby and allow the drivers to practice on the course. Everyone is welcome to join us...this will be a test only. Thank you, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

 

"If you have been wondering why there is a bloom of algae in Huebner Creek at Raymond Rimkus Park and just north of the Evers Road bridge, please know that the situation will be corrected soon. The SAWS recycled water main sprang a leak near the library in the bottom of the creek, which has caused a slow trickle of water downstream. Because of the way the creek had to be reshaped for the Evers Road bridge box culverts, the water doesn't drain over the walking path in the park in its entirety.  The creek had to be lowered by 6" to a foot in some places, so the water pools at the pathway. Our engineer is submitting plans for Public Works Crews to modify the walking path to allow the water to drain. Meanwhile, we have been in contact with SAWS and asked them to repair their leak. They are supposed to be out this week and next to correct the problem. We have been placing mosquito repellent in the creek and will continue to do so until this problem has been fixed."

Thank you,

Potential Flood Insurance Rate Relief - Properties in Floodplain/Floodway

In response to concerns from some of our long term residents regarding the high cost of flood insurance on their homes which were built prior to changes in the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), we had a meeting with FEMA. The Mayor, City Manager, Rose Anne Maldonado from Representative Castro's office, and Mr. Gilbert Giron of FEMA discussed methods to possibly reduce those property owner's flood insurance premiums.

Homes, particularly in the Grass Valley and Canterfield subdivisions, were built during the 1970's, and at the time, some were either not considered to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area or were in a lower risk zone. During the process of remapping the flood zones, some residents and business owners have found that their current flood risk has changed and in some cases, a property may be mapped into a lower-risk zone, but for most property owners in these areas, a property's risk may change from a moderate- or low-risk area to a high-risk area, making flood insurance mandatory by most lenders. Other changes could include a change in high-risk area designation (e.g., from a zone beginning with the letter "A" to a zone beginning with the letter "V") or a change in the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). If a property is mapped into a higher risk zone or if the BFE changes, the flood insurance premium could increase. Property owners need to understand their options following changes to their community's FIRM.

According to FEMA, "Grandfathering" is a way for insurance agents to offer property owners cost saving options through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA offers a document (see link below) that is designed to provide an overview of the NFIP's Grandfather Rules and Examples to insurance agents on how Grandfathering can be applied to benefit eligible resident and business owners being affected by map changes.

The NFIP Grandfather rule was created in order to recognize property owners who carried a policy before the maps became effective or were built to the correct standards relative to the flood map in effect at the time of construction. This rule, along with other NFIP rules, may result in significant cost savings to policyholders, compared to a potentially higher premium rate that results from a flood map revision.

To maintain the Grandfathered designation, the policy must stay continuously in effect. Continuity of coverage can be maintained even if the building is sold, as the policy can be assigned to the new owner.

The City will be researching which homes were affected by the FIRM changes since the time of construction and will collect data to include building permits, old FIRMs showing the FIRM zone designation at the time of construction, plats, and any other related documentation. If it can be established that a home was built according to the standards in effect at the time, but were then subsequently placed into a higher or lower risk zone through remapping efforts, we will send a letter to FEMA requesting that the home be considered under the Grandfather rule.

We will be contacting affected property owners to gain their concurrence on any proposed changes, prior to any information being sent to FEMA for consideration. For more information regarding this program, please contact your flood insurance agent or Melinda Moritz at (210) 681-1232.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1488482596393-dcc52e6c120c9327dcd75f1c08e802e4/GrandfatheringForAgents_03_2016.pdf