New floodplain ordinance takes effect June 19
Published 11:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2012
The county adopted a new Floodplain Damage Prevention Ordinance that will take effect June 19.
The ordinance provides regulations to ensure communities take into account the possibility of flood hazards. Under the new ordinance, property owners who have land in a floodplain area are required to carry flood insurance.
Changes made to the ordinance are based on new maps zoned according to FEMA regulations.
“This is going help some people and hurt some people,” County Engineer Dan Dahlke said at last Thursday’s county commission work session.
Based on the new zoning map, 213 parcels are being added to the floodplain area, and 374 are being taken out.
Even though the ordinance will upset people, County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said, “We are taking out more than we are adding, and that should be a positive thing.”
Dahlke said letters of notification were sent out approximately two years ago.
“Banks will not give out loans unless people get flood insurance from FEMA,” Batemon said. Anybody who refinances or gets a new loan for land in the newly zoned area will be required to have flood insurance.
The county originally adopted a floodplain ordinance in 1989 and has made amendments to it over the years but never fully updated it. Adopting the new ordinance is a federal mandate.
In other actions the St. Clair County Commission:
—Approved a resolution for resurfacing and safety improvements for 4.9 miles of County Road 26 from West Day Drive to State Route 144 in the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP). The program is funded by a bond issue that will be repaid with Alabama’s share of future federal transportation dollars. The state is contributing $831,200 of the estimated $1 million.
—Approved a General Fund budget amendment in the amount of $20,592.20 to reimburse the Gas Tax Fund for the clearing and construction of shelter pads at the Shoal Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
—Approved $2,500 for the 2012 Pell City Block Party
—Approved a request from the St. Clair County Board of Education for $1,000 appropriation to the annual Special Olympics event to be held in Moody. The money will be paid from the Bingo Fund.
—Approved a lease with Neopost for postage machines at each courthouse at a cost of $473.94 for both machines.
—Approved a resolution authorizing a $2 mail-in fee to be added to online mail-in tag renewals beginning Oct. 1.
—Approved a contract with Schindler Inspection for inspection services on elevators at the old hospital building at a rate of $50 per month.
—Approved the transfer of courthouse security personnel operations including the hiring, managing and supervision of courthouse security officers from the county commission to the county sheriff’s office.
—Approved the request of Probate Judge Mike Bowling to create and post for hire one part-time advanced clerk position at a Pay Grade 11, wherein he will pay the salary from discretionary funds until Oct. 1.
—Approved a public works bid for a bore on Sanie Road to replace a crossdrain.
—Approved the recommendation from the county engineer to name Doyle Stevens to the vacant superintendent position.
—Approved the recommendations from the county engineer for two part-time road workers during the summer.
—Approved a resolution recommending Kellie Long, to receive the designation of Certified County Administrator.
—Approved a resolution recognizing Sara Owen, chairperson, for her years of service on the St. Clair County Library Board.
—Approved a list of insolvents, errors and taxes in litigation for 2011 and uncollected insolvents and taxes in litigation for previous years.
—Approved the request of Circuit Judge Jim Hill to remove outdated books from the Law Library.
—Approved the request of Herb Hutchins to use the Pell City Courthouse lawn Thursday, June 21 from 7-9 p.m. to hold a candlelight vigil for sexually abused women at Tutwiler Prison.
—Scheduled a public hearing for July 10 at 9 a.m. in Ashville regarding a public transportation grant.