Minutes-7 /27/1990

The Tiffin city council met in special session on Wednesday, June 27, 1990 for the purpose of discussing the proposed flood plain ordinance. Mayor Potter called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members present were Stoner, Brown and Morgan, Slaymaker and Bartels. Also present were Attorney Greenleaf and Ray Scheetz. Motion Stoner second Brown to approve agenda. Carried unanimously. Greenleaf: If the flood plain ordinance is adopted, it might shut down the trailer court if Scheetz cannot meet the new regulations. If this happens, it might be cause for action against the city for inverse condemnation. The Supreme Court cites a similar case in California involving a youth camp which was flooded. The county adopted the flood plain ordinance. The camp could not meet the regulations and had to close. The camp sued the county and won. I spoke with FEMA, Glenn and Mike. There are some concerns here. The ordinance requires that the lowest floor be elevated one foot above the 100 year flood level. Are the current structures one foot above that level? All new buildings and any buildings which sustained 50% damage must conform to the ordinance regulations. This is a fairly significant factor. On the other hand, if the council is not sure they want to pass the ordinance, there will not be any federal relief available to the flood victims, either grants or loans. FEMA has affirmed all of this. The trailer court is in a flood hazard area which would be covered by the ordinance. It would take a lot of red tape to get it out of the flood hazard area, even if it did qualify with the dike. The government is using the map which was adopted in 1983. Do you have any idea on elevations for the 100 year flood level? Scheetz: When I first built it, it didn't have a dike. They had requirements before that for one foot over the flood level. Practically all of the trailers are one foot above. We got as much as ten (10) inches above the 100 year flood level. After I built the levy, I didn't think it was so important. The front building did not flood. I set all of the original pads one foot above the level. I thought the best thing for the park would be a levy. They assured me it would take care of it. Stoner: Are you saying all of the trailers are above the 100 year flood level now? Scheetz: Not now. When I put the first ones in, they were above it. Then I put in the levy and I didn't think it was important anymore. Greenleaf: You understand that any replacements or repairs of more than 50% will have to conform to the new standards. These will all have to be one foot above the 100 year flood level. Scheetz: Is the bench mark changed? Greenleaf: I assume it won't change soon. You have so many trailers hit. I wondered if the new standards would have any significant effect. Scheetz: The first ones were set above the 100 year level unless they've changed the bench mark. A good share of them now should be raised. Greenleaf: Can you raise them?