File #: 23-1167    Name:
Type: Written Report Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 5/15/2023 In control: City Council Legislative Meeting
On agenda: 6/13/2023 Final action:
Title: Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the 2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Alexandria Annex.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Attachments: 1. 23-1167_Attachment 1_2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan_Executive Summary_04.pdf, 2. 23-1167_Attachment 2_ ALX 2022 HMP Plan Adoption Resolution_OEM_DRAFT_04.pdf, 3. 23-1167_Attachment 3_02 City of Alexandria Annex - 2022 NOVA HMP FINAL, 4. 23-1167_Attachment 4_NOVA Hazard Mitigation Plan FINAL- Natural Hazards Only, 5. 23-1167_signed resolution

City of Alexandria, Virginia

________________

 

MEMORANDUM

 

 

 

DATE:                     JUNE 6, 2023

 

TO:                                          THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

 

THROUGH:                      JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER   /s/

 

FROM:                     COREY SMEDLEY, FIRE CHIEF

 

DOCKET TITLE:                     

TITLE

Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the 2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Alexandria Annex.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]

BODY

_________________________________________________________________

 

ISSUEShould City Council adopt an updated hazard mitigation plan to remain eligible for state and federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding?

 

RECOMMENDATIONThat City Council adopt the 2022 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan including the City of Alexandria Annex.

 

BACKGROUNDThe Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and Code of Virginia (Sec. 44-146.19) authorizes and requires each political subdivision within the Commonwealth to be responsible for local disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as amended, requires that local government develop, adopt, and update natural hazard mitigation plans to receive certain federal assistance. The Code of Virginia requires City Council approval of the plan.

 

DISCUSSIONStaff representatives from 21 counties, independent cities and incorporated towns in Northern Virginia (NOVA) met from January 2021 to February 2023 to review and update the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan which also includes a specific local Mitigation Action Plan for each participating jurisdiction. Throughout the planning process, each locality solicited plan feedback from their local stakeholders including members of the public. Stakeholders were asked to provide insight into how their agencies/organizations engaged in mitigation and planning efforts, along with input and information on the hazards facing the jurisdictions and the NOVA region. Once the plan draft was completed and approved by all jurisdictions the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reviewed all final documentation. In February 2023, FEMA approved the plan pending local adoption.

The City of Alexandria Annex to the NOVA Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies winter weather, floods, and high wind/severe storms as the top three natural hazard risks and infectious disease, terrorism, and cyberattacks as the top three non-natural hazards risks to Alexandria. Overall, Alexandria’s risk is considered very low, social vulnerability is very low, and community resilience is relatively moderate. Twenty specific mitigation actions were identified and listed in the Mitigation Plan designed to reduce risk and increase overall community resiliency. 

 

FISCAL IMPACTThere is no direct fiscal impact through the adoption of this resolution; indirect fiscal impacts include funding identified mitigation actions. Each listed mitigation action outlines a Lead Agency/Department and pre-identified funding sources to include internal Department budgets, CIP funds, operating budget funds, and/or grant funds. Additionally, plan approval may result in access to mitigation grant opportunities.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1:  Executive Summary

Attachment 2:  Resolution

Attachment 3:  City of Alexandria Annex

Attachment 4:  2022 NOVA Hazard Mitigation Plan - Base Plan

 

STAFF:

Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager

Kevin Coleman, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, OEM