CC flood maps raise questions

Commissioners were faced with a dilemma Monday morning, Oct. 27 as they discussed the value and associated cost of updated 100-year flood plain maps for the county that would impact riverside homeowners.

Wes Birdwell of Halff, and Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency contractor for the FEMA Flood Insurance Program, presented commissioners with a slide show presentation regarding new and updated floodplain maps for the county - to the tune of $42,000.

The Colorado River runs through the county about 63 miles long, 21 of which have 100-year flood elevations. The remaining does not.

While the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lower Colorado River Authority have both studied the entire river through the county those studies were not part of FEMA's national flood insurance maps. Refining that information and then combining it with FEMA's database is where the county will incur the cost, said Birdwell.

"FEMA has contracted us to simply replace existing data with new data," said Birdwell. "This means that your new floodplain maps will not have 100-year floodplain elevations for about 42 miles of river."

The nationwide Flood Insurance Study report, which began in 2003, is on its last year and with limited funds. It is looking to update the county's floodplain maps, said Birdwell. The maps contain a variety of topographical information along the river including contour and flood elevations.

Birdwell said that the older FEMA maps have a 5-10 foot contour variance, but with new technology the new combined maps would have a two foot contour variance along the river.

He cited reasons forking over the $42,000 such as saving on the cost of redoing maps at a later date and having more accurate information, which in turn could lower flood insurance premiums for homeowners.

Birdwell mentioned that with the new maps, those who were not in the floodplain before might be now.

On the positive side, he said with the updated technology if the county chose to spend the $42,000 it might also take some residents out of the floodplain.

Darrell Rau with LCRA urged commissioners to consider the updated technology.

"If it doesn't happen, Colorado County is going to have the worst maps in the lower Colorado basin," said Rau. "Everyone else around you has done this."

Birdwell said the last time floodplain maps were done of the area was about 25-30 years ago.

Commissioners and Judge Jamison expressed concerns on why the county has to pay for the improvements.

"Ultimately FEMA should pay for it but they don't have the money," said Birdwell. "They ran out. Getting money out of FEMA is not really an option right now."

Commissioners agreed to put the item on the Nov. 10 agenda.

Courthouse repair

and restoration

Colorado County Comm-issioners tabled action regarding bids for the repair and restoration of the Colorado County Courthouse Monday morning.

The decision was made following discussion on the sole bid from Drymalla Construction for the project. The base bid came in at $2,565,000 of which $1.5 million was materials and $1 million was cost of services.

Chris Hudson with Volz & Associations was present to answer questions. He said he felt comfortable with the bid but had a few questions for Drymalla.

Commissioners agreed to table the bid until questions could be answered and they could visit with Drymalla in hopes of getting closer to the county's budget numbers.

LCRA Household

hazardous waste program

Lower Colorado River Authority representatives Jack Ranney and Kirk Scanlon were present Monday morning to update commissioners on the organizations latest changes in LCRA's Household Hazardous Waste Collection program.

The biggest change will be in the halting of a one-day event in which community members can bring hazardous materials to a central location for disposal.

"It has proven to be inefficient and we would like to find a better way to collect those tires, paint thinners and other hazardous materials," said Scanlon. "The LCRA will no long co-sponsor the one-day event."

This means it is now up to the county to provide the funds and facility for hazardous waste collection.

Ranney said the LCRA budgeted about $50,000 for the one-day event, which included planning and traveling costs for LCRA, public awareness campaign and chemical disposal. The chemical disposal cost was approximately $21,000 according to Ranney.

"So the county is now looking at that $21,000 cost," asked Judge Jamison.

Ranney replied the county could be but LCRA may have elevated numbers due to the organizations own risk management plans.

Ranney said the county had several options including a product exchange center that would focus on reusable materials that were brought to the center or a curbside pickup program.

Scanlon said LCRA would work with the county in assessing its needs and help create a new program.

"We will provide planning and strategic services, along with educational programs about household waste," said Scanlon.

Judge Jamison questioned whether that was a real solution.

Scanlon replied that he believed educating the public could make a difference, especially with children.

Regardless of what program is chosen it will be at the county's expense.

Commissioner Gertson asked about assistance with grant writing for Houston-Galveston Area Council funds to help with a program. Scanlon said they could help with grants.

Commissioner Tommy Hahn, Pct. 3 stated that with the budget approved and other costs occurring, that discussion for a county sponsored hazardous waste program should be considered for next year's budget. The court agreed.

In other business the court: