Alexander council gets one more chance to approve FEMA ordinance

Four City of Alexander aldermen will be given one more opportunity to vote “Yes” on an ordinance that will allow city residents to keep or buy flood insurance and provide various forms of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) aid. An “Emergency Meeting” has been scheduled for this evening (Monday, July 6) at 6 PM in city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

On the previous Monday (June 29) a “Special Meeting” was held to discuss four items. Three of them were tabled during the regular June 15 meeting. The fourth, the ordinance for FEMA was added before the meeting’s agenda was posted. The ordinance entitled, “An ordinance providing for the establishment of a flood prevention program,” is the only item on the agenda.

During the June 29 meeting Mitchell said the ordinance needs to be approved, “So people don’t lose their flood insurance and so if a flood does occur FEMA can respond.”

Alderwoman Andrea Bearden asked, “When was the last time we had a flood?”

The ordinance is also part of an updated flood map provided by FEMA. Bearden wanted to see the map.

“I’d like to see the map,” Bearden said.

“They’re up there (in city hall) for public viewing,” Mitchell responded. “They’re so thick and huge … you (the public) just have to come in and look at them.”

“I’d like to see the map before I go voting on an ordinance,” Bearden added.

In order for the ordinance to go into effect before July 6 the council needed a two-thirds majority to suspend the requirement the ordinance be read three times at three different public meetings. That would be six of the eight aldermen voting “Yes.” It also required a two-thirds vote on an “Emergency Clause” suspending the 90-day waiting period allowing the ordinance to go into effect immediately. In both cases aldermen Louis E. Hobbs, Andy Mullins, Andrea Bearden, and Lonny Chapman voted “No.” Aldermen Jeffery S. Watson, Stephanie Beck, Dan Church, and Melissa Ratliff voted “Yes.”

After learning of the failed vote, FEMA sent the city a warning notice explaining what residents would lose if the city does not participate in the “National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).” The notice was addressed to Alexander residents and said if the city does not renew its participation in the program, “Property owners will not be able to purchase flood insurance and existing policies will not be renewed;” “Lenders may require homeowners to ‘payoff’ loan if flood insurance is not available through the NFIP, Federal backed flood insurance will not be available;” “If a county is declared for FEMA individual assistance, no federal disaster assistance will be provided;” Federal grants, loans, or loan guarantees are prohibited for the acquisition or construction of buildings made in identified special flood hazard areas;” “No Federal mortgage insurance may be provided in identified flood hazard areas;” “Communities that do not participate in the NFIP are not eligible to apply for certain federal grants;” and the, “Local governing body may be susceptible to some form of liability by not participating because their action denies the ability of its citizens to purchase flood insurance.”

For the ordinance to pass and be in effect immediately, six out of eight council members must first vote to suspend the second and third reading of the ordinance. Then, at least five must vote to approve (pass) the ordinance. Finally, six out of eight must approve the “Emergency Clause.”