FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs

9.4 Revisions

The City of Pearland Texas has begun a mitigation planning initiative. The Mitigation Planning Committee (Committee) is composed of members from appropriate agencies (list follows).

1. 
   What is mitigation planning and why the City is undertaking this task. It is understood that the Plan will further build on federal and State efforts to reduce the effects of natural hazards; a new federal-level planning requirement was briefly described by FEMA.
   
2. 
   The planning process was outlined: identify hazards; identify what is at risk; evaluate current policies and procedures; evaluate what else can be done (or can be done differently).
   
3. 
   Overview of common natural hazards: flood (from all sources, including hurricane, heavy rain, dam break), high wind, winter storms
   
4. 
   Less common natural hazards: wild fires, earthquake (The City of Pearland has low seismic risk).
   
5. 
   Hazardous materials considered where location intersects with natural hazard (i.e., within flood hazard area).
   
6. 
   Overview of disasters in the United States: occur in every state; nearly all jurisdictions have flood hazards; winter storms affect more people than floods; earthquakes are the most costly.
   
7. 
   Uncounted costs of disasters: small events do not qualify for federal financial assistance; grants do not cover all costs; loan repayment costs far exceed insurance costs.
   
8. 
   Define hazard identification & risk assessment: where do hazards occur, with what severity and frequency, and what is likely to be damaged.
   
9. 
   Overview of the City’s hazards:
   
   1. 
      Location specific: mapped floodplains; hazardous materials
      
   2. 
      Citywide: high wind; winter storm
      
10. 
    Introduction of need for a mitigation goal; to be compatible with other City goals
    
11. 
    Overview and examples of mitigation actions:
    
    1. 
       Programmatic and planning
       
    2. 
       Public infrastructure and buildings
       
    3. 
       Public information
       
    4. 
       Projects
       
12. 
    Review steps in the mitigation planning process:
    
    1. 
       Field visit to damage/vulnerable locations
       
    2. 
       Interview each department
       
    3. 
       Discuss opportunities
       
    4. 
       Prioritize mitigation actions
       
    5. 
       Get public input (process is still to be determined)
       
    6. 
       Prepare, review and adopt plan
       
13. 
    Schedule:
    

• 
  Target is to complete the plan by July 31, 2003. This will require three to four more committee meetings. The next meeting will be preceded by in-depth interviews with representatives from each department and pertinent program.
  
• 
  Second meeting of the Committee – Mid-January. All committee members will be given appropriate advance notice of the meeting time and place once it is finalized.
  

The following table lists the members of the Committee. They will participate in Committee meetings, gather and provide information to the consultant, review interim materials and drafts of the Plan, and evaluate potential mitigation actions in the context of their department’s capabilities and responsibilities as well as the overall and long-term benefits of the City.

The City of Pearland, Office of Emergency Management, was unable to attend this meeting due to schedule conflicts, but should be at the next committee meeting.

The following agencies were notified and invited to participate:

• 
  Texas Department of Emergency Management
  
• 
  Texas Water Development Board (will be invited to next committee meeting)
  
• 
  FEMA Region VI
  

• 
  The City of Friendswood
  
• 
  Harris County