Local Mitigation Strategy

2021 Oldsmar Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Initiatives

The City of Oldsmar has participated in the Community Rating System (CRS) program since 1992, a point system program that rewards communities for floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) standards, thus reducing flood insurance premiums for its citizens. Oldsmar is currently a Class 6 community which translates into a 20% reduction in flood insurance premiums for properties within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and a 10% reduction for properties outside of the SFHA.

To receive credit under CRS Activity 510 – Floodplain Management Planning, each municipality must create and maintain their own Floodplain Management Plan or participate in the multi-jurisdictional plan.

The Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) was developed cooperatively with representatives of Pinellas County and its 24 municipalities, and therefore qualifies for credit as a multi-jurisdictional Floodplain Management Plan under the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) program, Activity 510 – Floodplain Management Planning.

The LMS is a unified, coordinated effort to develop local initiatives to mitigate for future property damage and possible loss of life from severe storms and flooding. LMS participants, including City staff, meet regularly to discuss the LMS, update and revise the goals, and prioritize local projects to include in the LMS document, such as, major drainage improvement projects, hardening of public structures, Emergency Operation Center purchases, and educational outreach programs to the community.

Portions of the LMS are annually updated with mitigation project accomplishments or new projects to be added to the LMS. Additionally, every five years the entire LMS goes through a major update with annual changes, membership, goals and objectives, municipal programs, potential funding sources, critical facilities. The most recent 5-year LMS update was adopted by the City Council on September 03, 2020.

To continue receiving credit under CRS Activity 510 for the LMS, an annual progress report must be submitted as part of the required documentation during the annual CRS recertification process. This memo and its attachments are the City of Oldsmar’s 2021 LMS progress report for distribution to Tampa Bay area media and for availability to the public at Oldsmar City Hall, 100 State Street West, as well as notice posted on the City’s website and social media.

INITIATIVES 

  • Municipal Services Center storm mitigation/hardening was conducted, including a vulnerability assessment, adding storm shutters and hardening overhead doors.  The Municipal Services Center houses Public Works divisions and serves as the Emergency Force staging area during Emergency Operations Plan activation. (300 Commerce Boulevard) - COMPLETED 
  • City Hall was hardened by adding storm shutters. (100 State Street West) - COMPLETED
  • Wastewater Plant and Pump Station was hardened with storm shutters. (351 Lafayette Boulevard) - COMPLETED
  • Vollmer Road Drainage Improvement in conjunction with Pinellas County and Harrod Properties, drainage improvements were made on Vollmer Road - COMPLETED
  • Sellers Industrial Park Paving/Drainage Improvements - COMPLETED
  • Pine Avenue at Marlborough Street Drainage Improvements - COMPLETED
  • Pinellas County LMS Five Year Update The last LMS 5-year update was completed in 2020 and adopted by City Council on September 3, 2020 - COMPLETED
  • City Hall Generator Replacement (100 State Street West) - COMPLETED
  • City Hall storm mitigation/hardening - replaced windows and doors with storm-rated windows and doors  (100 State Street West) - COMPLETED
  • Stormwater Master Plan 10-Year Update - 10-year update to the Stormwater Management Plan to include tasks outlined in the SWFWMD's Watershed Management Program, Guidelines, and Specifications - COMPLETED
  • Stormwater Treatment Plan - a 2002 Initiative to prepare a Citywide drainage plan to minimize flooding.  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements were implemented throughout the City to improve Citywide drainage for minimizing flooding and improving the quality of runoff into Tampa Bay - COMPLETED
  • Stormwater Management Plan - a cooperative agreement was entered into with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in August 2000. In January 2001, the project was awarded to URS Corporation.  Phase I, Stormwater Management Master Plan, has been completed. Phase II, design of facilities modifications to correct reoccurring stormwater problems has been completed. The Downtown, Federal Street, and the St. Petersburg  Drive projects have been completed.  Phase III, portions of the Cypress Lakes Industrial Park Resurfacing was completed in FY 2009.
  • Demolition/mitigation of flood prone properties, lying below the adopted BFE - the City received a Mitigation Reconstruction Grant from FEMA to demolish a severe repetitive loos home and reconstruct 3.4 feet above the base flood elevation - COMPLETED

Local Mitigation Goals and Objectives

INITIATIVES

  • INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING MITIGATION

  • INITIATIVE: Provide education and information to property and business owners about storm damage and ways to properly protect structures. Utilize print media, television, radio, and computer technology to educate public on mitigation. STATUS: Ongoing- This is accomplished by displaying and providing information about hurricane and storm preparedness. Links to Pinellas County's Emergency Management website are provided on the Citywide and Library websites. Efforts include the following: The City's website contains flood information and is continually updated. The web page, www.OldsmarStrong.com, was created to provide tools and resources associated with hurricane preparedness, post storm practices, flood mitigation, and other emergency disaster information. Annually, the City mails flood information to all residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area as well as to all lenders, insurance agents, and real estate offices that include flood information regarding flood mitigation and the availability of elevation certificates and contained flood insurance information. A message regarding flood mitigation and contact information is provided on all utility bills for a billing cycle. Oldsmar Library continues to maintain information on flood protection hosts a complete copy of the FIRMs for the City, and provide Hurricane Preparedness Flyers in English and Spanish. Each year, prior to Hurricane Season, several agencies (e.g., TBRPC, Pinellas County) help to produce an All Hazards Guide or Hurricane Guide and disseminate it to the residents of Pinellas County. This Guide provides a map of evacuation zones, shelters, and important information on what to do during an emergency. The City assists in this effort by making the publication available at its government buildings (e.g., City Hall, Library). This practice will continue as long as the Guide is produced and made available. The City produced a handcard that provides information on proper sandbag use. A Hurricane Expo event was held in July 2021 at the Oldsmar Library to provide citizens with hurricane and flood preparedness information. The City Manager deploys a monthly e-blast containing FEMA Flood Map changes (re: August 24, 2021 effective date) and a Be Prepared section spotlighting with website links for County Disaster Preparedness Guide, Flood Zones, and Evacuation Zones. The City's tri-annual magazine is mailed to every residential address and distributed at the Library, City Hall, Rec Center, and Chamber of Commerce. This publication includes a a Hurricane Preparedness spread featuring the Hurricane Expo, Know your Evacuation and Flood Zones, Preparing your Property (Storm Shutters, Roofs, Doors, Doors, Garage Doors, Property), and Proper Sandbag Use. Additionally, the magazine featured the Climate Resiliency Plan, and a FEMA Flood Map Designation Map. The City's YouTube Channel created a Disaster Prep playlist housing key videos for messaging. Social media posts to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram further enhanced messaging that included Preparing Properties, Knowing Your Zones, Sandbag Use, and Flood Map changes. A new podcast launched in 2021, segments included Storms, Disaster Preparedness, and Flooding discussions. 
  • INITIATIVE: Demolition/mitigation of flood prone properties, lying below the adopted BFE. STATUS: Ongoing - The City received a Mitigation Reconstruction Grant from FEMA to demolish a severe repetitive loos home and reconstruct 3.4 feet above the base flood elevation. The City could accept applications for Mitigation Reconstruction grants from FEMA to demolish and reconstruct repetitive loss homes.

  • CREATE A DISASTER RESISTANT COMMUNITY  

  • INITIATIVE: City personnel enforce the Land Development Regulations regarding flood management provisions and stormwater management. STATUS: Ongoing -  These regulations are strictly enforced. All construction in the V- and A- zones must meet meet National Flood Insurance Program requirements. On Jun 1, 2021, the City adopted an updated Flood Ordinance 2021-05, in response to revised FEMA maps. Local floodplain management regulations were amended to meet and exceed the new NFIP requirements and included limitation of the accessory structures to 600 s.f., one foot of freeboard requirement for manufactured homes, updated requirements that buildings in the Coast A Zone are constructed to V Zone standards.  The City began utilizing the Florida Building Code in 2002, which has increased requirements for structural stability of residential and commercial developments. The City will continue to enforce the requirements of the Florida Building Codes and its updates.
  • INITIATIVE: Enforce Stormwater Management Requirements.  STATUS: Ongoing -  All development is regulated with regard to surface water runoff.  Stormwater management systems are required to be designed for 25-year 24-hour storm event with protection for the 50-year event.  While the City maintains its own system, it has the authority to inspect privately-owned drainage systems and remove, or cause to be removed, obstructions. The City does prohibit stream dumping.  The City requires erosion/sedimentation controls during construction.  The City has a Watershed Management Plan from which drainage improvement projects are developed and budgeted.  The City currently has a stormwater utility fee, which is used to generate revenue for drainage maintenance and improvements.  The source of the funds is a $6.00 per month fee to single-family dwelling units, and adjusted rates for multifamily units, commercial, and industrial customers.  Any significant new development or redevelopment must obtain an environmental resource permit through SWFWMD which regulates stormwater management.  The City enforces this requirement and will continue to do so.
  • INITIATIVE: Retain low-density residential land use and open space preservation in the Coastal High Hazard Area and Special Flood Hazard Area.  STATUS: Ongoing - Large open or undeveloped space such as that found at Mobbly Beach Park, Mobbly Bayou Preserve, Bicentennial Park, Veterans Park, R.E. Olds Park, Sheffield Park, and Harbor Palms Nature Park meets important recreation/open space standards as well as limiting additional development in the floodplain.  These areas will be retained as open space.  Significant areas within the subdivisions of East Lake Oaks, Bay Arbor, and Estuary at Mobbly Bay are designated as Open Space and/or Preservation and will continue to be retained. 
  • INITIATIVE: Provide flood-related information to the residents. STATUS: Ongoing - The City maintains elevation certificates on all buildings built in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) after 1991.  While the City cannot verify that elevation certificates are available for all post-FIRM buildings with the SFHA, these certificates go back as far as 1983.  The City also enforces the elevation of all new and substantially improved structures.  This practice will continue.  The City sends flood proofing information and insurance information annually to the residents of each repetitive loss area.  This practice will continue.  While not necessarily a formal program, Building Division personnel provide information, expertise, and advice to residents and businesses regarding flooding and methods to prevent or reduce such.  This may include on-site visits.  This task will continue.
  • INITIATIVE - Climate Resiliency Plan.  STATUS: Ongoing - Resilience is defined as the capacity of individuals, communities and systems to survive, adapt and grow in the face of stress and shocks and even transform when conditions require it. The plan will help the City to provide  greater understanding of local and regional climate risks, identify opportunities to prepare for those changes, educate residents and businesses about risks and adaptation options, and build the City's capacity to include climate data in decision-making.  This effort will provide an actionable plan to continue the City's historical commitment to sustainability, with the goal of improved quality of life for Oldsmar residents through awareness and better preparedness.  Phase I of this project provided vulnerability assessment, including identification of affected systems as well as literature review. Phase II prioritized vulnerabilities and develop adaption strategies for the Resiliency Plan, which included:  A list of recommended short-mid-, and long-term actions to be taken to protect City assets; Overview of current CRS activities and a list of recommendations by each category for the  City to consider implementing - including existing programs overlooked; Detailed flood mapping for entire City for sea level rise, storm surge, and precipitation (non-storm related) through 2100; Community outreach to help citizens understand risks and how it will affect them.  

The following are recommended actions:


1. Continue the extensive use and preservation of open space throughout the City and particularly within the floodplain.  This includes Mobbly Beach, Mobbly Bayou, Veterans Memorial Park, R.E. Olds Park, Bicentennial Park, Sheffield Park, and Harbor Palms Nature Park.
Timetable: Ongoing
Evaluation Criteria: Number of acres of open space within the floodplain.
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Leisure Services Department

2. Continue the maintenance of the City's drainage system.  This includes routine inspection, removal of debris, repairs, top and slope mowing, and aquatic maintenance.
Timetable: Annually
Evaluation Criteria: Most recent information on the total number of inspections and maintenance performed; most recent information on the total amount of funds expended on maintenance.
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Public Works Department

3. Continue to mail-out flood proofing information to the residents of each repetitive loss area as well as providing flood information to banks, lending institutions, etc. 
Timetable: Annually
Evaluation Criteria: Number of packages set to repetitive loss area residents.
Budget: Staff time, postage (operating funds): Planning & Redevelopment Department

4. Encourage the elevation/retrofitting of structures to FEMA requirements through the enforcement of the 50% rule, through the distribution of information to repetitive loss areas and SFHA.
Timetable: Annually
Evaluation Criteria: Number of structures elevated due to the 50% rule; number of packages sent to repetitive loss area residents.
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Planning & Redevelopment Department

5. Continue to provide the Map Determination Service, including the publicizing of the service.
Timetable: Ongoing
Evaluation Criteria: Number of announcements sent publicizing the service; number of map determinations provided.
Budget: Staff time, postage (operating funds): Planning & Redevelopment Department

6. Continue to maintain and publicize the Flood Library documents available at the Oldsmar Public Library.
Timetable: Ongoing
Evaluation Criteria: Number and types of documents available at the Oldsmar Public Library.
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Library

7. Continue to provide technical assistance to residents investigating flood issues.
Timetable: Ongoing
Evaluation Criteria: Estimated number of times some type of technical assistance was provided to Oldsmar residents or businesses.  
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Public Works Department

8. The City of Oldsmar will continue to be an active participant in the LMS.
Timetable: Ongoing
Evaluation Criteria: Continue to attend LMS group meetings.
Budget: Staff time (operating funds): Fire Department, Planning & Redevelopment Department