CITY OF VENICE, FLORIDA NFIP # 125154

Introduction

For credit under the Community Rating System, this progress report must be distributed to the media and made available to the public. Copies of this report are available in the Development Services and City Clerk’s office. A notice of its availability will be posted on the city’s web site.

On August 24, 2004, the city, with cooperation from Sarasota County, City of North Port, Town of Longboat Key, and City of Sarasota, adopted the Sarasota County Unified Local Mitigation Strategy. The plan reviews a variety of measures that can reduce the problems and protect people and property when flooding occurs. Measures reviewed include ditch improvements, retention basins, culvert and storm sewer improvements, flood proofing, flood insurance, emergency response planning, building regulations, public information, and erosion and sediment control. The city updates our projects and adopts the plan yearly. The last plan was updated and adopted on September 28, 2008. The revised Local Mitigation Strategy is attached.

Summary of Local Mitigation Strategy

Changes were made to the Local Mitigation Strategy. Because of pending state tax reductions, the city budget has been reduced and some projects are indefinitely postponed.

Following are some key updates to projects in the Local Mitigation Strategy:

Project 2V to re-roof and add shutters to Fire Station #1 was removed and replaced with Project 56V to replace Fire Station #1.

Project 4V, the installation of hurricane shutters for city hall is funded by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The project was completed in July 2008.

Fire Station 3 (Project 5V) was completed in November 2007 and removed from the list.

Project 25V, Modify 5 East Production Wells was competed and removed from the list.

The Venice Regional Medical Center water main improvements, Project 46V was completed in 2006 and removed from the list.

Hatchett Creek Basin Improvements (Projects 32V, 48V and 51V) are almost ready to go out for construction bid. The Florida Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency is reviewing final plans and a construction contract should be awarded shortly.

Project 40V, Community Center Retrofit, has been removed and replaced with project 67V to include only the generator.

A hardened parking area for emergency vehicles was added for Project 56V.

Project 57V, Widening and Strengthening of Runway 13/31, was completed in 2007 and was taken off the list.

Added to the list is an effort to remove large invasive species plants from the city right of way to minimize damage to roads and infrastructure in the event of a storm, purchase of portable generators for lift stations, and hurricane shutters for the water plant.

Objectives are currently being implemented as scheduled, although significant cost increases and reduced tax base have made projects more difficult to fund. Estimated costs have been adjusted as appropriate.

Public Outreach

Between June and August an informational flyer was mailed in the utility bills and to homeowner associations. The flyer offers information on flood safety, flood insurance, and provides contact information on where to find additional information. In the flyer, citizens are encouraged to clean debris from driveway storm pipes and call if they see anyone dumping debris into inlets, streams or ditches.

A separate letter was mailed to properties that are considered repetitive loss areas. These are areas in the city were two or more buildings provided flood claims to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within a ten year period. This letter informed the property owners that they are in an area of special flood hazard, and a NFIP brochure, “Why You Need Flood Insurance,” was included in the mailing.

Information about flooding and flood insurance was included in the May 2008 city e-newsletter. Also, the city’s annual hurricane seminar was held in May. The city engineer gave a presentation about flood mitigation and stormwater management. Information and flyers about flood protection and flood insurance were made available.

The city’s inlet marking campaign continued this year. The inlet marking advises the public not to dump litter or trash down the storm drains. Not only does trash in the system impede the flow of stormwater, it also causes environmental damage.

Floodplain Management Plan Status

The city, in cooperation with Sarasota County and other incorporated areas, began working on a new combined floodplain management plan and Local Mitigation Strategy. The plan will assess current hazards, review property protection activities, and address environmental considerations. Meetings with representatives from other governmental agencies occur monthly. The plan will require public input. The plan is expected to be completed in the summer of 2009.