Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2013-16 RESOLUTION NO. R2013-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
TEXAS URGING AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS TO THE
BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM ACT
OF 2012 RECENTLY PASSED BY THE U. S. CONGRESS;
DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO SEND A
CERTIFIED AND TRUE COPY OF THE RESOLUTION TO
ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS; MAKING
VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO
THE SUBJECT
WHEREAS, since 1968 the historical purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) was to provide affordable flood insurance in exchange for using FEMA generated and
specified Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) for floodplain management by a participating
community; and
WHEREAS, generations of Friendswood home and business owners have made lifelong
plans and investments based on the existence of affordable flood insurance as proposed by
FEMA in the past 45 years; further, in many cases, these properties are the owner's largest
investment; and
WHEREAS, most of the issues we face in the loss of the historical protection from
flooding we have enjoyed for generations are by and large traceable to historic and current
Federal Policy now with the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (Public Law 112-
141, aka BW12), it will affect municipalities nationwide in multiple areas such as real estate
markets, banks and mortgage companies, elderly citizens living on a fixed income, and
policyholders who built their communities with the best available information; and
WHEREAS, through the passage of the B W 12 Act that was recently signed into law, the
NFIP was revised such that the public's reliance on the program to provide affordable flood
insurance protection for prior investments in their homes and businesses were essentially
dissolved which means these structures will receive a 25% increase in the flood insurance
premium for the next four (4) years (in some cases a 20% increase over five (5) years) and this
passage substantially and immediately devalued the investments made in all properties receiving
subsidized insurance premium rates through the drastic increase in the cost of flood insurance
and all other properties in the area; and
WHEREAS, previously these structures were rated on Pre-FIRMS or the FIRMS in
effect when the structure was constructed, and now, even though the structures were not
substantially damaged, (was over 50% of their fair market value now BW12 states 30% of fair
market value), their owners will struggle to pay premiums to keep flood insurance on these
structures; and
WHEREAS,the Flood Disaster Act of 1973 required the purchase of flood insurance
on and after March 2, 1974, as a condition of receiving any form of federal or federal-related
financial assistance, (banks, mortgage companies, savings and loans) for acquisition or
construction purposes with respect to insurance buildings; and
WHEREAS, under the NFIP regulations, Section 59.3, "this flood program still requires
upon the effective date of the FIRM the charging of risk premium rates for all new constructions
and substantial improvements." Homeowners and businessmen wanted to be in compliance and
were following the latest information provided to them by their local government who had
partnered with FEMA so that the economy could prosper and people could get the loans they
needed to build homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon us all to have a long term, sustainable and viable
NFIP with rates that are affordable.
82013-16 2
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, STATE OF TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Friendswood requests that all Texas Federal Legislators initiate
efforts to amend or revise the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act to reduce the severe
short term economic/financial impact on people and communities.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 9th day of September,2013.
Kevin M. Igo and
Mayor
ATTEST: .......
FRIENp
p s �en
Melinda Welsh, TRMC Q*
City Secretary oe�:
82013-16 3
Mayor
` KEVIN M.HOLLAND
NDS W O
Mayor Pro Tem&ty of FN p enrQ w®®d
BILLYJ.ENOCHS
ti 910 South Friendswood Thrive Councilmembom
Friendswood, Texas 77546-4856 STEVE ROCKEY
(
281 996-3270 JIM HILL
) PATRICK J.M%INNIS
�S
Fax: (281)482-1634 JOHN SCOTT
�TX CARL W.GUSTAFSON
City Manager _
ROGERROECKER
City Secretary
MELINDA WELSH,TRMC
CERTIFICATION )(
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
GALVESTON/HARRIS COUNTIES )(
SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
I, MELINDA WELSH, CITY SECRETARY OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED
TO BE A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL ON
FILE, AND OF RECORD WITH THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
OF RESOLUTION NO. R2013-16.
ATTEST:
MELINDA WELSH, TRMC
CITY SECRETARY oN; ;f0:
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 • F y'A5 •°
°••OF•r'EXPo•°