01-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—January 21, 2014 4254 located in Chrisan Subdivision, Forest River Road, south of Round Hill, and Heritage Hills. Also, houses south of Cass County 16 and north of Oxbow along Pfiffer and Klitze Drive would be considered. Mr. Berndt said plans for a levee system in the area have also been discussed by county and city staff with three options available for the board to consider: the first is a levee east of Highway 81 along Chrisan Boulevard; the second is a levee east of Highway 81 running in the east ditch; and the third is a levee west of Highway 81 running in the west ditch. There was discussion about the cost for home buyouts, which the engineer estimated would total approximately $8.6 million with the 15% local match of about $1.3 million. Mr. Berndt said the board needs to determine what homes to include in the application, and whether the 15% will be paid entirely with county funds or if residents will be asked to fund part of the cost. Mr. Pawluk asked about the method that would preserve the most homes and still provide sufficient space for flood control measures. He is not convinced that all the homes need to be purchased west of County Highway 81 in order to protect the neighborhoods. Mr. Berndt said if the levee was built on the east side of County Highway 81, homes would not need to be purchased in western Chrisan Subdivision. Mrs. Scherling said however, if not everyone agreed to a buyout, the county would still need to build temporary dikes during flood events. She would like to see cost estimates to construct a certifiable dike on the east side of County Highway 81. A dike certified by FEMA would remove properties from the flood plain and would not require residents to purchase flood insurance. Dave Mathson, Chairman of the Stanley Township Board of Supervisors, was present. He said the emergency levee built in 2009 has worked to protect the area during times of flooding; however, they are not FEMA certified. He said residents are concerned with new FEMA flood insurance guidelines that will substantially increase their rates. He said taking the entire area out of the flood plain and providing permanent protection would be ideal. Mr. Pawluk said he is frustrated with the continual purchase and demolition of homes, and prefers to buyout homes on the east side of Chrisan Subdivision. Mr. Vanyo said all three levee options are similar in cost with the difference being which government entity is responsible to cover the costs. He believes the county is in a better position to look at the west ditch option and associated buyouts rather than continuing to use temporary flood protection measures and subjecting residents to a substantial increase in their flood insurance rates. Mr. Pawluk said if other recent buyouts did not require a local match from residents, then it should not be required for this round of acquisitions either. Mr. Berndt recommends the board authorize the county engineer to work with local agencies on potential buyouts and to look at whether a certifiable levee could be constructed. Mr. Pawluk asked about the height of a dike. Mr. Berndt said it would need to be built three feet about the current 100-year flood or at 421/2 feet. He said with the diversion, the 500-year flood is 40 feet, so the dike would have around 2'/2 feet of free board.