CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the resolution adopting the 2023 DuPage County Natural Mitigation Plan and appoint the Emergency Management Coordinator as the City’s representative to the DuPage County Natural Hazards Mitigation workshop
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
SUBMITTED BY: Dan Nelson, Emergency Management Coordinator
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
In 2004, DuPage Country created a working group of representatives from DuPage County, local municipalities, and private sector institutions. The working group was tasked with creating the DuPage County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (“Plan”) to assess risk and vulnerabilities in the County as it relates to natural hazards such as tornadoes, severe summer and winter storms, drought, etc. In total, 16 natural hazards were included. The Plan then identifies activities which can be undertaken by both public and private sector entities to reduce safety threats, health risks and property damage caused by natural hazards.
DISCUSSION:
This Plan is one of the first in the nation to be reviewed by FEMA under the newest update to the Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Policy Guide that became effective in April 2023. Two key elements of the new policy guide put emphasis on planning for equitable outcomes and the impacts of climate change within the County.
Federal Funding
Through this Plan, DuPage County and participating jurisdictions are eligible for federal Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant funding, such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funding.
Please note that the specification of these mitigation projects in the Plan does not obligate completion of the projects identified, but rather makes the community eligible for federal funding should they choose to apply.
FEMA requires that the Plan be updated every five years to stay eligible for HMA funding. The previous Plan was updated and adopted by the City of Naperville in 2018. The next Plan will be updated in 2028.
Staff Review
The 2023 DuPage County Natural Mitigation Plan has been reviewed by staff in the Fire Department - Emergency Management, Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group (TED), and the Department of Public Works.
Appointment to the Workshop
Over the years, the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator has been an active member of the working group. Additionally, he is experienced in mitigation planning for hazardous situations and through workshop assignments will continue to coordinate activities and obligations with the various operating departments.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A