Winter Storm Jonas Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Avalon, Ocean City, Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor March 25, 2017 Sea Isle City April 1, 2017 Ocean City
Today's Agenda Nor Easter Jonas Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Overview Private Property Owner Mitigation Funding Opportunities HMGP Application for Interested Property Owners Property Owner Requirements and Expectations Schedule
Mitigation Grant Funding 101 FEMA s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Programs Two nationally-competitive programs annually funded by Congress Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funds all hazards (e.g. earthquake, wildfire, drought) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Limited to flood, and focused on addressing NFIP Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss properties. FMA was the grant program organized in the County in 2016. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Disaster-Driven ~15% of Federal cost for disaster in a declared State goes into this mitigation fund State has greater latitude in establishing funding priorities Severe Winter Storm Jonas is being funded under HMGP Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Disaster Response Funding available through Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to address unmet needs...thus not available to secondary homes. This was the funding source for the RREM program, managed through NJ DOS and NJDEP
Winter Storm Jonas HMGP Overview The State has set the following spending priorities for Jonas HMGP: Only NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) Class 5 (or greater) communities may submit an application The goal of the program is to elevate structures (residential) that are in the NFIP Special Flood Hazard Area. ~$1,000,000 ear-marked for each of the eligible communities Ocean City is coordinating this effort on behalf of all four eligible CMC communities Application due to NJOEM May 17, 2017...less than two months
Jonas HMGP Main Project Elements Municipal outreach to prospective property owners Informative meetings for interested property owners Collection of required property owner data (April 10, 2017) Development of an interested property owner database (immediate and long-term aims) Development of a Jonas HMGP grant application intended to: Satisfy current funding priorities Can be effectively developed in the limited time available Continuation of near-term and long-term approaches to leverage available Federal and State programs and funding to support private property mitigation
Property Prioritization for Application Primary requirements for consideration: Within the NFIP SFHA (assumed everyone in CMC) Current first floor elevation below the regulatory Base Flood Elevation (BFE) All required, signed documentation received by April 10, 2017 Other Prioritization Criteria (not identified in priority order): Substantially Damaged will require formal declaration from the community NFIP Repetitive Loss (RL) or Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) Properties Greatest elevation below regulatory BFE Total documented historic flood losses Project cost supports an application where formal Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) is satisfied using Pre-Determined Benefits
Pre-Determined Benefits a.k.a. No-BCA Thresholds Set in a 2013 FEMA Guidance Memorandum for elevations (total project cost) at $175,000. This translates to about $160,000 for an elevation from the property owner perspective. We anticipate this HMGP application will be comprised of a group of properties that meet the Pre-Determined Benefits threshold as an aggregate.
The Hard Facts This is a reimbursement program, thus property owners will be responsible for covering costs and then applying for reimbursement once the project is completed. Fortunately - The County is currently working with several local lending institutions that may be able to provide bridge loans for mitigation projects. Only costs incurred after formal notice to proceed are reimbursable. All property owners will be responsible for the 25% local share of their mitigation project. Properties mitigated using Federal mitigation grant funding are required to maintain NFIP flood insurance on the property in perpetuity. This flood insurance requirement becomes part of the property deed.
Property Owner Requirements - Needed Information and Documents Notice of Voluntary Interest (NOVI)* without this we will not accept any other information for your property Affidavit (notary required)* FEMA Model Acknowledgement of Conditions (notary required)* FEMA Declaration and Release Form* Four pictures of property (taken from each side) Elevation Cost Estimate from a NJ-Licensed Elevation Contractor Proof of NFIP Insurance (as available) NFIP Elevation Certificate (as available) Other flood benefit data (e.g. prior mitigation, ICC) * All property owners on deed must sign!!!
Property Owner Requirements - Needed Information and Documents We will maintain an property owner information tracker on the Jonas HMGP Website page of: www.capemaycountyhmp.com To maintain your privacy, your property shall be identified by a Secret Identity of your choice. Please provide a Secret Identity - on your NOVI or otherwise. There is NOTHING on the website that requires you to use a Username/Password.
Property Owner Notice of Voluntary Interest (NOVI) List all Property Owners on Deed!
Property Owner Notice of Voluntary Interest (NOVI) All Property Owners on Deed must Sign!!!
Elevation How High Must I Go? New Jersey requires, at a minimum, that structures be elevated to the current regulatory NFIP Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus one foot (BFE+1 ). However, NFIP mapping in the region is currently in an active update process after Sandy, and Preliminary FIRM maps (Revised 1/30/2015) are available and should be used as the Best Available Data. The following are the State and Local elevation requirements: Avalon: Ocean City: Sea Isle City: Stone Harbor: BFE+3 BFE+2 Using the zone determination of the 1983 FIRM Map: A-Zone: 11 NAVD 88 to top of block for all A Zone structures V-Zone: 14 NAVD 88 to the lowest horizontal member BFE+2 Preliminary FIRM Maps are available at: Your municipal building Building Department www.region2coastal.com Elevation How High Can I Go? Local zoning requirements apply. Typical elevation concerns with respect to local zoning involve setbacks (for modifications required for access stairs, ramps) and total building heights. You will need to work with your local communities to understand zoning restrictions that may apply to your situation, and consider any variances that may be needed as available.
Elevation How High Should I Go? The cost of additional elevation above the required minimum is incremental, but it can provide substantial long-term savings. A FEMA mitigation grant will only cover to the local regulatory level (BFE+1 or +2), but the property owner can pay the additional costs.
Elevation What Goes into an Elevation? Removing existing decks, porches, walkways, steps, and stair cases Removing pavers and other hardscape and storing them carefully for later reuse Temporarily removing any landscaping Engineering, architectural drawings, soil samples, and site surveys Foundational work either concrete foundations, pilings, or helical piles Shutting off your utilities, including sending official shutoff request to your municipality Disconnecting utilities electricity, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation Lifting or Raising the House Building a new foundation Constructing a new lower level Installing hurricane straps and bracing where necessary Painting, siding, and coating Re-installing or rebuilding decks, porches, and stairs Re-installing landscaping and hardscape Re-connecting all utilities and raising your HVAC equipment off the ground
Working with Elevation Contractors Interested property owners are encouraged at this time to get an elevation estimate from a New Jersey licensed home elevation contractor Licensed home elevation specialists and professionals can be found by visiting the State of New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov Download Hiring a Home Elevation Contractor from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs Further information may be found at: www.rebuildnewjersey.com
Schedule Homeowner Workshops (2) March 25 and April 1, 2017 Data Collection March-April 2016 Property Owner Document Deadline April 10, 2017; Elevation Estimate deadline extended to April 17, 2017 Grant Application Development April 1 May 15, 2017 Grant Application Due to NJOEM May 17, 2017 State Grant Submission Deadline (to FEMA) TBD FEMA Notice of Award - TBD Project Implementation - TBD
Resources We have added a 2017 Jonas Grant Program page to the Cape May HMP Update project website at: www.capemaycountyhmp.com Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Mapper and a wealth of relevant information: www.region2coastal.com Information on Elevations and Contractors (private site): www.rebuildnewjersey.com Your municipality is one of your best resources...they are critical in the mitigation process, so work with them from the start. Jonathan Raser, CFM jonathan.raser@tetratech.com (973) 630-8042