(A) The Floodplain Administrator and/or staff is hereby appointed, authorized and directed to administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Floodplain Administrator is further authorized to render interpretations of this chapter, which are consistent with its spirit and purpose by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions.
(B) The duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(1) Permit review: Review all development permits to ensure that:
(a) Permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;
(b) All other required state and federal permits have been obtained: review proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been received from those governmental agencies from which approval is required by Federal or State law, including Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C 1334;
(c) Flood damages will be reduced in the best possible manner;
(d) The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of affected watercourses. For purposes of this chapter, “adversely affects” means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one (1) foot at any point.
(2) Review and use of any other base flood data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with § 152.06, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other source, in order to administer the provisions of §§ 152.35 through 152.40. Any such information shall be submitted to the City Council for adoption.
(3) Notification of other agencies:
(a) Notify adjacent communities, the Kentucky Division of Water, and any other federal and/or state agencies with statutory or regulatory authority prior to any alteration or relocation of the watercourse; and
(b) Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and
(c) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.
(4) Documentation of floodplain development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following:
(a) Certification required by § 152.36 (lowest floor elevations) as shown on an accurately completed and certified Elevation Certificate, verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to Mean Sea Level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures, in accordance with § 152.26(A)(2);
(b) Certification required by § 152.36(B) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures) as shown on an accurately completed and certified FEMA floodprooofing certificate. Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to Mean Sea Level) to which the new and substantially improved structures have been flood-proofed, in accordance with § 152.26(B);
(c) Certification required by § 152.36(C) (elevated structures);
(d) Certification of elevation required by § 152.39(A) (subdivision standards);
(e) Certification required by § 152.36(E) (floodway encroachments);
(f) Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is maintained;
(g) Review certified plans and specifications for compliance; and
(h) Remedial action. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in § 152.12.
(5) Map determinations. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of die boundaries of the special flood hazard areas, for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions.
(a) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions) the Floodplain Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in § 152.50(C)(2);
(b) When base flood elevation data and floodway data have not been provided in accordance with § 152.06, then the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonable utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state, or other source, in order to administer the provisions of §§ 152.35 through 152.40;
(c) When flood-proofing is utilized for a particular structure, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain certification from a registered professional engineer or architect, in accordance with § 152.36(B) a floodproofing certificate;
(d) All records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter shall be maintained in the office of the Floodplain Administrator and shall be open for public inspection.
(6) Right of entry.
(a) Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this chapter, or whenever the floodplain administrator has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any structure or upon any premises any condition or ordinance violation which makes such building, structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the floodplain administrator may enter such building, structure or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or perform any duty imposed upon the floodplain administrator by this chapter.
(b) If such structure or premises are occupied, the Floodplain Administrator shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such building, structure, or premises are unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of such request entry.
(c) If entry is refused, the Floodplain Administrator shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.
(d) When the floodplain administrator shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building, structure, or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the Floodplain Administrator for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter.
(7) Stop work orders.
(a) Upon notice from the Floodplain Administrator, work on any building, structure or premises that is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall immediately cease. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, or to his or her agent, or to the person performing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
(8) Revocation of permits.
(a) The Floodplain Administrator may revoke a permit or approval, issued under the provisions of this chapter, in case there has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to the material fact in the application or plans on which the permit or approval was based.
(b) The Floodplain Administrator may revoke a permit upon determination that the construction, erection, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, installation, or replacement of the structure for which the permit was issued is in violation of, or not in conformity with, the provisions of this chapter.
(9) Liability. Any officer, employee, or member of the Floodplain Administrator’s staff, charged with the enforcement of this chapter, acting for the applicable governing authority in the discharge of his/her duties, shall not thereby render personally liable, and is hereby relieved from all personal liability, for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his/her duties. Any suit brought against any officer, employee, or member because of such act performed by him/her in the enforcement of any provision of this chapter shall be defended by the department of law until the final termination of the proceedings.
(10) Expiration of Floodplain Construction Permit. A floodplain development permit, and all provisions contained therein, shall expire if the “start of construction” has not occurred within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days from the date of its issuance.
(Ord. 2012-06-01, passed 7-11-12)