(A) The Code Enforcement Officer shall also be the Floodplain Administrator and he or she and/or his or her 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 provision.
(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, advise permittee that additional federal or state permits may be required, and if specific federal or state permit requirements are known, require that copies of such permits be provided and maintained on file with the development permit;
(c) Flood damages will be reduced in the best possible manner; and
(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 foot at any point.
(2) Review and use of any other base flood date. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with § 15.08.070, 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 §§ 15.08.200 through 15.08.260. Any such information shall be submitted to the City Council for adoption.
(3) Notification of other agencies.
(a) Notify adjacent communities, the Commonwealth 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;
(b) Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, 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 § 15.08.210(A) lowest floor elevations) as shown on a 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 or substantially improved structures, in accordance with § 15.08.210(B);
(b) Certification required by § 15.08.210(B) (elevation or flood-proofing of nonresidential structures) as shown on a completed and certified flood-proofing certificate. Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the new or substantially improved structures have been flood-proofed in accordance with § 15.08.310(B)(2);
(c) Certification required by § 15.08.210(C) (elevated structures);
(d) Certification of elevation required by § 15.08.240(A) (subdivision standards);
(e) Certification required by § 15.08.210(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 not diminished;
(g) Review certified plans and specifications for compliance; and
(h) Remedial action; take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in § 15.08.130.
(5) Map determinations. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the 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 § 15.08.140(C)(2).
(b) When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in accordance with § 15.08.070, then the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state, or other source, in order to administer the provisions of §§ 15.08.200 through 15.08.260;
(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 § 15.08.210(B) a flood-proofing certificate; and
(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 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 Administrator may enter such building, structure, or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or perform any duty imposed upon the Administrator by this chapter.
(b) If such structure or premises are occupied, he or she shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such building, structure, or premises are unoccupied, he or she 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 Administrator shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.
(d) When the 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 Administrator for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter.
(7) Stop-work orders.
(a) Upon notice from the Administrator, work on any building, structure, or premises that is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall immediately cease.
(b) 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 doing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
(8) Revocation.
(a) The 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 Administrator may revoke a permit upon determination by the Administrator 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.
(a) 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 or her duties, shall not thereby render himself or herself 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 or her duties.
(b) Any suit brought against any officer, employee, or member because of such act performed by him or her, 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 construction permit, and all provisions contained therein, shall expire if the holder of a floodplain construction permit has not commenced construction within 180 calendar days from the date of its issuance by the Floodplain Administrator.
(Ord. 2005-04, passed 6-28-2005)