Official minutes available once approved by the board

Flood overlay ordinance introduced

The Board of Commissioners conducted the first reading of an ordinance amending the county’s Flood Hazard Overlay District and adopting new flood insurance maps mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The maps are the product of a six-year process by FEMA to modernize flood maps nationwide and certify flood-control levees to federal standards and to identify Special Flood Hazard Areas at risk in the event of major flooding events.

A public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the board’s Aug. 25 meeting.

County Planner Jennifer Bunch told the board that all levees in Clatsop County have been de-certified through the FEMA program, with the result that property owners in areas protected by the structures must now meet stricter building standards for new construction. Specifically, most new buildings in those areas must be built three and a half feet higher than previous rules required.

The county must adopt the new maps by Sept. 17 or face suspension from the national flood insurance program. This could result in local property owners losing eligibility for flood insurance.

Emergency services grant approved

The board approved an agreement with the Oregon Military Department Office of Emergency Management to receive a $37,746 grant to fund the installation of an “Ops Center” program for the county’s Emergency Operations Center. The program and associated hardware is also used by the state during natural disasters and will allow the county to communicate directly and more efficiently with state officials during emergency events

Planning Commission appointments made

The board appointed Stephen Malkowski of Arch Cape and Pat O’Grady of Astoria, and re-appointed members Cary Johnson of Astoria and Brian Pogue of Seaside, to the Clatsop County Planning Commission.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Appointed Dannell Davis and Libby Lawrence, both of Astoria, and re-appointed Michael Hinton of Seaside to the Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee