Title
City’s Floodplain Management Plan Update (Resolution 22345) - Citywide
Description
Request City Council’s approval and adoption of the 2025 edition of the City of Phoenix Floodplain Management Plan.
Report
Summary
The City’s current Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) was prepared in 2015 and adopted by the Council by resolution in 2016. The responsibility for floodplain management lies with many, including private property owners, business, industry, and the local, state, and federal government. Recognizing no one solution exists for reducing all flood hazards, planning provides a mechanism to identify the best alternatives within the capabilities of a jurisdiction. The City recognizes the strategic value of being proactive for residents at risk of flooding and prepared this update to the FMP, previously issued in May 2016. This FMP update (Attachment A) assess the flood hazards within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City, while maintaining an objective outlook toward the coordination with partner cities and agencies for collaborated efforts in reducing flood risk. The FMP update summarizes the previous completed plan elements, provides a review of progress achieved to date, and sets a roadmap for future actions to reduce flood risk. The FMP provides an overall strategy of programs, projects and mitigation measures aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of flood hazards on a community. The FMP also identifies flood risks, their impact to the community, and provides a prioritized action plan for reducing flood risks.
The City’s Floodplain Management Team in the Office of the City Engineer has been following the plan to meet the current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) guidelines, to reflect the City’s historic and current floodplain management efforts and strengthen the support and opportunity for residents to experience cost savings on flood insurance premiums. The current plan assists the City in prioritizing flood management activities, identifying improvement projects to reduce flooding risks, educating the public, increasing local awareness of flooding risks, and creates successful partnerships with local, county, and government agencies. This plan also provides a great benefit for the City’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS), which currently ranks the City at Class 5, thereby providing property owners a 25 percent premium discount on their floodplain insurance policies.
The City’s 2025 Floodplain Management Plan was developed following the 10-step process identified by the CRS Coordinators Manual:
- Organize
- Involve the Public
- Coordinate
- Assess the Hazard
- Assess the Problem
- Set Goals
- Review Possible Activities
- Draft an Action Plan
- Adopt the Plan
- Implement, Evaluate, Revise
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the City.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- On June 14, 2016, the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee recommended City Council adoption of the 2016 edition of the City of Phoenix Floodplain Management Plan with a 3-0 vote.
- On June 22, 2016, the City Council adopted the Resolution for the plan.
- On October 16, 2025, Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Committee recommended City Council adoption of the 2025 edition of the City of Phoenix Floodplain Management Plan with a 3-0 vote.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the City Engineer.