Title
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia Providing for the City of Hampton to Become a Member of the American Flood Coalition
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The American Flood Coalition is a non-profit organization made up of elected official, businesses and business organizations, military leaders, localities and counties, and other local leaders to help drive resilience and adaptation in the face of sea level rise and increased recurrent flooding. The organization advocates for policies related to four pillars: the economy, communities, rebuilding, and the military. The coalition currently has members in Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia, and is actively expanding. If the City of Hampton joined the coalition, it would be one of the first localities in Virginia to do so.
Recommendation:
Rec
Adopt the resolution
Body
WHEREAS, recurrent flooding is a costly nuisance and a problem that if unaddressed will grow worse as sea levels continue to rise;
WHEREAS, sea level rise around Hampton Roads has risen up to 14 inches since 1950, with 6 inches since 1990, and the rate of increase has grown, with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science projecting relative sea level rise of 1.61 feet between 1992 and 2050;
WHEREAS, investing to proactively prevent flooding is a wiser use of resources than spending on flooding recovery, as exemplified by FEMA research showing that $1 spent on disaster prevention saves between $4 and $7 in recovery costs;
WHEREAS, national coordination and support are necessary for coastal localities to fully address the challenge of sea level rise and flooding, and the American Flood Coalition provides a platform advocating for national solutions to flooding and sea level rise that invest in and protect our coastal communities;
WHEREAS, the American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan organization created to advocate for funding and policy at the federal level, share best practices in a nation-wide forum, leverage communication tools to engage citizens on issues of sea level rise; and support developing local and state-level responses to sea level rise and flooding that, collectively, will enhance the City’s resilience efforts;
WHEREAS, current membership of the coalition covers multiples states and includes state and federal elected officials, business and commerce associations, the Virginia Port Authority Chief Executive Officer, the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, localities, and others;
WHEREAS, membership has no cost or legal obligations for the City and Hampton would be one of the first localities in Virginia to join the coalition;
WHERAS, Hampton has committed to becoming a more resilient city and to leading other coastal communities in resilience, sea level rise, and recurrent flooding efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that joining the American Flood Coalition will promote the public health, safety, and welfare of Hampton residents and ensure the prosperity of the City economy by accelerating solutions to sea level rise and flooding.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that:
It directs the City Manager to formally join the American Flood Coalition and take all other such actions as may be appropriate in furtherance of this resolution.