Notes

ATTENDEES

David Stolpa (TxDOT – Des/Hyd), Joe duMenil (San Antonio), Lori Houston (San Antonio), Mike Howard (TCEQ), Nancy Cline (Carrolton), Jerry Hodge (Grapevine), John Robertson (Grapevine), Amy Ronnfeldt (TxDOT-Des/Hyd), Ali Radaydeh (TxDOT-Dallas), Gonzalo Cedillos (El Paso), Steve Graham (San Antonio River Authority), Albert Ramirez (TxDOT – Laredo), Sam Talje (TxDOT – Houston), Elie Alkhoury (TxDOT – Houston)

I. Introductions

Joe du Menil, San Antonio

II. Opening Comments

David Stolpa of TxDOT thanked everyone for participating and reiterated that TxDOT is still in the listening mode.

Jerry Hodge – Informed the committee that the TPWA participants have performed studies and research in preparation for this meeting. We look forward to future meetings and progress. He also commented on the diversity of issues within each district and anticipates that the agreement will be developed among each individual district.

III. Discussion Points and Case Presentations– for additional information please see the May 7^th PowerPoint

1. Communication

i. Joe du Menil reiterated the importance of open and continuous communication

2. Education

i. David Stolpa communicated his support of the CFM program and encourages his employees to participate

ii. Jerry Hodge communicated his frustration of secretary’s being the flood plain administrator of record. Would like to offer more education programs on flood plain management through TPWA and TFMA. The training needs to include what TxDOT can and cannot do.

3. Procedures and Technical

i. The committee also addressed the hidden conservatism that exists within the municipal models. TxDOT is reluctant to use models due to the conservatism. A well-calibrated study would be easier for TxDOT to accept.

ii. Steve Graham stated that municipalities need to flag sensitivity areas.

iii. David Stolpa said that they do not design for a 100-year event but do use the event as a check. When projects are located in FEMA-mapped floodplains, the FIS value is used to determine impact. He also pointed out that TxDOT is self-insured and occasional flooding of their structures is acceptable for them. The 100-yr event used in the National Flood Insurance Program was likely chosen by FEMA as a best balance of risk vs. premiums and was intended to apply only to the structures insured under the program.

iv. Joe mentioned that this issue goes back to basic definitions and everyone should standardize these definitions.

v. David Stolpa stated that ideally he would like to have a universal manual with state and regional standards and noted how significantly even adjacent communities can vary in criteria. He also mentioned that it would probably be some time before this will be realized.

vi. TxDOT is focused on building the most economical infrastructure and municipalities are focused on protecting people.

IV. The committee identified three priority issues:

1. Communication

i. Participants need to submit weaknesses of the TxDOT procedural manual. David Stolpa request that recommendations be submitted to him.

2. Maps

i. The TPWA committee questioned the TxDOT participants on why they do not utilize the municipality models. David Stolpa stated that they are required to use the FEMA model in order to avoid liability. Joe du Menil stated that FEMA requires staff to use the best available data. David Stolpa stated that the FEMA model should be the best available data if updates are submitted.

3. Methodology

V. Next Steps:

1. David Stolpa said that he would start working on clarifying gaps in the TxDOT manual and emphasize the importance of early communication and the importance of tracking changes in order to maintain maps. This is one reason for his request for feedback on the manual. Likewise, he indicated that the communities must evaluate their internal communications. He cited several cases where TxDOT was communicating with the planning departments, etc., and assuming that they were communicating with their floodplain managers. They often were not.

2. Once the communication and mapping issues are resolved, the committee must focus on the following:

i. Define criteria for best available data

ii. Map revision process

iii. Stricter criteria-funding

iv. Outdated studies

v. Both groups need to be flexible

VI. Closing Comments

1. The committee would like to meet in Laredo the week of July 12 - 16