The Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program (LHMPP) is a crucial grant initiative that directly supports communities in understanding and reducing their vulnerability to natural hazards. Unlike the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) which focus on terrorism preparedness (though with dual-use benefits), LHMPP is specifically tailored to proactive disaster risk reduction.

Here's a breakdown for the Schertz City Council:

1. Program Overview and Funding Source:

• Administered in Texas by the GLO: In Texas, the LHMPP is managed and administered by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), specifically through its Disaster Recovery Division.
• Funding from CDBG-MIT: The LHMPP is funded through a Community Development Block Grant for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This distinguishes it from FEMA-administered grants and often means the funding is tied to specific past disaster declarations in eligible counties/ZIP codes.
• Purpose: The core purpose of LHMPP is to provide grants (typically ranging from $20,000 to $100,000) for eligible entities to develop or update Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs). It can also serve as a cost-share for hazard mitigation planning activities funded through other federal sources, like FEMA.

2. The Importance of a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP):

The LHMP is a foundational document for any community's disaster preparedness and resilience efforts. Its main goals are to:

• Identify Risks and Vulnerabilities: Systematically assess the natural hazards that pose a threat to the community (e.g., floods, tornadoes, droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, earthquakes) and determine the potential impacts on people, property, and critical infrastructure.
• Develop Mitigation Strategies: Based on the risk assessment, set priorities and develop long-term strategies, actions, and projects to avoid or minimize the undesired effects of disasters. These actions can include:
  • Structural Projects: Elevating homes, constructing safe rooms, improving drainage, building floodwalls, or retrofitting infrastructure.
  • Non-Structural Initiatives: Updating building codes, developing land-use policies, public education campaigns, and preserving natural systems (e.g., wetlands for flood control).
• Maintain Eligibility for Federal Funding: This is a critical aspect. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000mandates that local governments must have a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to be eligible for many types of pre-disaster and post-disaster federal hazard mitigation project funding, including:
  • FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) (post-disaster)
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program (pre-disaster)
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program (pre-disaster, specifically for flood risk) Without an approved LHMP, a city like Schertz would be significantly limited in accessing these vital funds for actual mitigation projects.
• Promote Public and Stakeholder Engagement: The planning process requires active involvement from community stakeholders, local government departments, and the public. This increases awareness of local hazards and fosters a shared commitment to risk reduction.
• Integrate Planning Efforts: A well-developed LHMP integrates with other community planning efforts, such as comprehensive plans, land use plans, and capital improvement plans, ensuring that mitigation is woven into day-to-day decision-making.

3. Schertz's Context and Engagement:

• Existing Plan Status: Schertz, as part of Guadalupe County, likely participates in a multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan that includes the county and other surrounding communities. The City of Schertz's Emergency Management page indicates an awareness of various natural hazards relevant to the area (extreme heat, flood, thunderstorms, tornado, winter weather).
• Update Requirement: LHMPs must be updated and re-approved by FEMA every five years to maintain eligibility for federal mitigation grant programs. Therefore, even if Schertz currently has an approved plan, it will periodically need to engage in the update process.
• Application Process (for new plan or update):
  • Schertz would apply directly to the Texas General Land Office for LHMPP funding. The program has specific eligibility criteria, often tied to counties or ZIP codes that have been impacted by certain federally declared disasters (e.g., Hurricane Harvey or other major flood events).
  • The application process is typically "first-come, first-served" until funding is exhausted or a program deadline is reached (e.g., July 2027 for the current GLO LHMPP).
  • The process involves identifying a planning team, assessing risks, developing mitigation strategies, and obtaining local adoption and federal (FEMA) approval.

In summary, the Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program (LHMPP) provides essential funding for Schertz to develop or update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. Having an approved LHMP is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a strategic investment that enables the city to proactively understand its risks, plan concrete actions to reduce those risks, and unlock access to much larger federal grants for implementing actual mitigation projects, thereby protecting lives, property, and the long-term well-being of the community.

This Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program (LHMPP) grant will fund the comprehensive development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Schertz, Texas. The overarching goal is to systematically identify local hazards, assess community vulnerabilities, and establish a strategic framework of mitigation actions designed to reduce the long-term risks to life, property, and critical infrastructure from future natural and technological disasters. This plan will serve as a foundational document for enhancing the city's resilience and guiding future investments in hazard mitigation.

Generally, the key objectives of LHMPP are:

• Promote Proactive Risk Reduction: Shift communities from a reactive "respond and rebuild" cycle to a proactive "plan and mitigate" approach.
• Identify Hazards and Vulnerabilities: Help communities systematically identify the natural hazards they face (e.g., floods, tornadoes, wildfires, droughts, severe storms) and assess their specific vulnerabilities to these hazards, including impacts on people, property, critical infrastructure, and the economy.
• Develop Mitigation Strategies: Guide communities in developing long-term strategies, actions, and projects designed to reduce or eliminate the impacts of future hazard events. This includes both structural (e.g., elevating homes, improving drainage) and non-structural (e.g., land-use planning, public education) measures.
• Ensure Eligibility for Federal Mitigation Funding: This is a crucial goal. The program directly supports local governments in meeting the mandate of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which requires an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for eligibility to receive most federal hazard mitigation project grants (like FEMA's HMGP, BRIC, and FMA programs) both before and after disasters.
• Foster Community Engagement and Buy-in: Encourage broad participation from local government departments, community stakeholders, and the public in the planning process, increasing awareness of risks and building a shared commitment to mitigation.
• Integrate Mitigation into Local Planning: Promote the integration of hazard mitigation considerations into existing local planning processes, such as comprehensive plans, land-use zoning, and capital improvement programs, to ensure that risk reduction is a continuous and ingrained practice.

In essence, the LHMPP aims to lay the groundwork for long-term community resilience by providing the financial assistance necessary for communities to strategically plan how they will reduce the impacts of future natural disasters.

The Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program (LHMPP) offers profound community benefits that directly enhance safety, economic stability, and overall quality of life, even though its immediate output is a planning document. These benefits stem from the strategic foresight and action-oriented approach that hazard mitigation planning fosters.

Here are the key community benefits:

Reduced Loss of Life and Injury: By identifying specific hazards (like flood zones, tornado paths, or wildfire-prone areas) and developing strategies to mitigate their impact, communities can implement measures that directly protect residents. This includes promoting safe room construction, improving early warning systems, or encouraging evacuation planning, all of which save lives.

Minimized Property Damage and Economic Losses:

• Proactive Investment: Instead of expensive post-disaster repairs, mitigation plans encourage proactive investments (e.g., elevating structures in flood-prone areas, retrofitting buildings for wind resistance, improving drainage systems). These actions significantly reduce the scale of damage when a disaster strikes, saving property owners and the community vast sums in reconstruction costs.
• Reduced Business Interruption: By protecting critical infrastructure (e.g., power grids, water systems, transportation routes) and helping businesses plan for resilience, mitigation minimizes downtime after an event, leading to faster economic recovery and less disruption for local commerce.
• Lower Insurance Costs: Communities that effectively implement mitigation measures and maintain an approved plan may qualify for FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) program, which can lead to reduced flood insurance premiums for residents and businesses.

Maintained Eligibility for Federal Disaster Funding: This is a crucial, often overlooked, benefit. Having a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a mandatory prerequisite for communities to receive many types of federal hazard mitigation project grants (like FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs).Without an LHMP, a community could be ineligible for vital funds to rebuild stronger and safer after a disaster, leaving a heavier financial burden on local taxpayers and individual property owners.

Enhanced Community Resilience and Sustainability:

• Informed Development: The plan helps guide future land-use decisions, ensuring that new development avoids high-risk areas or incorporates appropriate mitigation measures. This prevents building new vulnerabilities.
• Environmental Protection: Many mitigation strategies, such as preserving wetlands or restoring natural floodplains, offer co-benefits like improved water quality, enhanced ecosystems, and expanded recreational opportunities, contributing to the overall environmental health and sustainability of the community.
• Strengthened Social Fabric: The planning process itself encourages community engagement and collaboration, bringing diverse stakeholders together to discuss shared risks and solutions. This builds social cohesion, which is vital for a community's ability to recover collectively after a disaster.

Improved Public Awareness and Education: The development of an LHMP often includes public outreach components that educate residents about the specific hazards they face, their personal risks, and actions they can take to protect themselves and their property. This creates a more informed and prepared citizenry.

In essence, the LHMPP grant enables communities like Schertz to develop a strategic roadmap for their future safety. It moves them from simply reacting to disasters to proactively shaping a safer, more resilient environment, leading to fewer losses, faster recovery, and a stronger, more sustainable community for all residents.

Authorize the submission of an application and accept an award for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program (LHMPP); designating the City Manager as the Authorized Offical not to exceed the amount of $100,000.00. 

100% Reimbursement Grant Program

The total cost of the grant project is estimated at approximately $70,000.00. We are eligible for up to $100,000.00. This range exists due to the vast complexity of hazard mitigation planning and potential unknown expenses that may arise during this planning process. All potential expenses would be covered under this program to the cap mentioned prior. 

This has been conducted recently with both Guadalupe and Bexar counties staying very close to their estimations and not exceeding the same cap. 

Staff recommends approval of this agenda item.