2014 ANNUAL REPORT F l o o d C o n t r o l D i s t r i c t o f M a r i c o p a C o u n t y, A r i z o n a Flooding on Interstate 17 at Dixeleta Road—August 19, 2014 10 Significant Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2014 101 miles of FRS “unsafe” 1 Powerline 5 Completed delineation while working on classification has been removed additional 73 miles of delineation Completed in December 2014, 2 the Lower El Mirage Wash Basin 6 Maintained Community Rating System Class 4 designation was named Small Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association Report-A-Flood, 3 Launched Facebook, YouTube, Twitter 8,000 documents 4 Over and periodicals in the 7 Engineering Library were made available online Administration customer information 8 Increased interactions–5,954 (up over 1,600 from last FY). Average score for Customer Satisfaction Survey: 99.9% from 324 responses, 6% response rate resulting in 30% discount on flood insurance for county citizens; savings of over $395,000 Natural Resources Conservation Service obligated $81.1 million to rehabilitate Buckeye Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) No.1, White Tanks FRS No.4, Powerline FRS and Vineyard Road FRS Engineering • Contracts and Procurement • Sand and Gravel • Finance • Support Services charged to vandalism repairs 9 Labor have decreased 58% since 2011 due to the Deputy Sheriff program of Ad Hoc Task Force 10 76% recommendations were implemented by October 1 Executive • Floodplain Use Permits • Flood Warning • Chief Engineer/ General Manager • Hydrology and Hydraulics Manual • Deputy Director • Ombudsman • Flood Insurance • FLO-2D Modeling • Public Information • Floodplain Delineations Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget for FY14 District expended Design $4.1 Million Rights-of-way $2.2 Million Floodplain Management and Services • Inspections • Community Rating System • Levee Certification Dam Safety Rehabilitation $40.0 million Supervisor District $38.5 million (96.2%) Internal Labor $1.8 Million Construction $30.4 Million Estimated Substantial Completion Date White Tanks Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) No. 4 4 January 2017 Powerline FRS 1 September 2018 Vineyard Road FRS 1 September 2018 Rittenhouse FRS 1 To be determined Buckeye FRS No. 1 4 November 2016 Guadalupe FRS Modifications 5 To be determined McMicken Dam 4 June 2030 Cave Buttes Dam Modifications 3 June 2018 Saddleback FRS 4, 5 To be determined Floodplain Use Permits Processed Flood Warning ALERT Station Data ALERT Stations achieved 99.6% operational efficiency for the year. INSTALLED 7 NEW ALERT STATIONS Geographic Information Systems Planning and Project Management Operations & Maintenance • Aerial Photography • Structure Maintenance • Planning Studies • Mapping Services • Work Control Center • Capital Improvement Program • Data Sales • Small Projects Assistance Program Real Estate • Land Sales and Acquisitions • City Limit Mapping • Auctions • Dam Safety Studies in Progress Revenue and Expenditures Supervisor District Pinnacle Peak West ADMS Wickenburg ADMP Tempe ADMS 2, 3 4 Estimated Completion Date June 2015 October 2014 1, 5 September 2015 Gila Bend ADMP 5 December 2014 Middle Indian Bend Wash ADMS 3 February 2017 Lower Indian Bend Wash ADMS 1, 2, 3 Ahwatukee Foothills ADMS Upper East Fork Cave Creek ADMS June 2015 1, 5 December 2015 3 September 2016 * * * Expenditures partially covered by fund balance. WELCOME Table of Contents Welcome 1 About the District 2 Board of Directors 2 Flood Control Advisory Board 2 District Organizational Chart 3 Citizen Task Force 4 FCD in the Community 5 Lower El Mirage Wash Basin 5 Managing Floodplains 6 National Flood Insurance Community Rating System 6 Rainfall & Weather 7 Structure Operation and Maintenance 8 Planning for the Future 9 2014 Completed Projects 9 2014 Completed Planning Studies 9 2014 Financial Highlights Monsoon 2014 10 Back Page William “Bill” Wiley, P.E. Chief Engineer and General Manager When I assumed the position of Chief Engineer and General Manager on June 2, the District was in the process of exploring opportunities to enhance customer service and operate more efficiently. This was reinforced by recommendations from an Ad Hoc Citizen Task Force. It was during this time that Arizona experienced one of the most active monsoons in its history. In August and September Maricopa County witnessed widespread, catastrophic flooding which impacted thousands of its citizens. These events highlighted the value of effective flood control for the safety of citizens and property. It’s safe to say that I hit the ground running. As I consider the future of the District, certain words come to mind. Collaboration. It is important that we collaborate with our stakeholders and find opportunities to work together. We need partnerships that will increase flood protection for citizens and provide flood protection for areas that are expanding due to rapid growth and development. Communication. We need to improve communication with our elected officials and citizens about the projects and studies that are occurring in their communities. Vision. While I believe that this is one of the best flood control districts in the country, I want to make sure that we prepare for the challenges ahead and for future generations. I’m committed that the District will continue to be a service-oriented and a well-respected community partner. The Flood Control District serves an essential role in Maricopa County. It is important that as the county grows that the Flood Control District continues to protect our citizens and enhance the vitality of the county’s future. Flood Control Disrtict of Maricopa County 2801 West Durango Street Phoenix, Arizona 85009 (602) 506-1501 www.fcd.maricopa.gov Bill ABOUT THE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District) is a municipal corporation and political subdivision of the state of Arizona. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors serves as the District’s Board of Directors, which in turn receives counsel from the Flood Control Advisory Board which is comprised of county citizens. Mission: The Flood Control District of Maricopa County provides regional flood hazard identification, regulation, remediation, and education to Maricopa County residents so that they can reduce the risk of injury, death, and property damage from flooding, while still enjoying the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains. Vision: The District’s vision is for the residents of Maricopa County and future generations to have the maximum level of protection from the effects of flooding through fiscally responsible flood control actions and multi-use facilities that complement and enhance the beauty of our desert environment. We pledge to be responsive to our clients in an efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible manner. We will show personal integrity and professionalism in all our actions, and display continuous improvement, innovative thinking, and technical expertise. We will be stewards of the environment and the public’s trust, and we will be concerned about the effects of our actions on not only the current, but also future generations. Denny Barney Chairman District 1 Steve Chucri District 2 Andy Kunasek District 3 Clint Hickman District 4 Mary Rose Wilcox District 5 (resigned) Marie Lopez Rogers District 5 2014 FLOOD CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD Hemant Patel, Chairman Dallas Tanner Gregg Monger Scott Ward, Secretary Melvin Martin DeWayne Justice Ray Dovalina, Ex Officio Bob Larchick, Ex Officio Chief Engineer and General Manager Bill Wiley Deputy Director Ken Proksa Executive Assistant Anna Medina Public Information Officer Aisha Alexander Floodplain Management and Services Kelli Sertich Planning and Project Management Don Rerick Engineering Deputy Chief Engineer and General Manager Ed Raleigh Real Estate Mike Wilson Operations and Maintenance Charlie Klenner Geographic Information Systems Vacant Administration Vacant Mitigation, Planning, and Technical Tim Murphy Project Management Scott Vogel Water Quality Matthew Oller Property Management Dianna Cunningham Inspection Supervisor Bill Leal GIS Solutions Larry Wolfson Contracts Shari Simonski Floodplain Customer Service Vacant CIP Program Supervisor Patrick Schafer Mapping & Surveying John Stock Property Engineering Ken Green O&M Supervisor Steven Rubin GIS Services Kevin LaVallee Finance/Business Analyst Karen Scott Floodplain Permits Lynn Thomas Construction Management Fritz Huber Special Projects Tom Loomis Property Acquisition Gary Scott Floodplain Compliance Michael Smith Planning Douglas Williams Flood Warning Steve Waters Landscape Program Manager Vacant Hydrology/Hydraulics Vacant Dam Safety Thomas Renckly Engineering Applications & River Mechanics Bing Zhao Civil/Structures Jeff Riddle Support Services Deborah Wilson Finance Services David Turner Flood Control District of Maricopa County 2801 West Durango Street Phoenix, Arizona 85009 (602) 506-1501 Floodplain Management: (602) 506-2419 Ombudsman: (602) 506-4695 3 CITIZEN TASK FORCE Recognizing an opportunity to enhance customer service and streamline regulatory processes, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors initiated a citizen’s task force in April 2014 to identify and recommend process improvements for the District. Two subcommittees, Process & Communication and Regulatory Review, met bi-weekly to discuss the issues and ultimately made 17 recommendations for process improvement. All of the recommendations were supported by staff and the District’s Board of Directors approved the task force recommendations on September 22, 2014. Approximately 76 percent of the recommendations were implemented as of October 1, 2014. Implemented Recommendations Recommendations In-Progress Create meeting communication form Conduct “Kaizen” on key process with stakeholders & staff Examine communication to public on ADMP studies Create combined grading & drainage checklist for P&D and District Conduct Annual Public Forum Monthly Floodplain Stakeholder Group (FSG) Establish Ombudsman position Establish standards on service expectations of District staff Enhance on-line services and FCD Web site Relook at Agua Fria River study Look at revising garage elevation regulations Implement Customer Feedback Form Utilize customer inquiry tracking system (FITS) Enhance GIS tools Add teleconferencing tools Establish Sand & Gravel Committee FCD Web site, engineering library on-line, FAQ tool Clarify variance and appeal process online 4 FCD in the Community Education Outreach In addition to traditional media and advertising, the District’s communication office launched mobile tools and other online resources to engage the citizens of Maricopa County. ReportAFlood.org (RAF), an application that allows county citizens to participate in reporting flooding, was introduced in March 2014. County residents are able to upload flood photos and videos directly to geo-referenced locations throughout the county due to the tool’s GIS and GPS applications. The information that is uploaded into RAF helps District professionals better understand how all parts of the county are impacted by floodwaters. Recognizing that the communication environment has changed, the District joined social media to interact with county residents using popular networking mediums. The District now operates Facebook and Twitter pages, and has a YouTube channel. The sites have been instrumental in interacting with citizens on a consistent basis as well as connecting the District with media outlets. In 2014, the District added two new flood safety ambassadors to the education outreach team. Gage and Jet made their debut at Phoenix Comicon 2014 where over 400 children and educators received copies of the District’s new activity book, ‘Flood Safety with Gage and Jet.’ The beaver and bat outreach duo are featured throughout the District’s activity book. Geared towards ele-middle aged students, the activity book is a tool that is used by the District to help teach children what it means to be flood safe and flood smart! Award Winning Lower El Mirage Wash Basin, El Mirage, AZ The Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) awarded the 2014 Public Works Project of the Year, for structures less than $5 million, to the District’s Lower El Mirage Wash Basin project. This project is located on a portion of Lower El Mirage Wash at the southwest corner of Cactus Road and El Mirage Road. Prior to this project, the site was vacant land with a roughly graded depression. During storm events the existing large culvert under El Mirage Road would not attenuate flood flows, and after a storm event ponded water as deep as three feet would remain on the site. The wash now flows into the site from the north across a dip crossing at Cactus Road. Flows then exit the basin eastward under El Mirage Road. The flood control features of this project include an outlet culvert at El Mirage Road, a graded basin, a sediment-removal basin, and storm drain improvements. This landscaped basin also includes grass-lined, terraced areas above the low flow channels within the project. The resulting project setting provides multi-use functions and experiences for various recreational activities. 5 Managing Floodplains The District is responsible for providing regional flood protection in all of Maricopa County and local flood protection in unincorporated Maricopa County. The District is not responsible for all floodplain regulation in Maricopa County as some municipalities handle their own floodplain management. The District is responsible for floodplain management and regulation in the following communities: Buckeye, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Guadalupe, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Queen Creek, Surprise, Tolleson, Youngtown and Wickenburg, Wickenburg, and unincorporated county. To provide a “One Stop Shop” for unincorporated county, the engineering staff at Maricopa County Planning and Development (P&D) issue floodplain use permits. P&D engineering staff also respond to entitlement cases (zoning, plats, special use) on behalf of the District. Floodplain Use Permits for the other 14 communities are processed at the District. Circle City, August 2014 Permits & Inspections Floodplain Use Permits Unincorporated & Community Fees collected 419 ~$108,000 Inspection & Enforcement Unincorporated Floodplain Use Permit Inspections* Floodplain Inquiry Cases Number of completed cases 538 84 55 *100% turnaround conducted within one day of request. Wickenburg, August 2014 National Flood Insurance Community Rating System The District, on behalf of Maricopa County, maintains a Class 4 in the Community Rating System (CRS) and is rated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as one of the top 11 programs in the nation for comprehensive floodplain management. Participation in the National Flood Insurance CRS program offers financial and educational benefits to the citizens of Maricopa County. As a result of the District’s outreach efforts and success, individual flood insurance policy holders in unincorporated Maricopa County receive up to a 30% discount on their flood insurance, which results in an estimated annual savings of over $395,000. New River Dam downstream 6 RAINFALL & WEATHER Rainfall and streamflow information that is used by the District, county emergency departments and National Weather Service is provided by 313 automatic rain gauges, 175 automatic stream gauges, and 36 automatic weather stations, located strategically throughout the county. The gauges and weather stations are monitored and maintained by the District’s flood warning team. The 2014 North American Monsoon, which began on June 15, proved to be one of the most memorable monsoons in Maricopa County history. Additional moisture from multiple hurricanes and tropical storms off the coast of Mexico pushed inland and combined with the residual moisture from the North American Monsoon resulting in increased rainfall across the Desert Southwest. The convergence of moisture caused flash floods in southern Nevada, southern California and Arizona. Maricopa County experienced four significant rain events, two which required the activation of the ALERT Operations Center and partial activation of the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management’s Emergency Operation Center. Regional and local flooding plagued portions of the county as it experienced storm events ranging from 100-year to 1,000-year floods. The District continues to work with the county manager’s office, its Board of Directors and the impacted cities to analyze flood control needs in preparation for future storms of such magnitude. 7 STRUCTURE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Flood control structures are operated and maintained by the District with a commitment to minimizing environmental impacts while enhancing the quality of life for residents living near them. In addition to providing flood control, many of the District’s structures are aesthetically pleasing, multi-use facilities that meld with the desert environment and provide flood protection along with hiking trails, bike paths and open space enjoyed by the residents of Maricopa County. The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Division regularly maintains and inspects District structures. Structure maintenance responsibilities include: mitigating the effects of erosion and sedimentation; vegetation and vector control; maintenance of channels, floodways and outflow devices; and storm damage repair. During the 2014 North American Monsoon, District O&M personnel were crucial to ensuring that the ALERT Operation Center (AOC) was informed about the integrity of District structures. Following each event, O&M inspected structures for potential damage and cleared debris to ensure that the structures would perform as designed for subsequent events. Cave Buttes Dam Maricopa County Structures Maintained by the District 22 dams 365 acres of basins 165 miles of channel 60+ additional structures (levees, drains and spillways) New River Dam 8 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE The District’s annual budget is divided into two buckets: an operating budget that funds routine operations, and a capital project budget that funds new structures or major repairs (CIP). The operating budget is generally fixed by an annual operating target; revenue in excess of the operating target may be available for the CIP. The CIP (project) budget varies from year to year and is dependent upon the availability of funds, grants and cost share. Projects in the District’s CIP have been identified through the District’s planning process, operations and maintenance staff, or project partners. CIP management includes scheduling and funding approved District capital projects, design project management, and construction project management. Project schedule and funding are subject to change as a result partner agencies’ funding availability, public support, priority events, or unexpected project discoveries such as buried utilities, fissures or archeological sites. 2014 Completed Projects 43rd Avenue/Baseline Road Detention Basin Powerline FRS Fissure Risk Zone Mitigation Lower El Mirage Wash Detention Basin Northern Parkway Drainage Improvements Phase I from SR-L303 to Dysart Road Downtown Phoenix Storm Drain Improvements 60th Street & Hollyhock Street Storm Drain 25th Street & Illini Street Storm Drain 28th Street & East Polk Street Storm Drain 22nd Street & Clarendon Avenue Storm Drain Almeria Road & Willetta Street Storm Drain 2014 Completed Planning Studies Pinnacle Peak South Area Drainage Master Study Gillespie Watershed Area Drainage Master Study East Mesa Area Drainage Master Plan Update Peoria Area Drainage Master Plan San Tan Watershed Area Drainage Master Study Hohokam Area Drainage Master Plan Loop 303 Outfall Channel 9 2014 Financial Highlights Preliminary and Unaudited Revenue Collection Status Property Taxes Full Year Revised Budget Collections Full Year Collections Remaining 39,364,869 39,655,196 290,327 166,000 454,212 288,212 7,886,000 4,278,135 (3,607,865) Licenses & Permits Partnership Reimbursement Payments in Lieu 155,382 154,287 (1,095) Interest Earnings 250,000 117,946 (132,054) Grant Funding 159,134 159,133 (1) Miscellaneous Revenue 297,643 944,150 646,507 48,279,028 45,763,060 (2,515,968) Full Year Budget Full Year Actual Funds Remaining 16,384,725 15,221,211 (1,163,514) Operating Budget - Financial Comparative Net Payroll Net Supplies 2,033,943 1,302,858 (731,085) Net Services 19,008,539 16,069,747 (2,938,792) 570,184 428,984 (141,200) Net Capital Intergovernmental Payments — 37,997,391 33,022,800 (4,974,591) 159,134 159,133 (1) 159,134 159,133 (1) Full Year Budget Full Year Actual Funds Remaining Force Account Payroll 2,300,000 1,831,981 (468,019) Land Acquisition 2,305,000 2,178,698 (126,302) Design 5,260,000 4,101,546 (1,158,454) 30,135,000 30,348,482 213,482 40,000,000 38,460,708 (1,539,292) Operating Fund CIP Fund Total Fund Reserve 40,277,265 26,994,074 67,271,339 Grants Services Capital Improvement Program Construction Fund Balance Reserves Beginning Fund Balance Total Revenue Collected Less Expenses Inventory Transfer Out/In 41,484,925 4,278,135 45,763,060 (33,181,934) (38,460,708) (71,642,641) (14,696,402) 14,696,402 — 33,835,544 7,507,904 41,391,757 (48,310) 10 Monsoon 2014 Memorable Storms August 12, 2014 Over 2.5 inches of rain fell in several hours causing a canal to overtop onto Dobbins Road near 19th Avenue. Neighborhoods became inundated with flood water. August 19, 2014 Sheet flooding from desert flowed onto Interstate 17 at Dixeleta Road and numerous swift-water rescues occurred in New River, AZ. September 8, 2014 Phoenix Sky Harbor 1933 record 2.91-inch rainfall record broken. New record is 3.29 inches. Flooding on I-10 at 43rd Avenue closed the interstate for several hours and the Emerald Park basin overtopped causing massive flooding in Mesa neighborhoods. September 27, 2014 More than 46,000 county residents were left without power and Interstate 17 at Buckeye Road was closed for several hours due to flooding.