Hazard Mitigation Committee: The Office of Emergency Management is in the process of updating the hazard mitigation annex to our emergency management plan, along with the hazard analysis study, and reviewing the many potential hazards and threats the city may face. In doing so the City has decided to re-establish a mitigation committee similar to the one used several years ago when all jurisdictions were required to comply with the Mitigation Act of 2000 by having a mitigation action plan in place by December of 2004. As a result of this the City became part of the regional plan developed through the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG).
The key to preventing some potential disasters is through mitigation programs such as flood plain management, building code enforcement, and by following some good basic planning concepts regarding development within the City.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee will be composed of several city staff members representing various functions such as law enforcement, fire protection and prevention, emergency preparedness, flood plain management, building codes, city planning, along with at least two (2) citizens and one elected official. The committee will be appointed by the City Council for a two or three year term. Following one or two initial meetings, it is anticipated that the committee will meet once or twice each calendar year. All recommendations put forth by the committee will be utilized by the Office of Emergency Management, the mitigation coordinator, and other city officials for various plans and programs to improve our preparedness program through the mitigation process. It should be noted that all of the issues identified as part of the mitigation action plan have been implemented. This included the adoption of new building codes and the development of the City Newsletter for more direct communications with our citizens.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee will be under the Office of Emergency Management and will be chaired by the Assistant City Manager, Mr. Scott Wayman, who is designated in the mitigation plan annex as the Hazard Mitigation Coordinator. The purpose of this committee as defined in the plan annex will be to evaluate current and potential hazards and to identify possible strategies to reduce the vulnerability of our citizens and to protect property.
If you are a Live Oak resident the only requirement for appointment is your desire to serve the community. While some basic knowledge of the City would be helpful, it is not really necessary. Committee meetings will be held with a posted agenda and will be recorded, and will also be open to the public. In addition, the committee meetings will mostly likely be held during the daytime, probably in the afternoons as were the meetings for the regional mitigation action plan.
It is anticipated that the committee will be appointed by the City Council in August with the initial meeting shortly there after.
If anyone is interested in serving on the committee, or if you would like more information, please contact Gary Woppert, the Emergency Management Coordinator at 653-9140, Extension 379, on line at the link provided, or stop by his office in the fire station during normal business hours. Those interested in serving may submit a letter or send an e-mail and provide basic information such as name, address, and contact phone numbers or an e-mail address.
