MC MJHMP for COEM

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2022-12-06)

View PDF Item 6 Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 20229 characters
City of 
EL MIRAGE 
Arizona 
GRAND HERITAGE, BRIGHT FUTURE! 
JURISDICTIONAL SUMMARY 
FOR THE 
CITY OF EL MIRAGE 
MARI COP A COUNTY 
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL 
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
 
 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 94 
4.3.6 El Mirage 
The City of El Mirage is located approximately 15 miles northwest of 
downtown Phoenix in the western portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. South of 
Peoria Avenue, El Mirage is bordered to the west and south by the City of Glendale.  It 
is enclosed on the west and north by the City of Surprise.  On the east, the city is 
bordered by the Town of Youngtown and unincorporated areas of Maricopa County.  
El Mirage sits on the west bank of the Agua Fria River, which runs the length of the 
city’s eastern border.  
United States Highway 60, Grand Avenue, is a divided four to six lane road that 
extends from the Town of Wickenburg southeast to Van Buren Street in the City of 
Phoenix.  As shown in Figure 4-20, Highway 60 diagonally traverses the north portion 
of El Mirage. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad runs along Grand 
Avenue’s east side through the City of El Mirage. The centerpiece of El Mirage’s 
recreation facilities is Gateway Park, located at the northwest corner of Thunderbird 
and El Mirage Roads. The Agua Fria River represents the city’s largest open space 
area, entailing 1,120 acres.  
Originally a farming community, migrant farm workers founded El Mirage in 
1937, and the city was incorporated in 1951.  El Mirage’s residents are governed under 
a council-manager form of government, which includes a seven-member city council 
consisting of a mayor and six council members elected at-large for a term of four years.  
The city council appoints the city manager and other officers necessary to produce an 
orderly administration of the city’s affairs.  
In 2019, the 
population 
of 
El 
Mirage was 34,359. 
Population 
projections for 2020 
and 
2030 
current 
corporate limits and 
population, housing, 
and 
employment 
statistics for MPAs for 2010, 2020 and 2030 are summarized in Table 4-7. 
 
Development Trends: 
In the last 5 years, El Mirage has had industrial growth to the southern areas of 
the city. There has been minor growth with residential homes in the north east section, 
but most of the growth has been the southern industrial zone. Most growth has come in 
the form of manufacturing. A data storage facility has also been constructed in the 
industrial zone. 
The current plans for the next 5 years are the continuation of seeking industrial 
and commercial growth, in the southern parts of El Mirage.  There are plans for 3 story 
residential, multifamily dwellings are being constructed in the north west section of the 
city. Land was annexed south of the industrial zone for more industrial developments.  
Table 4-7:  Population, housing and employment 
statistics for El Mirage  
Year 
Population Population Housing Employment 
(Current 
Limits) 
(MPA) 
(MPA) 
(MPA) 
2010 
31,797 
31,900 
11,300 
4,300 
2020 
35,100 
35,100 
11,800 
5,100 
2030 
36,500 
36,500 
13,600 
6,500

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
 
 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 95 
 
Figure 4-20:  El Mirage location map

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
 
 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 96 
Figure 4-21 shows the current land use planning map for El Mirage with an 
overlay of the Luke Air Force Base airport related zoning. 
 
 
Figure 4-21:  El Mirage land use planning map

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 30 
Table 3-11:  Plan integration history and future strategy for El Mirage 
Plan Integration Over the Past Plan Cycle: 
El Mirage has a COOP plan that is currently under revision as well as the 2015 Plan. Capital 
Improvement Plans (CIP) have been established for mid- to long-range planning for public 
safety and were developed with reference to the 2015 Plan. 
Cooperation within the organization has continued to be strong with incorporation of the 2015 
Plan into communications between Public Safety and Public Works, on how services can be 
improved based on the CIP, the COOP plan, and public safety. 
Plan Integration Strategy for Next Five Years: 
Planning Mechanism 
Description of Planning Mechanism Opportunity 
City of El Mirage General 
Plan, CIP programs, and 
Council Goals 
The El Mirage general plan provides long-term guidance to 
the Cities growth. Development of the general plan and 
council goals setting are elements that are informed by either 
reference or incorporation of the risks, goals and mitigation of 
the actions within the projects of the hazard mitigation plan.

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 31 
Table 3-11:  Plan integration history and future strategy for El Mirage 
City of El Mirage General 
Plan, CIP programs, and 
Council Goals 
The City of El Mirage is consciously aware of the future 
needs that are not limited to the items below. The City of El 
Mirage has either updated each of these items or are 
concurrently working towards an update. 
•
Comprehensive or General Plans
•
Stormwater Master Plans
•
Capital Improvement Programs
•
Regional Plans (Transportation, Land Use, etc.)
•
Emergency Operations/Response Plans
•
Community Wildfire Protection Plans
•
Development Plans
•
Development Guidelines and/or Regulations
•
Ordinance Updates or Revisions

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 314 
Table 6-1-6:  Legal and regulatory capabilities for El Mirage 
Regulatory Tools 
for Hazard 
Mitigation 
Description 
Responsible 
Department/Agency 
CODES 
•
El Mirage City Code
•
2006 International Building Code
•
2006 International Fire Code
•
2005 National Electric Code
•
1997 Dangerous Building Code
•
2006 International Fuel Gas Code
•
2006 International Energy
Conservation Code
•
1997 Uniform Administrative Code
•
City Clerk
•
Building Department
•
Fire Department
•
City Clerk

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 315 
Table 6-1-6:  Legal and regulatory capabilities for El Mirage 
Regulatory Tools 
for Hazard 
Mitigation 
Description 
Responsible 
Department/Agency 
ORDINANCES 
•
Chapter 19
- Off Site
Construction
•
Chapter 30.28 - Emergency
Purchases
•
Chapter 30.65-30.70 - Civil
Preparedness and Disaster
•
Chapter 33 - City Court
•
Chapter 34 - Police and Fire
Department
•
Chapter 50 - Water Supply System
•
Chapter 51 - Sewers
•
Chapter 52 - Sanitation
•
Chapter 53 - Storm Water Quality
Protection
•
Chapter 90 - Nuisance and
Neighborhood Preservation
•
Chapter 94 - Air Pollution
Regulations; Dust Control
•
Chapter 96 - International Fire Code
and Alarm Systems 
•
Chapter 150 - Building Code – 2006;
International Plumbing Code – 2006;
National Electrical Code – 2005;
International Mechanical Code –
2006; Dangerous Building Code –
1997; Mobile and Manufactured
Housing Standards; International
Energy Conservation Code – 2006;
International Fuel Gas Code – 2006;
Uniform Administrative Code- 1997.
•
Chapter 153 - Floodplain
Management
•
Chapter 154 - Zoning Code
•
Section 21-5-13 Floodway
overlay
•
Section 21-5-14 Floodplain
overlay
•
Section 21-5-15 Airfield Impact
overlay
•
Chapter 155 - Subdivisions
•
Engineering
•
Finance
•
City Manager
•
Municipal Judge
•
Police Department
•
Public Works
•
Code Compliance
•
Fire Department

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 316 
Table 6-1-6:  Legal and regulatory capabilities for El Mirage 
Regulatory Tools 
for Hazard 
Mitigation 
Description 
Responsible 
Department/Agency 
PLANS, 
MANUALS, 
and/or 
GUIDELINES 
•
2003 General Plan
•
2008 Emergency Action Plan for El
Mirage Employees
•
El Mirage Emergency Operations
Plan
•
Engineering General Notes &
Guidelines
•
Maricopa Association of
Governments (MAG) Standards
•
District Flood Control Standard
•
Planning Department
•
Human Resources
•
Fire Department
•
Engineering
•
Maricopa Association
of Governments
•
Maricopa County
Flood Control
STUDIES 
•
Flood Insurance Study by Flood
Control District of Maricopa County
•
Floodplain Study by Flood Control
District of Maricopa County
•
Dam Safety Study by Flood Control
District of Maricopa County
•
Maricopa County
Opportunities for Expansion/Improvement: 
The City of El Mirage has a comprehensive master plan as well as local codes the assist in 
our mitigation efforts. Our mitigation efforts could be enhanced by working with surrounding 
jurisdictions to assist on regional mitigation hazards. We could also utilize internal peer 
review to assess the mitigation plan and needs. 
Table 6-2-6:  Technical staff and personnel capabilities for El Mirage 
Staff/Personnel Resources 
 
Department/Agency - Position 
Planner(s) or engineer(s) with 
knowledge of land development 
and land management practices 
 Community Development Director, City Engineer, 
City Planner 
Engineer(s) or professional(s) 
trained in construction practices 
related to buildings and/or 
infrastructure 
 City Engineer, Engineering Technicians, Building 
Official 
Planner(s) or engineer(s) with an 
understanding of natural and/or 
human-caused hazards 
 City Engineer, Building Official, Fire Chief 
Floodplain Manager 
 City Engineer 
Surveyors 
 City Engineering & Public Works staff 
Staff with education or expertise 
to assess the community’s 
vulnerability to hazards 
 City Engineer, Building Official, Fire Chief,

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 317 
Table 6-2-6:  Technical staff and personnel capabilities for El Mirage 
Staff/Personnel Resources 
 
Department/Agency - Position 
Personnel skilled in GIS and/or 
HAZUS 
 City GIS Technician, Information Technology 
Director 
Scientists familiar with the 
hazards of the community 
Emergency manager 
 Fire Chief, Police Chief 
Grant writer(s) 
 City Grants Coordinator 
Opportunities for Expansion/Improvement: 
The City of El Mirage could enhance the Emergency Management Division by creating a 
budget to provide a full time Emergency Manager. This would allow a full time effort to 
address and constantly review the mitigation needs. 
Table 6-3-6:  Fiscal capabilities for El Mirage 
Financial Resources 
Accessible or 
Eligible to Use 
(Yes, No, Don’t 
Know) 
Comments 
Community Development Block 
Grants 
Yes 
Capital Improvements Project 
funding 
Yes 
Authority to levy taxes for specific 
purposes 
Yes 
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric 
service 
Yes 
Impact fees for homebuyers or new 
developments/homes 
Yes 
Incur debt through general obligation 
bonds 
Yes 
Incur debt through special tax bonds 
Yes 
Other 
Opportunities for Expansion/Improvement: 
The City of El Mirage can pursue FEMA mitigation grants and other grant programs to fund 
future mitigation actions and projects that address hazards impacting the city. The grant 
funds can be used to match with mitigation priorities planned into the city’s capital 
improvements program and other city departmental public outreach budgets. The city will 
also continue the use of creative public and private sponsorships and partnerships (e.g. – 
IGA’s, MOUs, etc.) that can also assist in funding future mitigation needs, actions and 
projects, and especially those that require a regional, multi-jurisdictional approach (area 
drainage master plans for example).

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 438 
Table 6-8-6:  Mitigation actions and projects and implementation strategy for El Mirage 
Mitigation Action/Project 
Implementation Strategy 
ID 
No. 
Description 
Hazard(s) 
Mitigated 
Community 
Assets 
Mitigated 
(Ex/New) 
Estimated 
Cost 
Priority 
Ranking 
Planning 
Mechanism(s) for 
Implementation 
Anticipated 
Completion 
Date 
Primary Agency 
/ Job Title 
Responsible for 
Implementation 
Funding 
Source(s) 
1 
Review building permits for compliance with 
Floodplain Ordinance and NFIP regulations. 
Flood 
Both 
Staff Time 
High 
Permit Review 
Ongoing 
City of EL Mirage 
FBLS, Building 
Official 
General Fund

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 439 
Table 6-8-6:  Mitigation actions and projects and implementation strategy for El Mirage 
Mitigation Action/Project 
Implementation Strategy 
ID 
No. 
Description 
Hazard(s) 
Mitigated 
Community 
Assets 
Mitigated 
(Ex/New) 
Estimated 
Cost 
Priority 
Ranking 
Planning 
Mechanism(s) for 
Implementation 
Anticipated 
Completion 
Date 
Primary Agency 
/ Job Title 
Responsible for 
Implementation 
Funding 
Source(s) 
2 
Review zoning ordinances prohibiting new 
development in 100-year floodplain on an 
annual basis. 
Flood 
Both 
Staff Time 
High 
None 
Ongoing 
Planning & 
Zoning / Director 
General Fund 
3 
Take active role in multi-agency plan and 
actions for flood mitigation (pro-active). 
Flood 
Both 
Staff Time 
High 
MCMJHMP 
Ongoing 
Engineering/Fire/
Public Works / 
Depth heads 
General Fund 
4 
Develop plan to design and install man-made 
flood protection devices where needed. 
 Flood 
Both 
Staff 
Time/UNK 
High 
None 
Ongoing 
City of El Mirage 
City 
Engineering/Fire/
Public Works / 
Dept heads 
General 
Fund/UNK 
5 
Educate the public on actions and resources 
to protect residents that do not have adequate 
ways to cool their homes in the event of an 
Extreme Heat Event through website notices 
and other social media alerts 
Extreme Heat 
Existing 
Staff Time 
High 
Anticipate the event 
and advise 
community through 
social media and 
other, means 
Seasonally and 
as needed. 
City of El 
Mirage/Fire/PD 
General Fund 
6 
Review annually and update as needed, 
existing building codes to manage new and 
existing construction practices and provide 
mitigation for Drought, Flood, and Severe 
Wind. 
Drought, 
Flood, 
Severe Wind 
New 
Staff Time 
High 
Permitting and Plan 
Review 
Annually 
FBLS / City 
Building Official 
General Fund

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 440 
Table 6-8-6:  Mitigation actions and projects and implementation strategy for El Mirage 
Mitigation Action/Project 
Implementation Strategy 
ID 
No. 
Description 
Hazard(s) 
Mitigated 
Community 
Assets 
Mitigated 
(Ex/New) 
Estimated 
Cost 
Priority 
Ranking 
Planning 
Mechanism(s) for 
Implementation 
Anticipated 
Completion 
Date 
Primary Agency 
/ Job Title 
Responsible for 
Implementation 
Funding 
Source(s) 
7 
Maintain collaboration efforts and 
interconnected water system with other water 
purveyors to ensure the community water 
supply in the event of a drought. 
Drought 
Both 
Staff Time 
High 
The City of El Mirage 
has interconnects 
with the City of 
Surprise as well as 
working with EPCOR 
to add an additional 
one.   
Ongoing 
Public Works / 
Director 
General fund 
8 
Participate in multi-agency coordination 
efforts to ensure cooperative plans. 
Multi-Hazard 
Both 
Staff Time 
Medium 
Through continuing 
auto and mutual aids 
agreements. 
Ongoing 
Fire Department / 
Fire Chief / 
Emergency 
Manager 
General fund 
9 
Train First Responders and other select city 
staff in hazard materials mitigation. 
HAZMAT 
 Existing 
Staff Time 
plus 
Training 
Cost 
Medium 
NIMS certification 
Ongoing 
Human 
Resources/depart
ment heads 
General fund 
10 
Recharge groundwater with CAP water to 
ensure the community water supply in the 
event of a drought. 
Drought 
Both 
$100,000 
Medium 
City of El Mirage has 
a CAP subcontract 
and recharges CAP 
water. 
On-going 
Public Works / 
Director 
General fund 
11 
Continue to implement a conservation 
education program to ensure the community 
water supply in the event of a drought. 
Drought 
Both 
Staff Time 
Medium 
Automated Water 
Meter Program 
Ongoing 
Public Works / 
Director 
General fund, 
utility payments 
12 
Provide cool potable water to citizens during 
extreme heat waves.  Dissemination of public 
information regarding hydration station and 
resource locations will be provided via 
website notices and social media 
Extreme heat 
Existing 
$2,000 
Medium 
None 
Seasonally and 
as needed. 
City of El Mirage 
Fire / Fire Chief 
Fire Dept 
Budget

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 441 
Table 6-8-6:  Mitigation actions and projects and implementation strategy for El Mirage 
Mitigation Action/Project 
Implementation Strategy 
ID 
No. 
Description 
Hazard(s) 
Mitigated 
Community 
Assets 
Mitigated 
(Ex/New) 
Estimated 
Cost 
Priority 
Ranking 
Planning 
Mechanism(s) for 
Implementation 
Anticipated 
Completion 
Date 
Primary Agency 
/ Job Title 
Responsible for 
Implementation 
Funding 
Source(s) 
13 
Coordinate mitigation efforts with other local 
agencies that include but are not limited to:  
Luke AFB, Dysart School District, FCDMC 
and others, to I.D. problem areas and plans 
for mitigation 
Multi hazard 
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
None 
Ongoing 
Fire Department / 
Emergency 
Manager 
General fund 
14 
Educate the public on suspected and 
imminent wind shear dangers from 
microburst and other natural wind threats 
through website notices and social media 
alerts.  
Severe Wind 
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
None 
Annually 
During 
Monsoon 
Season 
Homeland 
Security / Safety 
and Emergency 
Management 
Officer 
General Fund 
15 
Provide citizens with warnings and escape 
routes from severe flooding or expected 
flooding. 
Dam Failure 
Existing 
Staff time 
Low 
McMicken Dam 
EAP, 
Waddell Dam EAP  
When 
necessary  
City of El Mirage 
Fire/ PD and 
Public Works. 
General fund 
16 
Participate/Conduct occasional tabletop 
exercises to identify potential mitigation 
measures for increasing response 
effectiveness, such as evacuation route 
marking, and permanent protection measures 
for intended shelters. 
Dam Failure 
Both 
Staff time 
Low 
McMicken Dam 
EAP, 
Waddell Dam EAP  
At least once 
over the next 
five years 
City of El Mirage 
Fire/ PD and 
Public Works / 
Dept heads 
General Fund 
17 
Provide links to the Arizona Department of 
Water Resources subsidence website and the 
Arizona Geologic Survey website as a part of 
a public campaign to raise awareness to the 
hazards and locations of active fissure and 
subsidence locations within the city. 
Fissure, 
Subsidence 
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
None 
FY2021 
City of El Mirage 
/ City Engineer 
General Fund

MARICOPA COUNTY  
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 
2021 
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Page 442 
Table 6-8-6:  Mitigation actions and projects and implementation strategy for El Mirage 
Mitigation Action/Project 
Implementation Strategy 
ID 
No. 
Description 
Hazard(s) 
Mitigated 
Community 
Assets 
Mitigated 
(Ex/New) 
Estimated 
Cost 
Priority 
Ranking 
Planning 
Mechanism(s) for 
Implementation 
Anticipated 
Completion 
Date 
Primary Agency 
/ Job Title 
Responsible for 
Implementation 
Funding 
Source(s) 
18 
Annually coordinate with Federal, State and 
local dam owners to update any changes in 
dam safety conditions on emergency action 
plan information.  
Dam Failure 
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
McMicken Dam 
EAP, Waddell Dam 
EAP 
On-going  
City of El Mirage 
Fire / Fire Chief 
and Public Works 
/ Director 
General Fund 
19 
Work with state and Federal agencies to 
provide disclosure information to all 
potential buyers of real estate that are located 
within the dam failure or emergency 
spillway inundation limits of an upstream 
dam or dams 
Dam Failure
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
City of El Mirage and 
community 
development 
On-Going 
City of El Mirage 
Fire / Fire Chief  / 
City Engineer and 
Community 
Development / 
Director 
General Fund 
20 
land development and public works projects 
will be reviewed for subsidence risk as a 
regular part of the review and permitting 
process. 
Subsidence 
Both 
Staff Time 
Low 
El Mirage 
Community 
Development  
On-Going 
Public Works, 
City Engineer 
General Fund