Ironton City Council will have the first reading of Ordinance 15-23, approving and adopting the countywide natural hazards mitigation plan prepared by the URS Corporation, if the county commissioners vote to pass the plan at their Thursday meeting.

“The ordinance is a response action to a hazardous natural disaster if that were to occur,” Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said. “The commissioners have to pass it before we do.”

The plan will minimize and reduce storm water damages to existing structures and land use in order to maximize the protection of public health, safety and welfare and identify and develop revenue sources to complete the goals and objectives. It fulfills the mandates of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and requirements of FEMA and the Ohio EMA. The needs of Lawrence County would also be met.

The Mitigation Planning Core Group would be made up of county representatives, municipalities and stakeholder organizations, would meet at least once a year and would have a plan prepared to protect the people and reduce damages caused by natural disasters.

Blankenship said the plan used for the county is the same as the plan that would be used for Ironton and the county’s other villages and he is hopeful the county commissioners will pass the plan so Ironton City Council can do the same.

The council meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. in the council chambers on the third floor of the city building.