[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6250916,"mediaKeyId","3197700-ccfa1ab80de9e689066dd3a9a8ec3172","parentId",3197700,"title","Public works outlines stormwater program: inspections, off-site options and basin maintenance study","audioSeconds",4345,"startMs",1977500,"endMs",6322690,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197700-ccfa1ab80de9e689066dd3a9a8ec3172&start=1977&end=6322","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197700-ccfa1ab80de9e689066dd3a9a8ec3172/thumbnail_1977500.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6250916/Manhattan/Riley/Kansas/Public-works-outlines-stormwater-program-inspections-off-site-options-and-basin-maintenance-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250916-9643d28282980891da945d4666bac2d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170444&Signature=SRkje4IIbPADPOjPh9WyBPWsoZq0~YuEKT1xXgqSXl8lK~1w5SuiTBMeFxX8KyOduvJnzTtFb6XVqg7zOL4GWXDEjnnQmE-bJESITIVKbHLlAzExY40GkuLY6v6tinL0lEeyvZRHb6oNT2GRsknqzvSgh8A9DQ~E6UVq6xHFec81ZXHsQ2G4Vj3rcR43JDKwcuu6FaaKkD9BjDuO2ZMd3yHAsbdb~INVC6yZ0kzBv8He-4~dHTwJx8HOLGN0-cYyEw7MwsmoHUE3lS1tns1~bqg5QkW2JXLwU40V-US9FJaOEI~AHC8KEJrDZOxOatvnF0vvKpgD37XzWJA4rWPBmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Manhattan, Kansas","date","2025-04-23T15:27:13Z","article","Wyatt Thompson, interim public works director, told the City Commission on April 20 that Manhattan’s stormwater program is organized into four buckets — neighborhood drainage systems, detention systems, water‑quality controls and floodplain management — and that staff are moving toward two short‑term deliverables: an inspections program for privately maintained detention basins and development of an alternative off‑site post‑construction BMP (best management practice) compliance program.

Thompson said the city adopted updated stormwater management criteria in 2023 and is now collecting feedback to amend and clarify certain submittal requirements. He described the neighborhood drainage work (inlets, pipes, swales and easements), the detention program (dry and wet ponds and underground storage) and the water‑quality program required by the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit administered through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Bill Heatherman, stormwater compliance engineer, described enforcement tools and inspection practices for construction‑site erosion controls. “We strive to get voluntary compliance and have a good relationship with the builders,” Heatherman said, adding that the city can issue notices of violation, abate noncompliant controls and, in extreme cases, seek stop‑work orders or municipal court action but that those remedies are time‑consuming.

Thompson said detention is required for sites of 0.4 acres or greater when there is an increase in impervious area; post‑construction water‑quality BMPs are required for developments of 1 acre or more (or parcels that are part of a common plan of development). Staff reported there are roughly 107 privately maintained detention basins and 17 underground systems within the city. Thompson said staff plan to inspect privately maintained basins beginning this fall to create an inventory, document maintenance needs and identify basins that may require city assistance or capital repairs.

On water quality, staff described a proposed alternative off‑site compliance program modeled loosely on Wichita’s program. Under the model, developers could voluntarily enroll and pay a fee based on treated impervious area; the city would use those fees to fund agricultural conservation practices (cover crops, no‑till, other best practices) in targeted upstream areas and take credit for pollutant reductions to satisfy KDHE water‑quality obligations. Thompson and Bill Heatherman said KDHE had been consulted informally and gave positive feedback on the concept; staff plan to return with a detailed proposal for commission consideration later this year.

Commissioners asked about enforcement strength when builders do not comply with temporary erosion controls; Heatherman reiterated inspection cadence and existing ordinance authority, and said the city can abate noncompliance and put costs on tax rolls if necessary. Commissioners also questioned funding and scope. Thompson said the stormwater utility funds program operations and capital planning but does not cover every development obligation; staff noted the city’s stormwater operating budget is roughly $4 million per year.

Staff outlined next steps: finalize recommendations from the detention‑basin maintenance study begun in 2023, launch basin inspections this fall, advance the alternative off‑site water‑quality program for KDHE review and amend the city’s stormwater management criteria and Manhattan Development Code for clarity. Commissioners voiced general support for staff to continue developing the alternative off‑site water‑quality program and to proceed with inspections and follow‑up reporting to the commission.

Ending: Staff will return with proposed ordinance language, an off‑site program proposal for KDHE approval, and a basin‑inspection report that lays out costed options for corrections and maintenance responsibilities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Manhattan City Commission Work Session 04/22/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Interim public works director Wyatt Thompson and the stormwater team briefed the commission on four program areas — neighborhood drainage, detention, water quality and floodplain management — and sought direction to pursue an alternative off-site water‑quality compliance program and basin inspections.","taxTitle","Manhattan, Riley, Kansas","taxId",4219,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6250921,"Commissioners back RFP to make Blue Earth Plaza water feature safer and usable",480,36110,516490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197700-ccfa1ab80de9e689066dd3a9a8ec3172&start=36&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197700-ccfa1ab80de9e689066dd3a9a8ec3172/thumbnail_36110.jpg","/articles/6250921/Manhattan/Riley/Kansas/Commissioners-back-RFP-to-make-Blue-Earth-Plaza-water-feature-safer-and-usable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250921-e07330412957062c0a3b4d3218389a11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170444&Signature=Xl1-3wtoRKlCtdcGi5vJe6Hw2ozmTdvamKKDLQaFQ2HkQwYmT0tF~-Zg6bYs4EhvyHY~ysCyuZtFsQz5EF~RU50NJhu3qFngoyt6WQwY1JNKP4ah3Yoou1fwSQU5bWDgEuvbXFRYfeSNdlOFTqHpiP5quZrCeviZD4w-UPbPnN9QIkOlvfdKpmMVngD-BNrjXmPkphpBjni-RM6uR~MAW0bZatWkhSMtNKaF6CUukH1a3qoB~yhsHUfVz7F56hRb8Mk7D6BrOvAfZak6UMePw4g4o8MoMh~Py7yLwgBcSzSptyRR8PZVxSXP4uglvdA1vfRykehk50a0FD2lh~Utag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aaron Stewart, Manhattan parks and recreation director, told the City Commission on April 20 that the Blue Earth Plaza’s shallow water feature was designed as a decorative water feature, not as a pool or splash pad, and that its current use presents safety and maintenance problems. The commission gave staff consensus to issue a request for proposals to pursue an interim renovation to reduce hazards and keep a playable water element available.

The issue matters because the feature has been used by children as a wading area and splash element, while the installation’s original materials and detailing have deteriorated. Stewart said Midwest Public Risk, the city’s insurer, concluded the feature’s “unintended use” and open water created a “significant drowning hazard,” and recommended either covering the feature or reducing depth and access. Stewart told commissioners the feature has exposed bolts, slippery stepping stones and glass pebbles that have required repairs and a river-bottom replacement to address fragmentation.

Staff proposed a two-step approach: an interim fix intended to last roughly five to seven years and a later permanent redesign. The interim design would infill the stream channel with 24-inch square pavers, remove the stepping stones and boulders, replace laminar jets with illuminated directional jets (less prone to wind failure), replace deteriorated trench grates and jet lids, and run water under a grate or grid system so the stream is not accessible by foot. Stewart gave an estimated interim cost of $278,000 and said the construction timeline would move from final design and bidding in May and June to a July start and completion in the fall, weather permitting.

For the permanent concept, staff showed a more extensive renovation designed to create a true splash-pad experience with very shallow play areas (about 1 inch or less in the stream), textured boulder seating, illuminated bubblers, a floating granite sphere, terraced concrete seating, plasma pavement replacement and treatment system upgrades. Stewart said the conceptual cost for the full long-term redesign is roughly $1.3 million and that the plan is being considered in the capital improvement planning horizon (targeted for 2030 on the draft plan).

Staff identified a funding source for near-term work: the South End Transportation Development District (TDD) has a current balance of about $535,000. Jason (staff) explained a TDD is a half‑cent sales tax district that has been in place on the South End since about 2010 and is authorized to pay for public infrastructure in that district, including Blue Earth Plaza items listed in the district plan. Commissioners asked about restrictions on TDD spending; staff confirmed the South End TDD plan lists specific public infrastructure eligible for funding in that area (parking garage, Third and Fourth streets, Blue Earth Plaza and surrounding parking and Discovery Center site).

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives if the commission delayed the project this year. Stewart said the immediate fallback would be to secure the feature with tasteful barriers, run the south-end spray features independently from the stream, and leave the stream dry; that approach would keep people out but eliminate water play for the season. Several commissioners said they preferred an interim mitigation that preserves some water play over full closure. Commissioner comments emphasized the need for both risk mitigation and preserving a usable water element through the remainder of summer and early fall.

The commission voiced support for staff to proceed with procurement: Mayor McCullough asked for public comment, asked whether there was consensus to proceed with an RFP for the interim work, and the commission responded in the affirmative. (No separate formal ordinance or appropriation vote on construction contracts was taken at this meeting; staff said a contract would be brought forward for commission approval once bids are received.)

Stewart also raised related plaza concerns: the adjacent park lawn used for events has suffered heavy wear and required a $16,000 resodding project in January. He asked for feedback about exploring artificial turf or redesigning the event area to add permanent pads for food trucks and more durable surfaces to reduce annual repair needs. Commissioners asked about drainage and the need to design a subsurface and appropriate electrical hookups if turf and hard pads are installed; staff said cost and drainage details are not yet specified and would be part of later planning.

The commission’s next step is to authorize staff to solicit bids for the interim Blue Earth Plaza mitigation and return with contract documents and a formal contract for approval. If the commission approves a contract, Stewart estimated three to six weeks of construction once began (architect estimated three to four weeks, but staff will incorporate weather days into schedules) and a ribbon‑cutting in the fall. The South End TDD balance described by staff is sufficient to cover the interim estimate but additional approvals will be required before any contract is awarded.

Ending: Staff said they will develop construction documents this month, put the interim work out to bid in May, seek contract approval from the commission in June and aim to begin construction in July for fall completion. Formal appropriation or contract award will return to the commission for approval once solicitation and bid results are in.","City staff presented safety-driven interim fixes and a longer-term redesign for the Blue Earth Plaza water feature after insurer warnings about unintended splash-pad use; commissioners gave consensus to pursue a contractor solicitation and use South End TDD funds.","actionData","errors"]

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Public works outlines stormwater program: inspections, off-site options and basin maintenance study

Commissioners back RFP to make Blue Earth Plaza water feature safer and usable