City Seeks Contracts for Stormwater Consulting; Orders Assessment of Failed Detention Pond

Public works and stormwater staff told the council on Oct. 16 they plan to execute contracts with Integrated Science & Engineering (ISE) for on‑call stormwater consulting and for a condition assessment and retrofit analysis of a failed detention pond.

Amanda Madore Hallower, the city’s stormwater manager, said the city has used ISE for NPDES Phase I MS4 compliance work and that the firm helped prepare the city’s stormwater master plan. Staff recommended a one-year on‑call contract not to exceed $50,000 (with up to three renewals) to support miscellaneous stormwater engineering and compliance tasks.

Staff also asked the council to approve a standalone task order for ISE to survey and evaluate a failed stormwater detention pond on Shambladoun Way in the Longview neighborhood. That pond, which the city inherited from DeKalb County after annexation, has apparently failed from years of inadequate maintenance and is contributing to downstream flooding complaints, staff said. Staff proposed a condition assessment and retrofit analysis (not-to-exceed roughly $24,000) to determine design records, current condition and a path to restore the pond’s function.

Council members discussed broader questions about detention best practices, above-ground versus underground storage, and public communication to residents about stormwater impacts. Staff said the city’s stormwater ordinance has been updated over the years and that the division is working to build in‑house capacity while using consultants for specialized tasks.

Council did not take final contract action at the work session; staff will return contract documents for formal approval on the consent or business agenda, staff said.