Sanitary district reports flood response, plant capacity and event plans; board approves $983,594 in claims

Rick Conrad, District Administrator, told the Board of Sanitary Commissioners on April 16 that heavy rain earlier in April produced a brief flood crest that will increase cleanup costs and that the district is continuing a long-term control plan to reduce combined sewer overflows.

The update came as the board approved its April 2 minutes and a register of claims totaling $983,593.96 and discussed possible revenue effects from recently enacted state legislation described in the meeting as “Senate Bill 1.”

The district recorded roughly 4 inches of rain between April 4 and April 7, Conrad said, and the river gauge rose from a normal level of about 4 feet to a crest near 12.5 feet. He credited the engineering staff, and specifically Tom Noble in the engineering department, for preparation and response. "They were available all weekend day and night to respond to any floods or backup calls," Conrad said.

Conrad said the district will face additional expenses to remove waterlogged woody debris — "branches, logs" — left along the levee that must be cleared to allow mowing and levee maintenance. He told the board the debris is heavy and paid for by weight, and that…