Greeley moves to accelerate downtown stormwater work; staff proposes 20% stormwater rate increase

City staff told the council on Wednesday that the city will pursue an accelerated schedule for downtown stormwater projects and is procuring a program‑manager/general‑contractor (PMGC) model to speed design and construction. Staff also presented a modeled 20% stormwater utility‑rate scenario that would support bonds and capital work in the downtown core. Why it matters: downtown flooding has caused repeated local impacts and staff said accelerating key outfalls is essential to reduce near‑term risk and align stormwater work with planned downtown development. Staff highlighted two outfalls — the Seventh Street and Twelfth Street outfalls — that must be conveyed beneath the Union Pacific Railroad main line and that are critical to reducing localized flooding in the downtown and adjacent low areas. What staff told council: Paul (presentation lead) said the PMGC procurement is posted and is intended to shorten delivery schedules and capture contractor‑side efficiencies during design. The PMGC will be asked to coordinate the major downtown improvements and help align stormwater infrastructure with planned projects such as the new Judicial Center and other developments. Staff outlined a prioritized project list for 2026–2035 and emphasized that the Twelfth Street and Seventh Street outfalls need railroad crossings under the Union Pacific main line. Paul said those outfalls will likely require very large diameter pipes (the presentation described "likely 72‑inch" trunk pipes) and that the city is aligning design and schedule so the railroad work can be done only once. Funding and rates: staff presented a rate model that begins with the adopted 2025 rate and shows a modeled 20% increase for 2026 to support a bond issuance and construction. The slide deck compared Greeley’s stormwater fee position to peer communities and noted many peers raised rates in 2024–25; staff said the modeled 20% rate would place Greeley near the regional median under 2025 comparators. Staff said once a rate increase is adopted, it will take a year to collect and then support bond financing in 2026. Council reaction and schedule: Council members asked technical questions about the railroad permitting schedule, construction duration for the railroad crossings, and details of the PMGC delivery model and accountability. Paul said the city expects railroad permitting and coordination to extend through the autumn schedule in staff projections and that pipe‑installation techniques (tunneling, jacking, bore methods) will determine actual construction durations. Staff said the detailed schedules will be refined after PMGC onboarding and during design. Next steps: staff asked council for feedback on the procurement approach and presented the schedule for PMGC selection. Staff will refine costs and the fiscal model as PMGC, designers and Union Pacific coordination clarify the work. No rate or appropriation was adopted at the work session; staff signaled the rate discussion will continue as part of upcoming budget work sessions.