Clean water division outlines stormwater master plan, rebate programs and flood infrastructure changes

Patrick Bean, the city’s clean water program administrator, presented stormwater and sanitary utility planning, private‑property protection and rebate programs at the Aug. 4 work session. Bean said his division — previously the sewer enterprise division — has about 10 staff and focuses on long‑range planning, public education and project development. Bean described two homeowner rebate programs: a private‑property protection program that supports backflow valves and sump pump disconnection in neighborhoods where infiltration and inflow overload sewers, and a stormwater best management practices (BMP) rebate program for rain barrels, rain gardens and permeable pavers. He said the city identified about 15 priority stormwater projects totaling roughly $125,000,000 and also identified about $700,000,000 in deferred maintenance across the system; four of the priority projects are in design. Operational initiatives cited include more proactive televising and inspections to identify high‑risk sewers and sewersheds, a stormwater infrastructure advisory committee that includes residents such as Gloria Hoffman, and a change in a flood closure at George Flagg that replaces a manually installed panel closure (6–8 hours to install) with a roller gate that can be closed in about 30 minutes to improve operational flexibility. Bean said some projects are coordinated with Polk County (Brook Run) and other suburbs where grant funding and easement work are required. The presentation was informational and intended to describe priorities and funding needs; staff noted many items require further design, budgeting and interagency coordination before formal council decisions.