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Council awards $500,000 feasibility task order to study St. John's stormwater basin; residents warn of downstream impacts
Summary
The council approved a $500,000 task order to Geosyntec Consultants to study flows in the St. John's stormwater basin; public commenters said shifting runoff could worsen flooding and water-quality issues in the Upper St. John's and surrounding farmland.
Titusville City Council approved, as part of the consent agenda on June 10, Task Order GEOT004: a $500,000 award to Geosyntec Consultants to provide a feasibility study and preliminary engineering design report evaluating water flow within the St. John's Stormwater Basin. The task order was described in the agenda as a consultant engagement to evaluate flows and preliminary designs for stormwater improvements.
Staff and grant context: City staff said the funding for the study was obtained with assistance from St. Johns River Water Management District and related grant partners; Kevin Cook noted the study area has changed considerably since an earlier 1960s-era stormwater plan and that modern hydraulic modeling and engineering practices are necessary to evaluate current conditions and solutions. Cook said Geosyntec has completed two related projects in the basin and offers modeling expertise that could speed the study.
Public concerns: Several residents raised concerns during public comment that shifting stormwater to the St. John's River could worsen flooding and existing water-quality impairments in the Upper St. John's watershed. Ruth Amato and others described recent high-water events on farmland and mentioned multiple impairments in the Upper St. John's (including dissolved oxygen, nutrients and bacteria) cited in material they referenced. Residents urged the council to ensure the study addresses both quantity and water-quality effects and to vet conceptual proposals before any design or construction.
Technical caveats from staff: Kevin Cook said older master plans from the 1960s do not reflect subsequent development and that modern modeling is required; he said the study would produce conceptual opportunities, cost estimates and timing but would not design final projects. Staff noted that proposed improvements would need to address both storage and water-quality requirements and that any project shifting water toward the St. John's River would need permitting and, likely, mitigation measures.
Outcome: Council approved the task order as part of the consent agenda; the consent agenda passed unanimously. Staff said the consultant will use modern modeling and will incorporate community concerns into the study scope.
