The O'Fallon Public Works Committee on May 5 recommended approval of a $2,314,811.10 contract with Hank's Excavating and Landscaping Inc. for the North Cherry Street improvement project, which staff said will address repeated neighborhood flooding.

City staff described the work as a package of drainage improvements at three problem locations, construction of a stormwater detention pond to reduce runoff release rates from the project area, replacement of existing water mains with new PVC pipe, and full mill-and-overlay of subdivision roadways. "So in this area, there is 3 locations where there's flooding that occurs. So there'll be a lot of drainage improvements ... a stormwater detention pond is gonna be built there in order to mitigate any additional runoff that would occur with the improvements," staff said.

Staff said construction is expected to start in summer and be completed within the same construction season, targeting roughly Thanksgiving for completion. The project cost listed in the agenda is $2,314,811.10 based on bid unit prices.

Residents asked about downstream effects. One resident said the work affects water that currently flows through their backyards and asked whether they would "see a decrease in the water levels in our backyard because of that". Staff replied the detention pond will reduce the release rate from the project area and "in turn, would mean it would lessen it downstream," but added the broader downstream hydrological impacts were not analyzed as part of this specific design.

Ward 3 Councilor Vern Malaire asked whether the planned facility was a retention or detention pond; staff clarified it is a detention pond ("it's a detention pond ... it's gonna come in at a lower level, fill up, and then drain out"). Staff said they would provide an exact depth from the plans at a later date on request.

The committee voted to move the item forward to the full City Council; roll call in committee recorded affirmative votes by Carney, Van Hook, Hudson, Rosenberg and Myler and the staff recommendation moved forward.

Ending: Staff will provide requested details such as pond depth to the council or residents on request; construction timing remains summer start and completion within the construction season.