Committee backs staff-recommended alternative for Providence Trails drainage study, 5-0; residents press for bigger fixes

The Appleton City Utilities Committee voted 5-0 to recommend pursuing public infrastructure improvements described as Alternative 3 in the Providence Trails drainage study, following a detailed staff presentation and public comment from residents who reported basement flooding and property damage.

DPW staff presented three modeled alternatives and a staff recommendation. Deputy Director Neuberger summarized the alternatives and the revised modeling after the city added an additional impacted residence to the model. "DPW staff recommend that the Utilities Committee and Common Council approve DPW to pursue public infrastructure improvements for alternative 3 for construction in 2026, dependent on stormwater capital account 5,230 funding and the time necessary for DPW to develop engineering plans in a bid package as well as to obtain any permits needed," Neuberger said.

The three alternatives and their stormwater-utility estimated public-side costs were summarized by staff as follows:

- Alternative 1: Public infrastructure limited to replacing up to 14 yard drain inlet castings designed to higher-capacity (stool type) castings; includes potential private property improvements at homeowners' discretion; estimated public cost about $25,000.

- Alternative 2: Extensive upsizing and new storm sewer conveyance (1,800 lineal feet upsize on Fall Creek Lane, additional 480 feet and 460 feet of upsized/new piping), and a dry pond flood storage area on the south side of Apple Creek Trail (park department land); replaces up to 14 yard drain castings; estimated public cost about $1,600,000.

- Alternative 3 (staff recommendation): Right-of-way, easement, and lot improvements including 164 lineal feet of yard drain lead upsize, 460 lineal feet of new 24-inch storm sewer from Providence Avenue to Apple Creek, the same dry pond on the south side of the trail, and replacement of up to 14 yard drain castings; estimated public cost about $330,000.

The staff recommendation emphasized that implementing Alternative 3 would not preclude future implementation of additional mitigation measures described in Alternative 2 or homeowners pursuing private improvements. DPW staff also noted the Northland Bel Air drainage study (ongoing) will conclude in 2026 and could influence priorities and timing of other stormwater projects.

During public comment, multiple neighborhood residents described repeated basement flooding and property damage. Diane Albrecht, who said she lives at 3229 East Fall Creek Lane, told the committee: "Right where that water stops just before Providence Avenue is a berm. The berm is like a dam for the water and I have photos from the day after showing where the wood chips reached only a certain height on that berm and then the water all diverted back into our yards." Tom Raessler said he and contractors had not found a reliable, private fix for repeated basement flooding and that he had about $15,000 in damage from earlier flooding.

Residents asked whether diverting water to the south-side diversion pond could be a less expensive fix; staff said that directing more flow to the south side would require upsizing pipes on that south side and that a high-level estimate for doing so reached approximately $1.6 million, roughly equal to Alternative 2. Staff cautioned that diverting flow without increasing downstream capacity could cause unintended impacts. "Any attempt to direct more water to the storm sewer system to the residents on the south side of the trail would need to be mitigated by upsizing those pipes," Deputy Director Neuberger said.

Alders on the committee expressed sympathy for residents and noted citywide flood priorities and funding constraints. Alder Sherry Hartzheim said staff had heard elected officials’ concerns that, given citywide needs, it was prudent to recommend the less-costly Alternative 3 at this time while preserving the ability to pursue larger projects later.

A motion to advance Alternative 3 was moved and seconded; Alder Heffernan was recorded as seconding the motion. The committee voted unanimously in favor, 5-0. The committee chair said the recommendation will go to the Common Council next week for the final vote. Staff flagged the recommendation as dependent on stormwater capital account 5230 funding, engineering plan and bid package development, and permit approvals before construction in 2026.