Council approves more funding to complete Golden Eagle impoundment flood-control work

The Fountain Hills Town Council approved additional funding for CIP project D6057 to finish the Golden Eagle impoundment and complete repairs and infrastructure work for Golden Eagle Park. Staff described the request as significant but necessary to finish a project that protects downstream areas from flooding and to correct issues discovered during construction.

Public works and project staff told the council the work began as a flood-control project and later required additional infrastructure remediation because the park's original design did not accommodate the needed flood-control capacity. The project team said some unforeseen field conditions — including variations in depth encountered when potholing reclaimed-water mains — required additional mechanical fittings and alignment work.

Council members discussed source of the additional dollars. Staff and finance clarified that $100,000 would come from unspent funds in the recently completed Panorama Park project and $200,000 would come from remaining contingency in the town's capital projects fund — a combined $300,000 discussed during the meeting. Finance staff said the contingency transfer was the last available amount in capital and that the project team would return if further funding were required. Vice Mayor Larrabee moved to approve the additional funding; Councilwoman Gail Earl seconded the motion. The council approved the funding 6-0.

Staff said the project is close to substantial completion but that more work remained and encouraged the council to approve the funding to keep the project moving toward final completion.