Cole County presents annual stormwater update; approves $62,998 supplemental engineering agreement for South Brooks project

Cole County stormwater staff delivered the county's annual municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) update and the commission approved a $62,998 supplemental engineering agreement for the South Brooks Drive stormwater improvements project.

In the update, county stormwater staff said the program fulfills an MS4 permit administered through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as part of the federal Clean Water Act. "We documented 26 calls related to storm water, and all these are investigated," the staff member said, summarizing last year's service activity. The presenter said routine activities reported to DNR included public outreach, inspections and street sweeping; the county reported 27 miles of sweeping last year and conducted multiple site inspections of active public infrastructure projects.

The nut of the meeting focused on several ARPA-funded and CDBG-funded projects west of Jefferson City. Staff described two large-area studies that led to specific projects in Apache Flats, Natchez Trace/Bender Lake and Westview Heights. Projects under design include a stormwater diversion channel near Bender Lake, a detention basin on property associated with Pioneer Trail School, and a detention basin at an old sewer lagoon in Westview Heights. Staff said some projects are in design and require regulatory approvals; because of permitting and easement work the county shifted some ARPA funds into smaller, ready-to-build spot improvements such as work on Bridal Village Drive and Galena Drive, and a Glenstone Court/Drive project that is under construction.

Commissioners also considered supplemental agreement No. 2 with Bartlett West, in the amount of $62,998, to cover revised legal descriptions, easement-packet preparation and added design and construction-phase services required by the CDBG grant. Staff said the project has an approved CDBG grant for $500,000 and that construction is estimated at about $900,000; engineering and related costs raise the total project estimate to roughly $1.1 million. "CDBG requirements add administrative steps and documentation that increase engineering costs," staff said, describing additional tasks such as cultural resources review and tribal notification.

Commission discussion noted the number of easements required ("about 60 or so, give or take") and that the county is already authorized to begin easement acquisition. Commissioners approved supplemental agreement No. 2 by voice vote with no recorded dissent.

Staff reminded residents that county responsibility covers public pipes, inlets and county-maintained outlets; property owners remain responsible for drainage that leaves the county system and for work in creek channels, which may require U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits. Staff warned against dumping grass clippings or debris in creek channels, saying such practices can cause blockages and erosion.

The county said it will update facility stormwater pollution prevention plans and spill prevention and countermeasure plans for bulk fuel sites in the coming year and will resume required annual employee training that was not completed last year.

The commission took the supplemental agreement approval as a separate agenda vote and authorized the engineering supplement to proceed; staff said remaining ARPA funds will be applied to other stormwater projects still in design.