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Council approves $500,000 city share for Covington Creek bank stabilization, contingent on easements
Summary
Council accepted the Drainage Advisory Committee recommendation to expend $500,000 toward stabilizing erosion along a Covington Creek tributary; total construction cost estimate is about $1.2 million and the work is contingent on adjacent property owners signing drainage easements.
Broken Arrow city staff and the council agreed to move forward with bank stabilization work along a tributary to Covington Creek after receiving the Drainage Advisory Committee’s recommendation. City staff recommended the city accept expenditure of $500,000 toward construction, contingent on adjacent property owners agreeing to and executing drainage easements.
Sarah Walters, stormwater project manager in the city’s engineering and construction department, presented the Covington Creek Bank Stabilization Project and said the work is intended to address erosion along the creek bank. Walters told the council the case was first reviewed by the committee in 2020 and that the project required a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit that the city executed on April 17 of this year.
City staff said the total construction cost estimate is approximately $1.2 million, with the Forest Ridge Homeowners Association expected to provide part of the funding and the city contributing $500,000. Walters said staff and the drainage advisory committee recommended council approval of the expenditure to move the project into construction contract phase, pending execution of easements by adjacent homeowners.
Public comment and council discussion Two residents spoke in favor. One resident, Joe Robson, told the council the erosion problem “has existed for 50 years” and thanked the council for considering the allocation. Council discussion noted the creek’s historic movement and the development pattern that left homes in or adjacent to an older channel. Council members stressed the need to protect public infrastructure and sewer assets in the area.
One councilor asked whether staff had reached homeowners who could not attend the neighborhood meeting; Walters said staff had met with most property owners and that one homeowner had not yet been met with but that the majority supported the project.
Motion and outcome A councilor moved to accept the DAC recommendation to expend funds for the Covington Creek bank stabilization project, and the motion carried. The award/contracting process will follow completion of easement agreements and final procurement steps.
Why it matters City staff and council framed the project as necessary to stop progressive erosion that threatens private property and public infrastructure. Because the channel was altered historically and houses now sit near the old channel, staff said the project balances private property, homeowner association participation and protection of city utilities.
Ending Staff and the drainage advisory committee will continue outreach to remaining property owners and will return with required easement documents and contract documents once the conditions (signed easements) are met.
