New Iberia finalizes ARPA-funded drainage cleanout, outlines maintenance plan and detention-pond timeline
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Summary
Council approved a certificate of substantial completion for an ARPA-funded major drainage cleanout and discussed maintenance, upcoming engineering for a detention pond and related capital funding.
The New Iberia City Council voted to approve a certificate of substantial completion for the American Rescue Plan Act-funded major drainage cleanout project in Area D and discussed follow-up maintenance and forthcoming drainage projects funded through capital outlay.
Council and staff said the city spent about $1 million of ARPA funds to clean canals in four different sections inside the city. The mayor said that effort cleared “the main arteries” and that additional capital — a $500,000 capital outlay allocation for drainage already available and an expected $4,000,000 next year — will fund larger projects.
Staff described the cleanout work as removing trees, debris and sediment; in some locations crews reshaped channels and graded banks to reestablish proper drainage contour. The mayor said the city will develop a maintenance plan so the benefits of the ARPA-funded cleanout are sustained and not lost to future neglect.
The council heard an update on a detention pond project. Staff said the project is near completion of core permit processes, with one remaining archeological study expected to take a few months; once cleared, about $3 million in funds would become available for construction. The mayor said he would return with a recommendation for a maintenance contract for larger canals and the city’s engineer will solicit bids for anticipated work.
Council members also approved other infrastructure items on the agenda that the mayor and staff characterized as complementary to drainage improvements: a change order for the Pepperflex Access Road (to improve exit/entrance safety around the ballpark) and a certificate of completion for the Pollard Street sewer replacement; bids and contract awards for road and sewer materials were also approved.
Ending: Council approved the certificate of substantial completion and asked staff to return with a maintenance plan and engineering updates for the detention pond once the remaining permit steps are complete.