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Public works seeks 10-year IGSA with USAFA to accelerate Monument Creek habitat and stream restoration
Summary
Richard Malady, the city—s public works director, asked City Council to approve a 10-year intergovernmental support agreement with the U.S. Air Force Academy to speed delivery of stream-restoration and habitat projects in the Monument Creek watershed.
Richard Malady, the city—s public works director, asked council to approve a 10-year intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) to streamline delivery of stream-restoration and habitat projects within the Monument Creek watershed.
Malady said USAFA receives roughly $1.3 million annually in federal funds for natural-resources projects (largely to address habitat needs such as for Preble—s meadow jumping mouse). Since 2017 the city—s Stormwater Enterprise has worked with USAFA on individual IGSA projects and delivered them more efficiently by using the city's contracting and project-management capacity. Malady told council the joint approach reduced delivery overhead from roughly 30% loss per project to a fraction of that amount and proposed a longer-term 10-year agreement so both partners can plan multiple projects without separate agreements for each.
Malady outlined a 2023 restoration master plan that identified 42 high-priority projects affecting tributaries that run through the Academy; although USAFA comprises about 12% of the watershed acreage, the Academy captures about 75% of the flow volume into Monument Creek, creating shared downstream effects for the city. Malady described recent projects (Mahomet Branch Phase 2, Black Squirrel Creek and other tributary restorations) as examples of collaborative progress.
Council members asked about recent storm impacts and the performance of the city's stormwater system; Malady reported the system had been resilient during recent heavy rain events and said damage had been mostly localized inlet flooding or county-road impacts outside city jurisdiction. Councilmembers asked about intergovernmental collaboration with Monument and El Paso County and discussed the role of the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District as a forum for regional coordination.
Council asked staff to place the IGSA resolution on the consent agenda for the upcoming regular meeting. No formal vote to approve the IGSA was recorded during the work session; council directed staff to include the item on consent for formal consideration.
Speakers quoted in this story: Richard Malady, Public Works Director.
