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Urbandale details stormwater disconnect program, creek projects and progress on FEMA buyouts
Summary
Staff updated council on stormwater priorities from the 2021 drainage study, a homeowner sump disconnect program (88 contacts, 28 in compliance reported), multiple creek and stream projects in design or under construction, and a FEMA buyout application delayed by state processing with a Dec. 21 submission and an expected ~3-month review window.
City staff reviewed stormwater priorities and ongoing creek projects, and provided an update on FEMA buyouts and homeowner outreach programs.
Stormwater: John said the 2021 drainage study focused on areas east of 86th Street, south of Meredith; staff are prioritizing projects to reduce flooding and provide footing-drain or sump-pump connections to disconnect private foundations from sanitary sewer. He reported 88 addresses have contacted the city through the disconnect program; 28 of those were found to be in compliance. Staff described grant-assisted disconnect work to date and said that most activity is expected to ramp up next spring and summer.
Creek and stream work: The city has projects in construction and design in Gulfview Creek and other local areas, with a contractor currently working south of the roundabout and flood-plain improvement work planned in Bent Creek Park. Staff agreed to provide a map/GIS layer to councilors who requested parcel-level detail on where projects and grants are targeting improvements.
FEMA buyouts: John said the FEMA buyout application is with Iowa Homeland Security; the expected program submission deadline given to staff had moved from June to Dec. 21 and staff expect roughly a three-month review after submission. Property owners have been asked if they would voluntarily consider buyouts; some have indicated interest but no offers have been made pending grant approval. When asked about allowable uses after buyout, staff said the federal program requires the land be maintained as green space and limits future uses.
Ending: Staff will provide maps and a timeline for the buyout application process once state/federal actions progress and return with a clearer picture of grant awards and the resulting property impacts.
