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Stormwater manager outlines scoping progress, costs and staffing challenges
Summary
Stormwater staff reported underground drainage scoping (22% inlet inspections, 8% piping) and identified custom manhole locks and inlet repairs costing roughly $25,000–$50,000 each; staff said two large items—Tanglewood Bridge and the county study—could raise 2026 stormwater expenditures to about $5 million.
Stormwater program manager Elizabeth briefed the council on scoping progress, budget pressures and operational constraints for the stormwater enterprise fund.
Elizabeth said the city established the program (fee collection began after 2010) and that current underground scoping has identified about 22% completion of inlet inspections and 8% of pipe inspections; staff are targeting a scoping window of 25 miles to avoid repeated change orders. She said crews are finding paved‑over manholes that must be exposed and, in some cases, full manhole reconstruction. Staff described custom manhole locks and inlet replacements estimated at $25,000–$50,000 per item because of local fabrication requirements. Elizabeth said the current budget excludes two forthcoming items—a Tanglewood Bridge rehabilitation (~$1,000,000) and a city share of the county drainage study (~$375,000)—and that inclusion of those could put 2026 stormwater expenditures near $5,000,000, leaving a $3.6 million shortfall under conservative revenue projections.
Council members asked about fee structure, hiring for street‑sweeper operators, non‑CDL equipment options and the timeline to fill positions. Staff said five positions are posted and that they are coordinating with fleet to acquire non‑CDL sweepers to broaden the applicant pool. Council asked staff to provide photographs and documentation when seeking rate increases so residents can see infrastructure conditions.
Elizabeth said staff will return with fee‑schedule recommendations and additional project details for council consideration.
