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Dardenne Prairie aldermen debate change order to stabilize creek near Stump Road; staff urge wider stormwater study
Summary
A proposed $25,000 contractor change order to stabilize a creek adjacent to Stump Road prompted aldermen and the new city administrator to debate whether a downstream engineering study is needed after residents warned the road project could increase runoff.
A proposal to approve a contractor change order to repair and stabilize a creek bed beside Stump Road drew concern from residents and city officials during the Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen meeting on Nov. 6.
The RBA introduced by Alderman Gittermeier and Alderman Wilson would authorize a change order tied to the Stump Road project to address erosion behind homes in the Darden Acres subdivision and downstream into Canvas Cove, according to remarks during the meeting. Speaker 4 described a previously approved $22,000 downstream study from 2021 that "never happened," and residents said that redirecting stormwater from new curbs, additional pavement and sidewalks could concentrate flows into the creek.
City administrator Kathleen cautioned the board that the contractor proposal "is not a fully engineered solution" and called the $25,000 measure an "expensive quick fix, in my opinion, dollars 25,000." She recommended a comprehensive stormwater study instead, and suggested the topic be included in the Nov. 20 Board work session on the FY25 budget to consider funding for longer-term solutions.
By contrast, Speaker 1 told the board that multiple engineering reviews had characterized the additional volume of runoff as "insignificant," and staff said prior engineering firms and reviewers from agencies including MoDOT had concluded the increase would not materially change downstream flows.
Legal and property questions also arose. Board members and staff noted the city cannot undertake work on private property without easements and cautioned the change order lacked warranties and downstream guarantees.
No formal action was taken. Board members agreed to continue the discussion at the upcoming work session and to seek cost and scope estimates for a downstream study before committing public funds to the contractor change order.
Next steps: the board planned to place stormwater planning and budget consideration on the Nov. 20 work session agenda and asked staff to provide a scope and cost estimate for a downstream study and for any engineered stabilization alternative.
