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Council hears $55K estimate to GIS-map stormwater network after state deadline
Summary
Hooper City engineer told council the state requires the city to have its stormwater system GIS-mapped by 2026; an initial mapping estimate is about $55,000 (staff previously thought $80,000), and council discussed using existing budget lines or competitive bids to fund the work.
Hooper City Council received a technical briefing from City Engineer Taylor Stauffer on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) obligations and the need to GIS-map the city's stormwater infrastructure by the state's 2026 deadline.
Stauffer said roughly 10% of stormwater assets are currently mapped and the state denied a phased-extension request, requiring the city to complete mapping by 2026. He reported an updated cost estimate of about $55,000 (down from an earlier estimate of about $80,000) to complete the mapping and explained the likely field methodology: walking streets with GPS to locate manholes, catch basins and open ditches, then importing the data into the city's GIS.
Stauffer warned the council the state could impose fines if the city does not show progress toward compliance; however, he said regulators often work with municipalities that can demonstrate a documented effort. Council members discussed funding options including reassigning existing impact-fee budget lines (line 2344-5060 was noted as a possible source) or issuing an RFP to seek competitive bids. Concerns were raised about whether the engineering firm that manages the city's stormwater program should perform the mapping or whether the city should solicit bids from firms with prior mapping experience.
Council asked staff to investigate funding sources, clarify whether the general services agreement covers this scope, and return with firm cost proposals and a recommended procurement approach. Stauffer said he could provide a per-unit (manhole/catch basin/mile-of-ditch) cost proposal within about a week.
Next steps: staff will determine whether existing budget lines can be repurposed, prepare a more detailed cost-per-unit bid option, and return with procurement recommendations and schedule to accomplish mapping in spring or fall when field conditions are favorable.
