Committee advances resolution to pursue Corps partnership for Little Blue study

The Public Works Committee voted to forward resolution 2026-7631 to the full City Council, authorizing the mayor to sign a letter of support and finance staff to document the city's fiscal viability and legal authority to acquire real estate as part of pursuing a project partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Little Blue River Flood Risk Management Study.

Forrest Binger, City Engineer, told the committee the study has been under way for about four years and that recent Corps policy changes raised the bar for the project-delivery milestone (the Chief's Report/30% plan). Binger said the federal approach has shifted the technical threshold and the city is refocusing the project scope toward ecosystem restoration for a segment of the watershed rather than pursuing a larger, roughly $700 million full-watershed mitigation program that staff concluded would not meet timing requirements.

Binger emphasized the resolution does not create a financial obligation at this stage and is intended to secure the Corps' command validation milestone and retain potential federal participation (he cited that the Corps could cover up to 65 percent of construction costs if the project advances). Committee members discussed broader strategic options including engaging congressional members to revisit program rules; members asked whether other cities in the study are affected by the Corps rule change and Binger said some municipalities would not be able to participate under the revised delivery rules.

A motion to advance the resolution to full council passed by roll call: Chair Prior — aye; Vice Chair Raider — aye; Councilmember Carlyle — aye. The resolution will return to council for final action.