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Dubuque seeks FEMA BRIC funding for $15.1M Bee Branch flood‑mitigation project
Summary
City staff approved submission of a FEMA BRIC grant to fund larger storm sewers and conveyance improvements for the 17th Street and West Locust corridors as part of the Bee Branch watershed project; the proposed project total is $15.1 million with a 75% FEMA share, 10% state, and 15% city match.
City engineers recommended and council approved filing a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant application to help fund stormwater improvements in the Bee Branch watershed, focusing on the 17th Street and West Locust corridors.
Assistant city engineer Bob Schissel explained the application targets three segments (A, B and C) that together produced a benefit‑cost ratio above the FEMA threshold (BCA ≈ 1.17). The proposed project would upsize underground storm sewer conveyance to capture and convey urban runoff to the lower Bee Branch, reducing repeated street and vehicle flooding in the corridor.
Engineers summarized proposed funding: FEMA BRIC 75% ($11,325,000), state 10% ($1,510,000) and city local cost share 15% ($2,265,000), for a total project cost of $15,100,000. Staff said portions of the project already have capital funding in the FY27–30 CIP; a successful BRIC award would free local stormwater dollars to be reallocated to other flood‑prone areas such as Kaufman or upper 17th/Locust segments not included due to BCA thresholds.
Council members praised staff for pursuing the grant and asked technical questions about the corridor and prior video documentation of flooding; staff said a compelling video of recent events was used in the grant submittal.
Council voted to adopt the resolution approving the grant application submission (7–0).
