Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Debris Basin topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears design and funding options for Neffs Canyon debris basin; SID could place costs on 488 parcels
Summary
City staff described a 30%‑design debris basin to reduce flood risk, estimated construction impacts and costs, and presented a local match requirement of about $5.3M with an option to form a Special Improvement District affecting 488 parcels (preliminary estimate ~$10,800 per parcel).
Storm Water Operations Manager Aaron Roberts briefed the Council on a proposed Neffs Canyon debris basin designed to be built below grade to limit visual impacts and restore native vegetation at the site. Roberts said the current design is roughly 30% complete and estimated excavation of about 70,000 cubic yards of material—roughly 5,000 truckloads—over an anticipated three‑ to six‑month construction period. The project would include about one mile of new stormwater pipeline, coordinated roadway work, and potential expansion of Forest Service parking and restroom facilities. If FEMA approves the mitigation, staff said the basin could remove 488 parcels from the FEMA floodplain, which would eliminate mandatory flood insurance requirements for mortgage‑holders on those parcels.
Roberts told the Council the project has secured about $24 million in federal and state grants (including roughly $21 million from FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance program and $3 million for design) but that Millcreek must cover an estimated $5.3 million local match. Staff presented formation of a Special Improvement District (SID) as one funding option that would allocate the local match across the 488 benefited parcels; the preliminary estimate would mean about $10,800 per parcel (approximately $1,078 annually over a 10‑year repayment). Roberts said staff has applied for a grant‑window extension and that construction is expected in 2027 or 2028 if funding and FEMA approval proceed. City Attorney John Brems noted the city would likely need to borrow up front because contractors will not accept 10‑year payments from a district; Council and staff also flagged ongoing maintenance obligations after construction that are not included in the SID estimate.
Public commenter Kyle Taft addressed the Council during public comment and warned of potential resident burdens if an SID is pursued, asking whether residents could face a “double dip,” paying both flood insurance and an SID fee. The Council did not vote on formation of an SID at this meeting; staff said they will hold property‑level outreach, required FEMA NEPA meetings, and additional open houses before decisions are made or any ballot measures are prepared.
