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Board moves to pursue phased southwest stormwater project, first phase ~$1.02M
Summary
After a consultant outlined flooding and failing pipes on Brady Street, the board voted to pursue a phased stormwater project that consultants estimated would cost about $1.02 million for phase 1 and roughly $3 million for the full gray alternative; staff will pursue grant funding.
The Board of Works and Safety voted to move forward with a phased stormwater project aimed at chronic flooding in the city's southwest drainage area, including Brady Street and its collectors. The board's motion followed a presentation describing deteriorated storm sewers, missing connections and sections of older infrastructure the consultant said were "rendered ineffective." "The total cost for all that would be a little over 3,000,000," the presenter said when summarizing the full-system estimate.
Consultants described a recommended "gray" plan composed of new storm sewers sized to handle a 10-year, 2-hour storm, with inlets and a larger outbound trunk where needed. They proposed phasing to match grant and city funding: phase 1 was scoped as a targeted section along Brady from Pine to Sycamore with inlets and connectors; the presenter gave its construction estimate as "$1,023,973." The consultant also told the board the city could pursue a roughly $700,000 grant that typically requires about a 10% local match. "We could get $700,000 from OCCR," the presenter said of the grant opportunity.
Board members asked about alternatives, maintenance and whether open ditches would be closed during construction; the consultant said alternatives that rely on green infrastructure were less attractive because of heavier maintenance obligations and the potential for sediment and trash to reduce function. After questions about phasing and budgeting, a board member moved that the city "move forward with this project," the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The consultant left copies of the report with the city and said next steps would include coordinating with the grant administrator and the city council on match commitments and project scope.
The motion to proceed was made by Board member Smart and seconded by Mayor Grama; the motion passed with board members indicating "Aye." The board did not vote on final design or contract awards at the meeting; staff said design, bidding and construction would follow the grant timeline if the city applies in December and awards are announced in February.
