Fredonia authorizes Stantec watershed plan after securing Fund for Lake Michigan grant

The Village Board authorized a contract with Stantec to develop a village-wide watershed and stormwater plan, moving forward after the village secured a $75,000 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan.

Administrator Jenkins explained the scope and timeline: the Stantec work will include data review, supplemental data collection, alternatives development and recommendations, and delivery of a full assessment expected to conclude in December of next year. Jenkins said Stantec’s full contract is $85,000 and that Stantec has committed to assist the village in applying for the remaining $10,000; "we obtained a grant, $75,000 from the Fund for Lake Michigan to conduct a, stormwater analysis and planning project throughout the village," Jenkins told the board.

Trustees asked whether parts of the project could be completed by Public Works staff to reduce cost; Jenkins said the scope of services (in the packet) identifies deliverables and that staff may be able to assist with some supplemental data collection depending on the needs. Jenkins said Stantec could scale back alternatives and recommendations if the $10,000 gap is not secured but that Stantec was confident in its ability to help find the money.

A motion to approve the Stantec watershed plan proposal was made and seconded; trustees voted in favor and the motion passed, enabling staff to sign the contract and begin work. The contract is expected to increase the village’s ability to compete for future grant funding by documenting watershed weaknesses and recommended projects.

Next steps: Stantec will begin work per the contract scope; staff will coordinate with Stantec on any tasks that can be done in-house to reduce cost and will bring deliverables back to the board as specified in the scope of services.