Title
Resolution to Petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner to Improve the West Park Fairgrounds Drain in the Allen Creek Drainage District ($1,922,000.00) (Roll Call Vote Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your approval is a resolution to petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (WCWRC) to undertake a project to make structural stormwater improvements to the section of underground concrete stormwater pipe in the Allen Creek Drainage District known as the West Park Fairgrounds Drain.
The West Park Fairgrounds drain consists of 2200 lf of 54" underground pipe, 1200 linear feet (lf) of 66" concrete pipe, and small amounts of 30", 42" and 72" pipe. The majority of pipe is old, corrugated metal pipe (CMP). In 2009, the City identified that the pipe was cracked and corroded in several areas and as such, included the project on the City's Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). The City hired Down Under Municipal Services, LLC to televise the entire drain to get a more accurate assessment of the pipe conditions and to refine the estimate in the CIP.
The video of the drain confirmed cracks and breaks in many areas along the length of the pipe causing infiltration of groundwater, as well as pipe blockage from excessive debris. Cleaning and structural lining of the pipe will improve flow, eliminate infiltration and prolong the life of the pipe. This method of repair is also more cost effective and less intrusive than full pipe replacement.
A formal petition from the City is required to move this project to construction. Allen Creek is an established Chapter 20 County Drain. Therefore, the work to repair the pipe and other stormwater control measures falls under the jurisdiction of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner. As an established drain, the costs of the project are assessed to the governmental entities within the drainage district area. The total cost of this project is estimated at $2,000,000.00. The City's apportionment of this drainage district is approximately 96.1% of the district. Therefore, the City's share will not exceed $1,922,000.00
As the Water Resources Commissioner will be assessing the City over a maximum of 15 years for this project, the City will not have to expend the full cost of this project at the time of construction. Rather, the reimbursement of the Water Resources Commissioner will be paid over the financing period, with installments not to exceed $15,200.00 per year. The first payment is included in the approved Storm Water Fund budget for FY 2011 and subsequent payments will be included in the annual stormwater budget submittals. The resolution authorizes the annual payment to the County for this project from the Storm Water Fund (Fund 0069) pending annual budget approvals by Council.
Staff
Prepared by: Molly Wade, Water Quality Manager
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The West Park Fairgrounds Drain is part of the Allen Creek Drainage District;
Whereas, City staff have identified the need for structural improvements to the West Park Fairgrounds Drain;
Whereas, The structural improvements will prolong the life of the underground infrastructure and improve the integrity of the stormwater system;
Whereas, The City Council intends to file with the Water Resources Commissioner for Washtenaw County a petition to clean out, relocate, widen, deepen, straighten, extend, tile, interconnect, or otherwise improve a portion of the county drain located along Dexter Road near Veteran's Park, known as the Allen Creek Drain pursuant to Section 482 of Chapter 20 of the Drain Code of 1956 (MCL 280.482);
Whereas, It is the desire of the City Council to have the Mayor and Clerk sign and file the necessary petition with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner; and
Whereas, A suggested form of such petition is now presented to the City Council;
RESOLVED, The City Council hereby determines to proceed with the proposed drain project for the Allen Creek Drain Drainage District as more fully described in the petition attached hereto as Attachment 1;
RESOLVED, The Mayor and Clerk be hereby authorized and directed to execute such petition for and on behalf of the City and to file the same with the Water Resources Commissioner of the County of Washtenaw;
RESOLVED, The City Council hereby consents to the location of the proposed clean out, relocation, widening, deepening, straightening, extending, tiling, interconnecting or otherwise improving a portion of the Allen Creek Drain within the limits of the City and the assessment of a portion of the cost of such improvements, so located, against the City; and
RESOLVED, That the assessment (approximately $2,000,000.00) will be paid in fifteen annual installments not to exceed $15,200.00/annually from the Stormwater Fund (Fund 0069) Operating Budget, beginning in FY2011, pending annual budget approvals by City Council.