Title
Resolution to Petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner to Design and Construct Stormwater Controls in the Allen Creek Drainage District at the E. Stadium Bridges Project to Reduce Downstream Flooding and Improve Water Quality (Total Cost: $1,094,059.40; City's Apportionment: $1,051,391.08)
Memorandum
Attached for your approval is a resolution to petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (WCWRC) to undertake a project to design and construct stormwater controls in the Allen Creek Drainage District at the E. Stadium Bridges Project.
The E. Stadium Bridges Project spans two different watersheds: Allen Creek (46%) and Malletts Creek (54%). As a result, two separate petitions to the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner are required.
The Allen Creek Initiative identified construction of stormwater control measures within the creekshed as a high priority to control water quantity and improve water quality during storm events. The Allen Creek Initiative was launched in 2007 and is a collaborative effort with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, the City of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Allen Creek Advisory Committee. Its goal was to identify, prioritize and select stormwater management projects that would reduce flooding and improve water quality in Allen Creek.
Much of Allen Creek is contained in underground piping that carries stormwater runoff from the urban core of Ann Arbor. Nearly 44% of the land draining to the creek is impervious, and as a result, stormwater frequently enters the creek too quickly, causing localized flooding during rain events. These rain events also carry pollutants from impervious areas to the creek, lowering water quality. Allen Creek falls within the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) area of the Huron River. The goal of the TMDL is to remove 50% of the phosphorus and E. coli from storm water.
The E. Stadium Bridges Replacement Project is currently scheduled to begin construction this Fall. It is the City and WCWRC's intent to include stormwater controls as a part of the bridge project. This project will provide needed detention and improves downstream water quality and quantity. It is estimated that 2,746 lbs of total suspended solids (TSS) and 2 lbs of phosphorus per year per acre of the upstream drainage area will be removed from the creek, as a result of stormwater control features being installed during the bridge construction project.
Stormwater controls include underground detention with infiltration. The resolution authorizes repayment of the low interest loans for this project from the Storm Water Fund (Fund 0069).
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 construct the detention system and other 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 the stormwater portion of this project is estimated at $1,094,059.40. The cost has been approved for a low interest (2.5%) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. The City's apportionment of this drainage district is 96.1% of the district. Therefore, the City's share will be $1,051,391.08.
As the Drain Commissioner will be assessing the City over a maximum of 20 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 Drain Commissioner will be paid over the financing period, with installments not to exceed $66,857.00 per year.
Staff
Prepared by: Jennifer Lawson, Water Quality Manager
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, There is a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for phosphorus and E. coli reduction within the Huron River;
Whereas, Allen Creek Drainage District is within the area covered by the phosphorus and E. coli TMDLs;
Whereas, The Allen Creek Initiative has identified the construction of stormwater controls within the creekshed as a high priority to control water quantity and improve water quality during storm events;
Whereas, The City Council intends to file with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for a petition to clean out, relocate, widen, deepen, straighten, extend, tile, interconnect, or otherwise improve the E. Stadium Bridge portion of the county drain known as 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 the Stadium Boulevard 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 $1,051,391.08, plus interest) will be paid in twenty annual installments not to exceed $66,857.00/annum from the Operations and Maintenance Budget of the Stormwater Fund (Fund 0069), beginning upon project completion.