Title
Resolution to Accept a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant and Appropriate Funds from FEMA for a Project to Create an Opening in the Railroad Berm to Reduce the Floodplain of Allen Creek ($3,085,550.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a grant agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to accept a Hazard Mitigation Grant for 75% of the flood mitigation portion of a project to design and construct railroad berm openings at the outlet of Allen Creek.
Stormwater Background
In 2007, City Council approved a Flood Mitigation Plan:
One of the recommendations of the Flood Mitigation Plan was to study the Allen Creek railroad berm:
Mitigation Objective Project 51: Railroad Berm Fill Removal Examine ways to remove the berm located between Depot St. and the Huron River, as well as other portions of the railroad berm in the Allen Creek corridor, to allow floodwater to travel to the river without a major barrier impeding the flow, acting like a dam. Examine the costs of creating a terraced rail system. Compare costs estimates to complete project with the estimated costs of removal/relocating structures that may be outside of the floodplain if the berm is removed.
The railroad berm is oriented perpendicular to the overland drainage flow pattern of Allen Creek and causes the floodplain depth in this area of the City to be as deep as 10 feet. Upstream of the influence of this berm, flood depths are more typically in the 3 to 5 foot range.
In December of 2013, the City and its consultant, OHM-Advisors, completed a Feasibility Study to determine if it was possible to create openings in the railroad berm to accommodate passage of floodwaters and to allow pedestrians to cross safely under the railroad to get to the park facili...
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