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West 32nd Street Detension Basin Loan_State DocumentTHE CITY OF Dubuque a DUB E Masterpiece on the Mississippi m 2007 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: West 32nd Street Detention Basin, State Revolving Loan Funds, State Environmental Information Document DATE: April 30, 2008 City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending approval of the State Environmental Information Document as a prerequisite for the use of State revolving loan funds for the construction of the West 32"d Street Detention Basin. concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. ~~ ~ Mi hael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer THE C[TY OF DuB E MEMORANDUM Mastezpiece on the Mississippi April 29, 2008 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Mana FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer _ SUBJECT: W. 32"d Street Detention Basin, State Revolving Loan Funds, State Environmental Information Document INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memo is to request that the City Council authorization the Mayor to sign the attached State Environmental Information Document as a prerequisite for the use of state revolving loan funds (SRF) for the construction of the W. 32nd Street Detention Basin Project. BACKGROUND In November of 2006, the City Council approved the use of State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loans for the West 32nd Street Detention Basin project. The interest rate for General Obligation (GO) bond financing was estimated to cost 4.5% for 20 years. The terms for the use of SRF is only 3% interest plus a .25% annual servicing fee. Therefore, the City will save an estimated $2.8M on debt service over the life of the borrowing relating to the Stormwater Basin Master Plan improvement projects. DISCUSSION Prior to authorizing the City of Dubuque to proceed with the construction of the W. 32"d Street Detention Basin project, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources performs an assessment to outline the environmental impacts of the project. They have almost completed the process. One of the final steps is to require the Mayor to sign the attached State Environmental Information Document. Engineering staff has reviewed the document and believe that "the project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed (within) are accurate and complete to the best to (the Engineering staff's) knowledge." RECOMMENDATION I recommend that the Mayor sign the attached State Environmental Information Document acknowledging that to the best of his (and City staff's) knowledge "the project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed (within) are accurate and complete" as required by the IDNR for the City's use of SRF for the construction of the W. 32nd Street Detention Basin Project. ACTION TO BE TAKEN I respectfully request that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached State Environmental Information Document for the W. 32nd Street Detention Basin Project. Prepared by Deron Muehring cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Jenny Larson, Budget Director Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II STATE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT PROJECT IDENT/F/CAT/ON Applicant: City of Dubuque Project No.: CS192341 01 West 32nd Basin County: Dubuque State: Iowa COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Location: The City of Dubuque is located in Dubuque County approximately 90 miles east of Waterloo, Iowa and 70 miles north of Davenport, Iowa. Population: The population of Dubuque according to the 2000 US Census was 57,686. System Background: In December of 2001, the Dubuque City Council formally adopted a stormwater planning study titled "Drainage Basin Master Plan" prepared by NDR Engineering. According to the study, approximately 1,150 homes and businesses in the Bee Branch watershed are at risk of flood damage. Located in the north portion of the city, the 1.9 square mile drainage area to the existing West 32"d Street Detention Basin makes up 26.7% of the Bee Branch watershed. Expansion of the existing West 32"d Street Detention Basin was identified as a project that would reduce the threat of flood damage. Simultaneously, this project will reduce infiltration and inflow of the sanitary sewer during and following heavy rainfall events by reducing the rate at which stormwater is discharged from the detention system. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Purpose: The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the stormwater management system which will consequently reduce inflow and infiltration in the sanitary sewer system to better safely and reliably operate the City of Dubuque's wastewater system for at least the next 20 years. Proposed Improvements: The proposed improvements include constructing a storm water detention basin to alleviate flooding as well as inflow and infiltration of the sanitary sewer system during and following heavy rainfall events. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Alternatives Considered: Enlargement of the existing detention basin was considered as an option to constructing an additional cell. The option of including a permanent pool for sediment capture was considered as was the option of creating a meandering stream for the purposes of maintaining a low flow conduit from the inflow structure of the new cell to the outflow structure. Reasons for Selection of Proposed Alternative: The No-Action alternative is not viable due to the current risk to human health and safety posed by flooding and by sanitary sewer backups/malfunctions due to stormwater infiltration and inflow. As evidenced by engineering calculations, the two-celled system will discharge at a slower rate than the single celled system even during extremely large rainfall events; this will assist in achieving the larger goal of reduction of infiltration and inflow in the sanitary sewers. As the existing detention basin has had problems with sedimentation, the option of creating a permanent pool for sediment capture and removal in the new cell was selected. The option to create a meandering stream for the purposes of maintaining a low EID Page 2 City of Dubuque CS192341 01-West 32nd Basin flow conduit from the inflow structure of the new cell to the permanent pool was selected on the basis that it will be anon-eroding channel. The project site was selected on the basis of engineering criteria such as topographic slopes, existing stream location, needed volume capture, and the ability to incorporate a permanent pool and meandering stream into the project. MEASURES TAKEN TO ASSESS IMPACT: Public Involvement: A public hearing was held on March 25, 2008 at 6:30PM at Dubuque City Hall. The public notice of this hearing was published in the Telegraph Herald on February 20, 2008. The purpose of this hearing was to present the environmental and financial impacts of the proposed improvement project. No written or oral objections were received. Coordination and Documentation With Other Agencies and Special Interest Groups: The following Federal, state and local agencies were asked to comment on the proposed project to better assess the potential impact to the environment: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers State Historical Society of Iowa Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Iowa DNR Water Resources Section Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe Delaware Tribe of Indians Flandreau Santee Sioux Ho-Chunk Nation Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Lower Sioux Indian Community Council Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Omaha Tribal Council Osage Tribal Council Otoe-Missouria Tribe Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Prairie Island Indian Community Sac & Fox Nation of Mississippi in Iowa Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma Santee Sioux Nation Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Spirit Lake Tribal Council Three Affiliated Tribes Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nations Upper Sioux Tribe Winnebago Tribal Council Yankton Sioux Tribal Business and Claims Committee EID Page 3 City of Dubuque CS192341 01 West 32nd Basin No irresolvable objections were received from any agency or the general public. Conditions placed on the applicant by the above agencies in order to assure no significant impact are included in the Summary of Reasons for Concluding No Significant Impact section. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY Construction: Above normal noise levels in the vicinity of the construction equipment can be anticipated during construction and should be a temporary problem. Temporary air quality degradation may occur due to dust and fumes from construction equipment. Traffic patterns within the community may be disrupted during construction. Adverse environmental effects from constructian activities will be minimized by proper construction practices, inspection, prompt clean up, and other appropriate measures. Areas temporarily disturbed by the construction will be restored. Care will be taken to maintain dirt to avoid erosion and runoff. Adverse environmental impacts on air and noise quality will be handled by limited hours of contractor work time during the day and the reduction of dust problems by wetting as necessary. Solid wastes resulting from the construction project will be regularly cleared away with substantial efforts made to minimize inconvenience to area residents. HistoricaUArchaeological: The State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) and various Native American tribes with an interest in the area were provided information regarding the project. Prior to the City applying for to the State Revolving Fund, the United States Army Corps of Engineers acted as the Lead Federal Agency for Section 106 consultation with SHPO. As part of that consultation, a Memorandum of Agreement among the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Dubuque, and the SHPO was executed November 16, 2007 to address the impact of this project on historic properties, specifically, the Gary A. Anderson House, which must be demolished in order to appropriately size the additional detention cell to accomplish its purpose. The Memorandum stipulates appropriate formal recordation of this property. By abiding by these terms, the over all effect of this project on archeological or historic properties is not significant. Environmental: While consultation with the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet been concluded, it is believed that the proposed project will not interfere with any State- owned parks, recreational areas or open spaces The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concurs that the project will not negatively impact wetlands; in fact, this project will create new wetland habitat. The project will not impact any wild and scenic rivers as none exist within the State of Iowa. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service concurs that the project will not impact threatened or endangered species or their habitats. According to the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section, this project will not significantly impact the 100-year floodplain provided that a Floodplain Development Permit is obtained and the terms of which will be abided by. No adverse impacts are expected to result from this project, such as those to surface water or groundwater quality or quantity, water supply, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats. Land Use and Trends: While a few houses will be purchased and demolished to ensure adequate area for the detention basin, the project will not significantly displace population nor will it significantly alter the character of the remaining residential areas. The proposed project is within the present corporate limits of Dubuque in areas zoned primarily as residential. No significant farmlands will be impacted. This project should not impact population trends as the presence or absence of existing water/sewer infrastructure is unlikely to induce significant alterations in the population growth or distribution given the myriad of factors that influence development in this region. Similarly, this project is unlikely to induce significant alterations in the pattern and type of land use. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources: Fuels, materials, and various forms of energy will be utilized during construction. EID Page 4 City of Dubuque CS192341 01 West 32nd Basin POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT Positive environmental effects will be a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of flooding within the Bee Branch watershed. This project will also reduce the rate of flow of stormwater discharge from the existing detention basin; reducing the volume of discharge during heavy rainfall events will reduce infiltration and inflow in the sanitary sewer system downstream. Infiltration and inflow can cause a human health and safety hazard if the additional flow is sufficient to hydraulically overload the sanitary sewers and subsequently cause basement backups or other releases of untreated sewage. SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT • The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of population. • The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies. • The project will not adversely impact wetlands; in fact new wetlands will be created. • The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats: • The project will not impact farmlands. • According to the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section, this project will not significantly impact the 100-year floodplain provided that a Floodplain Development Permit is obtained and the terms of which wilt be abided by. • While a few houses will be purchased and demolished to ensure adequate area for the detention basin, the project will not significantly displace population nor will it significantly alter the character of the remaining residential areas. • While consultation with the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet been concluded, it is believed that the proposed project will not interfere with any State-owned parks, preserves, recreational areas or open spaces • The project will not have a significant adverse effect on the recognized historic property, the Gary A. Anderson House, by means of compliance with a Memorandum of Agreement stipulating appropriate formal recordation of this structure. • The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality, local ambient noise levels, surface water or groundwater quality or quantity, water supply, fish, shellfish, wildlife, and their natural habitats. The project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed above are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. .u ~ ~~ Sigrfatur f the Mayor, City of Dubuque Date Roy D. Buol Printed Name of the Mayor, City of Dubuque