32nd St Detention Basin ExpansionMEMORANDUM
April 2,2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Federal Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Grant Program
- 32nd Street Detention Basin Expansion
Economic Development Director Bill Baum has prepared a $4 million funding request to
expand the 32nd Street Stormwater Detention Basin with Federal Environmental
Protection Agency State and Tribal Grant Program Funds. This requires a 45% match,
which would come from the City's Stormwater Utility.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
DUBUQUE IOWA REQUEST
Bee Branch Watershed Flood Miti.qation Proiect
Purpose: To limit flooding in Iow/moderate income neighborhoods.
In 1999, an unusually intense spring storm deluged Dubuque with rainfall. The storm
produced in excess of four feet of stormwater in city streets and five feet of stormwater
in basements, and resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Dubuque County.
Flood damage devastated hundreds of homes in the City of Dubuque. At the time of the
flood, the City was in the process of adopting a Stormwater Management Plan. On July
23, 2001, HDR Engineering, of Omaha, Neb., the consulting firm hired by the City to
produce the Stormwater Management Plan, presented its findings to City Council.
One solution is an open waterway proposal for solving the Bee Branch Stormwater
problems. This solution has been controversial, and is therefore, under continuing
study. However, an important segment of the project, not involvin.q the open waterway
concept is not controversial, and will assist greatly in mitigating the problems with the
Bee Branch:
The expansion of the 32nd Street detention basin, at a cost of $4,000,000 would
double the size of the existing basin.
When completed, the basin would reduce peak runoff flows from the 100-year rainstorm
by 69%. This significant reduction will lesson the threat of flood damage to this Iow-
income neighborhood, and assist greatly in solving the problems in the Bee Branch.
The City is requesting an FY04 earmark through EPA's State and Tribal Grant
program "STAG."
The City has approved the establishment of a storm water utility, and therefore the local
match is available for this project.
MEMBER: Congressman Jim Nussle STATE: Iowa
PROJECT NAME: Expansion of 32ND Street Detention Basin
REQUESTED AMOUNT: $1,800,000 Total project cost is $4,000,000
STAG SPECIAL PROJECTS INFORMATION
YES/NO Information
lA. Is the proposed project eligible for a loan from its state's NO
Clean Water or Drinking Wat~ State Revolving Fund?
lB. Have the potential grant recipients applied for an SRF NO
loan?
IC. What priority ranking did the state assign to this project as N/A
a result of that application?
ID. If the community did apply for a loan, how large an SRF N/A
loan did the state determine potential grant recipients
could afford to repay?
How will the requested funds benefit low or moderate
income communities?
Project will reduce the threat of
flood damage in as many as 1150
homes in low to moderate income
neighborhood.
3A. Will the requested funds be used for construction, not debt Yes, the requested funds would
relief?, be used for construction, not
3B. Will this be a one-year request that will move a project debt relief.
into construction? Yes, one request for construction
What is the purpose of the project? Wastewater treatment Flood mitigation, surface water
or drinking water? quality improvements.
What is the estimated average armual user fee as a percent
of the estimated median annual income of households that
will be served by the project without the requested grant funds?
with an SRF loan?
with municipal funding at market rates?
Median household
income in neighborhood
is $20,205, lowest in the
City. Without grant
user fee is $280 yr, with
grant user fee would be
$141/year.
What are the community's plans for providing the The City has established a
expected 45% match? Stormwater utility with a user
fee, and has the match.
7. Does the project serve a broad public purpose or is it This project is an essential
intended for a more limited (or private) purpose that could corporate purpose of the City,
more appropriately by fimded by private party or local not a private purpose.
financing?
o
Does the project address an immediate need or is it
predicated on future growth/development?
This project is an immediate
need, benefiting hundreds of
households in a low/mod income
neighborhood.
F:~USERS\WBaum~Federal Initiatives\STAG request 2004.doc