Dubuque Levee and floodwall Certification_PAL Progress Report #6Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque Levee and Floodwall Certification - PAL Progress Report #6
DATE: March 14, 2011
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is transmitting the City of Dubuque's
Provisionally Accredited Levee (PAL) Progress Report #6 to FEMA for certification of
the Dubuque levee and floodwall system along the Mississippi River.
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Michel C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Dubuque
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Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager k'C--
Dubuque Levee and Floodwall Certification — PAL Progress Report #6
March 14, 2011
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum transmits the PAL Progress Report #6 to FEMA for certification of
the Dubuque levee and floodwall system along the Mississippi River. This progress
report is a bi- monthly update that FEMA requested as part of the City of Dubuque's
Provisionally Accredited Levee (PAL) Agreement that is due in early March 2011. This
report is the final PAL Progress Report.
DISCUSSION
The City of Dubuque must certify the levee system complies with federal regulations
concerning provision of 100 -year flood protection for the community. This certification
must be submitted before May 17, 2011 and be signed by a professional engineer. We
plan to have a member of the City's Engineering Department provide this certification.
City staff has reviewed the June 2010 Engineering Technical Review Report prepared
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Dubuque Levee System. Overall,
our levee system appears to meet or exceed most standards according to the report.
The City Council officially adopted the July 2002 Operation and Maintenance Manual for
the Dubuque levee and floodwall system on May 3, 2010 for submittal to FEMA.
Subsequently, the June 2010 USACE report recommended that the City update the
Operation and Maintenance Manual and the Emergency Flood Control Plan to ensure
that information in both plans was clear, consistent, and coordinated with respect to
operation, maintenance and emergency flood control response. City staff completed a
simultaneous review of both plans in October 2010. These revised plans were adopted
officially by the City Council in November 2010, when they were submitted to FEMA.
The USACE report identified two main areas that require further analysis for the
Dubuque levee and floodwall system. One area is for structural analysis of the levee
and floodwall system to evaluate levee embankment stability. The City Council
authorized issuance of an RFP for this work, and then selected GEI as the consultant
on September 20, 2010. GEI conducted a site visit on October 20, 2010 to begin their
analysis. The analysis was completed by December 15, 2010. City staff reviewed the
GEI preliminary report on December 29, 2010. The GEI final report was reviewed with
Dubuque Levee and Floodwall Certification — PAL Progress Report Page 2
City staff on March 1, 2011. GEI has been contracted to complete an interim risk
reduction plan as a final step in completing the structural analysis.
The other area is for interior drainage analysis. The City retained CDM to do this
analysis as it is an extension of the work the firm completed for the FEMA flood map
technical appeal. The analysis was to be completed by December 15, 2010. This work
schedule has been extended to April 1, 2011 due to CDM's reconnaissance with the
USACE for the 12 sub - basins involved in this analysis.
On March 8, 2011, City staff, along with GEI and CDM representatives, met with FEMA
staff and their consultants for a Dubuque levee and floodwall scoping meeting. Our
levee and floodwall system will be shown on the new flood maps as being provisionally
accredited. Based on this meeting with FEMA officials and our levee consultants, we
fully expect that our levee will be re- certified.
REQUESTED ACTION
The requested action is to transmit the Bi- monthly PAL Progress Report #6 to the City
Council as an informational item. No Council action is required.
Enclosures
cc: Don Vogt, Public Works Director
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
John Klostermann, Streets & Sewers Supervisor
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Kyle Kritz, Associate Planner
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864
(563) 589 -4210 phone
(563) 589 -4221 fax
(563) 690 -6678 TDD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
Richard Leonard, Chief
Risk Analysis Branch
FEMA Region VII
9221 Ward Parkway Ste 300
Kansas City MO 64114
VIA EMAIL
RE: March 2011 PAL Progress Report
Dear Mr. Leonard:
This letter transmits the March 2011 PAL Progress Report for certification of the Dubuque levee
and floodwall system along the Mississippi River. This progress report is the latest bi- monthly
update to the One -Year PAL Progress Report submitted in May, 2010 as requested by FEMA.
The City of Dubuque reviewed the June 2010 Engineering Technical Review Report prepared
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Dubuque Levee System. Overall, our
levee system appears to meet or exceed most standards according to the report. The USACE
identified two main areas that require further analysis. The City of Dubuque has retained
engineering consultants to complete these analyses by April 1, 2011.
On March 8, 2011, City staff, along with our engineering consultants, met with FEMA Region VII
staff and consultants for a Dubuque levee and floodwall scoping meeting. The meeting was very
helpful, and we appreciate the assistance provided by FEMA for the levee certification process.
Please feel contact me if you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Lt \G
Laura Carstens
Planning Services Manager
Enclosures
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
cc: Dawn Kinsey, Community Outreach Specialist, FEMA Region VII
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
John Klostermann, Streets & Sewers Supervisor
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Kyle Kritz, Associate Planner
March 14, 2011
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
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PAL Progress Report Mar 2011.xis Map Modernization Quarterly Report
Provisionally Accredited Levee Progress Report
3/14/2011
FEMA
I. Levee Identification
PAL Scenario:
B
IPAL Period:
Start Date: May 17, 2009 End Date: May 17, 2011
Progress Report due date 12 months after 91st day of PAL Period.
Progress Report Due Date: 17 Jan - 11
FEMA Region: VII
State/Territory: IA
County: Dubuque County
Community: City of Dubuque
Levee Owner Name: City of Dubuque
Contact information: Laura Carstens
Project Officer (FEMA): Dawn Kinsey
FEMA Received Date:
Levee Owner Agency: same
Phone #: 563.589.4210
Phone #: 816.283.7055
II. Status Report: Report By Certification Requirement (44 CFR 65.10)
Requirement #: 1 Description: Demonstrate that all levees provide the minimum required freeboard [44
' CFR 65 .10(b)(1)].
Completion Dates and Status: N/A due to USACE Certification? no
30- Jun -10 :Planned
13- Jun -10 : Actual
100% ' Estimated % Work
Complete
Summa . (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
� • state "No Act " .)
The June 2010 USACE engineering technical review report concluded that the Dubuque Levee system meets
the minimum required freeboard.
Requirement #: 2 Description: Demonstrate that all openings have been provided with appropriate closure
devices that are a structural part of the system [44 CFR 65.10(b)(2)].
Completion Dates and Status:
NIA due to USACE Certification? no
4 - Apr - 11 :Planned
4- Mar -11 : Actual
100% ' Estimated % Work
Complete
Summary: (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
�: state "No Activity".)
The June 2010 USACE report concluded that all openings in the Dubuque Levee system have appropriate
closure devices, and recommended operation and maintenance items for the City to address. Cargill gate
rmmnlptprd nn n9/95/11 Railrnard trarkc al 2 lnratinnc wpm nullarl nn f)4 /r)9/11 and n1/04/11
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PAL Progress Report Mar 2011.xis Map Modernization Quarterly Report
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3/14/2011
Demonstrate through engineering analyses that no appreciable erosion of
Requirement #: 3 Description: the levee embankment can be expected during the base flood [44 CFR
65.10(b)(3)].
Completion Dates and Status:
N/A due to USACE Certification? no
30- Jun -10 :Planned
13- Jun -10 : Actual
100% : Estimated % Work
Complete
Summa . (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
� • state "No Act " .)
The June 2010 USACE report concluded that there is no appreciable erosion of the levee embankment
expected during the base flood.
Requirement #: 4 Description: Evaluate through engineering analyses the levee embankment stability [44
' CFR 65. 10(b)(4)].
Completion Dates and Status:
N/A due to USACE Certification?
1 - Apr - 11 :Planned
: Actual
90% ' Estimated % Work
Complete
" (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
Summary state No Act " .)
The June 2010 USACE report included a limited structural analysis of the levee embankment stability. GEI,
structural engineering consultant, final report reviewed on 03/01/11. GEI contracted to provided interim risk
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Assess the potential and magnitude of future losses of freeboard as a result
Requirement #: 5 Description: of levee settlement and demonstrate that freeboard will be maintained [44
CFR 65.10(b)(5)].
Completion Dates and Status:
N/A due to USACE Certification? no
30 Jun - 10 :Planned
13- Jun -10 : Actual
100% " Estimated % Work
Complete
(Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
Summary: state No Act ° .)
The June 2010 USACE report concluded that settlement is not an issue and the freeboard will be maintained.
PAL Progress Report Mar 2011.xis Map Modernization Quarterly Report
3/14/2011
Analyze the interior drainage; identify the source(s) of such flooding, the
Requirement #: 6 Description: extent of the flooded area, and, if the average depth is greater than one
foot, the water - surface elevation(s) of the base flood [44 CFR 65.10(b)(6)].
Completion Dates and Status:
N/A due to USACE Certification? no
1 - Apr - 11 :Planned
: Actual
75% : Estimated % Work
Complete
Summa • (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
• state °No Act " )
The June 2010 USACE report recommended an interior drainage analysis. CDM, engineering consultant, to
provide a technical analysis of interior drainage for compliance with NFIP by 04/01/11. Schedule changed due to
CIlM'c rprnnnai.anre with I /SACF
Requirement #: 7 Description: Adopt and submit an official operation manual [44 CFR 65.10(c)].
Completion Dates and Status:
5- May -10 :Planned
5- May -10 : Actual
100 : Estimated % Work
Complete
Summa . (Si milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
� • state "No Act " .)
The Dubuque City Council officially adopted the July 2002 Operation and Maintenance Manual for the Dubuque
levee and floodwall system on 05/03/10 for submittal to FEMA. Based on the USACE report, City staff revised
the r)neratinn and Maintenance Manual and the Fmprnenry Flnnrd Cnntrnl Plan in C)rtnher 201()
Requirement #: 8 Description: Adopt and submit an official maintenance plan [44 CFR 65.10(d)].
Completion Dates and Status:
5- May -10 :Planned
5- May -10 : Actual
100% : Estimated % Work
Complete
"
(Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
Summary• state No Activity.)
The Dubuque City Council officially adopted the July 2002 Operation and Maintenance Manual for the Dubuque
levee and floodwall system on 05/03/10 for submittal to FEMA. Based on the USACE report, City staff revised the
r)npratinn and Maintpnanrp Manual and the Fmprnpnry Flnnrd Cnntrnl Plan in rlrtnher 201n
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PAL Progress Report Mar 2011.xjs Map Modernization Quarterly Report
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3/14/2011
Requirement #: 9 Description: Submit as-built plans of the levee certified by a Professional Engineer [44
CFR 65.10(e)].
Completion Dates and Status:
5- May -10 :Planned
5- May -10 : Actual
100% ' Estimated % Work
Complete
(Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
Summary: state °No Activity".)
The City of Dubuque submitted the as -built plans of the Dubuque levee and floodwall system certified by a
Professional Engineer, and plans for the City improvements made to the levee and floodwall system, to FEMA.
If the USACE is certifying the levee, Requirement # 10 may be used in lieu of Requirements # 1 -6 & 9
Requirement #: 10 Description: Submit certification and supporting documentation that the levee provides
protection from the base flood [44 CFR 65.10(e)].
Completion Dates and Status:
N/A due to non -USACE Certification?
no
18- Apr -11 :Planned
: Actual
800/0 : Estimated % Work
Complete
Summary. • (Significant milestones, problem identification, etc; Reason for slippage of schedule if objectives are not met; If no activity during period, just
state No Activity".)
The City of Dubuque will evaluate the results of the June 2010 USACE report and additional engineering
analyses to complete this step. City staff met with FEMA staff and consultants for Dubuque levee scoping
mpptinn nn O4/fR/11
PAL Progress Report Mar 2011.xis Map Modernization Quarterly Report
3/14/2011
IV. Overall Levee Certification Progress:
Estimated Total Progress Completed:
Levee Certication Proceeding on Schedule:
How Much?
Schedule:
If certification progress is not proceeding as scheduled, please describe problems or issues with
the potential to impact completion date or overall ability to certify levee.
(Attach documentation as required)
80%
Select Units
V. Progress Code:
Green (On track for complete 65.10 submission as planned)
Yellow (Problems /issues potential to impact 65.10 submission schedule)
Red* (Complete 65.10 package submission will likely not meet deadline)
* FEMA may require a meeting to discuss inadequate process and determine the next course of
action (continue with collection of 65.10 requirements, proceed to de- accredit the levee, or other)
VI. Additional Comments:
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