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D.I.R.T. Task Force minutes of 3/21/2007

Contributed by: Office of the Mayor on 4/17/2007

MINUTES OF
D.I.R.T. TASK FORCE
March 21, 2007
6:30 p.m.


A. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chair Stites at 6:35 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS

Committee Members Present


Anne Brinkman
Mary Cavarra
Liz George
Dean Gokey
Paul Hovland
Brett Kelley
Eugene Kiefel
Dick Matthews
Jill McGranahan
Larry Merkl
Rob Osborn
Jim Payne
Kelsey Robb
Susan Seeds
Larry Schulz
Mike Stites
Terry Womble

Also attending

Jerry DiTullio, Mayor
Tim Paranto, Public Works Director
Heather Geyer, Assistant to City Manager
Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 7, 2007

The minutes stood approved as presented.

D. INTRODUCTION, TASK FORCE MODERATOR - Councilmember Stites

Mayor DiTullio thanked members for serving on the Task Force and gave a reminder that all agendas, presentations, minutes and Channel 8 schedule are posted on the city's website.

E. STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
Presentation by Tim Paranto, Director of Public Works

Tim Paranto provided highlights of drainage plans and studies that have been conducted in the city as follow:
• 1975 Lena Gulch Master Drainage Plan
• 1977 Sloans Lake Basin Drainage Plan
• 1979 Master Drainage Plan
• 1981 Lower Clear Creek Drainage Plan
• 1994 Columbine Basin Outfall System
• 2000 Clear Creek at Kipling Study
• 2003 Applewood Watershed Outfall
• 2004 Fairmont Area Outfall Systems
• 2006 Clear Creek Major Drainageway
• 2007 Lena Gulch Major Drainageway

Mr. Paranto identified the following projects that staff would like to see completed and presented them in order of priority. Staff recommended prioritizing improvements that address regional issues, reduce property damage and increase safety.

1. Clear Creek Crossing at Kipling
• Channel improvements to prevent overtopping of the bridge during a 100-year flood. Kipling is a state highway and carries approximately 37,000 vehicles per day.
• Replace the Kipling bridge
• Build flood berms
• Build trail under bridge
• Estimated cost: $5,500,000 - Local 20% match would be $1,100,000

2. 41st Avenue (Fenton to Ames) Project
• Existing flooding along 41st Avenue (half of street is in Wheat Ridge and half in Mountain View) There could be an intergovernmental agreement with Mountain View although all the water flows into Mountain View from Wheat Ridge.
• Add curb, gutter and storm sewer
• Estimated cost: $500,000

3. Garrison (44th Avenue to I-70)
• Existing street flooding due to lack of drainage system
• Contributes to flooding on 46th Place
• Add storm sewer, curb and gutter
• Estimated Cost: $600,000

4. 26th Avenue to 29th Avenue, Sheridan to Fenton
• Existing street flooding, damage and complaints
• Add curb, gutter and storm sewer
• Estimated cost: $3,700,000


5. 35th Avenue (Ames to Depew)
• Existing street flooding and damage
• Build neighborhood storm water collection system
• Estimated cost: $800,000

6. Columbine Basin
• Entire northwest area of city lacks drainage facilities
• Drainage is currently intercepted by irrigation ditches
• Lack of drainage facilities hinders development
• Ridge Road Tributary (Estimated cost: $8,200,000)
• West 48th Lateral (Estimated cost: $750,000)
• Ridge Home Tributary (Estimated cost: $150,000)
• Upper Arvada Channel (Estimated cost: $9,900,000)
• Total estimated cost: $19,000,000

7. 45th Place and 46th Place (Field to Everett)
• Existing street flooding and complaints
• Drains area from Garrison and I-70
• Build neighborhood storm water collection system
• Estimated cost: $700,000

8. Independence (44th to 48th Avenues)
• Existing curb and gutter
• Infiltration pits
• Existing street flooding and complaints
• Build storm sewer to drain inlets
• Estimated cost: $600,000

9. 38th Avenue (Union to Simms)
• Existing street flooding, damage and complaints
• Add storm sewer collection along 38th Avenue
• Outfall to Clear Creek
• Include in 38th Avenue reconstruction
• Estimated cost: $1,800,000

10. All other priorities

• Estimated cost: $11,000,000

Total cost for all projects would be approximately $44,000,000.

F. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Task Force Moderator - Councilmember Stites

In response to a question from Larry Merkl, Mr. Paranto replied that there would be no help from the State or the City of Arvada for Columbine Basin. Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) would provide limited funding with a 50% match from the city. Mr. Merkl commented that it seemed Arvada should participate in funding this project since recent Arvada developments have greatly contributed to the storm drainage problem in Wheat Ridge.

Mr. Paranto explained that the Arvada channel project, from 50th Avenue to the east was originally to be a joint project with Wheat Ridge since it served both cities. When Arvada developed the Target center they asked Wheat Ridge to contribute. Because Wheat Ridge did not have the funds to participate, Arvada ended up paying all the local share for the detention pond at 50th and Miller as well as all of the channel to the east. Arvada also built a major storm drainage system north along Miller to Ridge Road. Arvada built detention ponds for the houses to north and Wheat Ridge paid for the portion of that housing project that is located in Wheat Ridge. Since Arvada has basically built the Columbine Basin to Miller, Wheat Ridge is actually benefiting from Arvada's work.

Jill McGranahan asked if the city has a savings plan for these types of projects. Mr. Paranto replied that the city has a small capital investment program that is presently funded to about $2 million, most of which will go to resurfacing. There is only about $140 to150 thousand per year available to be spent on storm drainage and that is why prioritization of the projects is important. Ms. McGranahan commented that the 26th to 29th Avenue project would be a priority because it would improve the housing stock in Wheat Ridge.

In response to a question from Anne Brinkman, Mr. Paranto stated that Garrison is a major collector street between Wheat Ridge and Arvada.

Jim Payne asked if any portion of the Columbine Basin improvements would be funded by light rail. Mr. Paranto replied that there may be some improvements constructed by light rail but they are at the very end of the train track.

Mary Cavarra asked if all of the projects would be eligible for a 50% match by UDFCD. Mr. Paranto explained that local projects would not quality. Columbine Basin, channel improvements along Clear Creek and the bridge replacements might be eligible. However, there is limited funding available. The City has also missed out on this type of funding over the years because the 50% matching funds were not available.

In response to a question from Mary Cavarra, Mr. Paranto stated that reverse 911 calls would probably be used as an early warning system in the case of severe flooding in Lena Gulch.

Mary Cavarra asked if the trail on the south side of Clear Creek at Kipling was sufficient without a need to build a trail on the north side. Mr. Paranto replied that there has always been a desire to have a trail on the north side to connect the Clear Creek Trail system.

In response to a question from Larry Schulz, Mr. Paranto explained that the 38th Avenue estimate included road work on 38th but not necessarily road work on Simms.

Larry Merkl referred to flooding problems with Clear Creek near the Anderson Building and asked how improvements would be made so that water wouldn't back up into drains. Mr. Paranto stated that a study was done that analyzed an alternative of channeling Clear Creek through this area. It was shown that this alternative would not be cost effective and would also destroy all the riparian area. New technology has shown the 1979 study to be inaccurate and a new study is underway. He noted that homes located in the floodplain in the 1979 study have doubled, so when the new study is adopted by FEMA, there will be more homes in Wheat Ridge located in the floodplain.

Larry Merkl asked if the dams were still in place that were constructed during the Lena Gulch project. Mr. Paranto replied that they were replaced two years ago with steel hydraulic operated gates. The City of Wheat Ridge contributed to those gates through an intergovernmental agreement with UDFCD. The City still contributes to maintenance of that dam because of the protection it provides to citizens. Mr. Merkl commented that part of the problem is due to new construction upstream in Jefferson County and Golden that contributes more runoff into Lena Gulch on the south side of the dam.

Terry Womble asked about property owner complaints in the 26th to 29th from Sheridan to Fenton and 35th from Ames to Depew areas. Mr. Paranto replied that complaints relate to street flooding and flooding into homes. Homeowners try to do some protection to direct the water away from their houses.

Mr. Womble commented that the Kipling Street crossing is very important due to the seriousness of possible flooding over the bridge that would close a major thoroughfare. It would also connect the Clear Creek trail.

Jim Payne asked what the chances are that Clear Creek couldn't handle all the storm water drainage. Mr. Paranto explained that if drainage systems are in place, water could be released ahead of cresting of Clear Creek.

Paul Hovland asked if there had been any discussion with Mountain View about contributing toward the project at 41st and Mountain View. Mr. Paranto replied that there have been no such discussions and that Mountain View is probably not financially able to participate.

In response to a question from Paul Hovland regarding damming cause by railroad tracks in the Columbine Basin. Mr. Paranto stated that these tracks are used several times a day by Coors. The railroad has no responsibility for drainage.

Paul Hovland asked about recent work at 45th and 46th Place. Mr. Paranto explained that in the Carr-Estes project, the city installed storm sewers and inlets to get water to Clear Creek. Some Community Development Block Grant funds were used on this project.

Eugene Kiefl asked if it would help to clear some of the ditches to move more water. Mr. Paranto replied that it would help with one ditch. The rest of the ditches are owned by ditch companies who won't accept storm water due to liability issues.

Larry Merkl commented that there has never been water flowing over the Kipling bridge for more than a few minutes during major floods. However, there has been flooding downstream into neighborhoods by Anderson Park.

Mike Stites asked if the channel could deepened and widened under the Kipling bridge rather than replacing the bridge. Mr. Paranto replied that a study shows that this alternative would be the most cost effective, but the trail would be flooded out.

Dean Gokey asked the definition of flooding. Mr. Paranto explained that it is necessary to have a dry path down the center of a street to accommodate emergency vehicles. On a collector street, two lanes of traffic should remain open. Most of the areas discussed tonight have houses below the existing pavement allowing flood water to enter homes.

Dean Gokey commented that communities like Mountain View are struggling financially the same as Wheat Ridge. He believed the City needs to do its part as a community but not go overboard in helping other communities when they continue to develop while Wheat Ridge remains pretty much stagnant. He also commented that he has lived in and out of Wheat Ridge all of his life and could not recall a major flood. Mr. Paranto stated that flooding estimates are based on 100-year floods.

In response to a question from Liz George, Mr. Paranto stated that the estimated cost for major road reconstruction projects like Wadsworth and 38th Avenue include storm drainage.

Rob Osborn asked what project has the largest liability for loss of public and private property. Mr. Paranto stated that he couldn't answer that. It has been determined by the city that it isn't cost effective to pay for another study when there are no available funding sources to pay for the project.

Larry Merkl commented that years ago a 1% sales tax increase was instituted to build drainage at Harlan, 38th and 44th. Seven or eight years ago a determination was made by the city attorney that these funds were never earmarked for drainage and should therefore be placed in the general fund. He suggested getting back to using that money for what the citizens voted for.

Tim Paranto made a map available for Task Force members to examine that shows all existing storm sewers in the city.

G. CONCLUSION OF MEETING
Task Force Moderator - Councilmember Stites

Larry Schulz reminded members to submit evaluation forms as soon as possible.

Chair Stites reminded citizens that they can go online to complete evaluation forms and submit them to the Task Force.

On behalf of the mayor and city council, Chair Stites thanked members for serving on the Task Force.

H. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.



_____________________________ ____________________________
Mike Stites, Chair

Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary


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Office of the Mayor

Wheat Ridge , CO

Office of the Mayor has posted 186 stories and 15 comments since joining on 9/29/2005. Office of the Mayor's average story rating is 4.06.
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