The Carroll City Council approved plans to move forward with design work on up to $2.9 million in stormwater drainage improvements in southwest Carroll. Ward 4 Councilwoman Carolyn Siemann says there have been complaints of backflow in the Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills South, and Southdale additions during periods of heavy rainfall.
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Public Works Director Randy Krauel says there appears to be nothing physically wrong with the stormwater drains, but the approximately 70-year-old infrastructure was not initially designed for the number of homes now found in those neighborhoods.
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In November, the council approved a contract with JEO Consulting Group to complete an evaluation of potential stormwater improvements for this area of the city. They proposed two possible solutions: PR-1 and PR-2. PR-1 is estimated at $2.19 million and would replace the existing 24-inch lines with 42-inch ones. PR-2 is estimated at $2.55 million and would replace the current lines and add another outlet to the north to prevent pooling at the junction on S. Main Street. City officials favored the PR-2 option, as it would provide additional capacity to the system. However, Krauel says that still leaves the question of how it would be funded.
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PR-2 could be split into two phases, but only one could be covered without issuing $1.1 million in debt. Krauel notes separating the work into phases adds nearly $350,000 to the project to account for mobilization and other extraneous expenses. The council unanimously approved the professional services agreement with JEO to proceed with design work and directed staff to work with bond council to develop potential funding options. The issue is expected to return to the city council’s agenda in upcoming meetings for further action.