2010 Media Releases

Date:

October 15, 2010

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 402-441-7831
Ben Higgins, Public Works and Utilities, 402-441-7589

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Mayor Presents Facts On Storm Drainage Bond Issue

Voters to decide issue Nov. 2

Mayor Chris Beutler encourages voters to become educated on the City's storm drainage system before voting on an $8.2 million stormwater bond issue placed on the November 2 general election ballot by the City Council. At current interest rates, the bond issue would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $5.73 per year.

If approved, the bond issue would provide funds to help protect property from stormwater runoff and flood damage when major rains occur; to improve water quality; and to prevent or repair failing stream banks. The projects are identified in the City's Storm Drainage Capital Improvement Program and are on a current priority list of storm drainage needs. The projects are expected to be constructed over the next two to three years.

Passage of the bond issue would provide funds for 13 storm drainage and stream stability projects:

• Tyrell Park - rehabilitate channel and improve water quality
• Bethany Park - repair block wall on south side of the channel
• Holdrege, 38th to 40th area - replace and extend undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 50th and Pioneers area - extend drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 9th and "N" area - rehabilitate drainage system due to structural concerns
• Fletcher, 57th to 63rd area - rehabilitate open and closed drainage system due to frequent street flooding
• 48th and Cornhusker ditch liner - repair concrete liner due to structural failures
• 70th and Yosemite area - build new drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 27th and Bradfield area - extend drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• Antelope Creek "A" Street culvert enhancement - add additional openings under "A" Street at Antelope Creek and associated projects to reduce overland flooding
• NW 4th and Harvest area - rehabilitate undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 56th and Morton area - preliminary study of watershed to address frequent flooding issues
• Miscellaneous repairs - rehabilitate 8th and Park, W. Superior (49th to 50th) and other failing drainage systems

Passage of the bond issue also would provide funds for:

• Preliminary engineering and projects for master planned basins to include flood management, stream stability and water quality projects
• Engineering and projects for floodplain and floodprone areas
• Projects incorporating best management practices for water quality

Lincoln voters have approved all seven storm drainage bond issues on the ballot since 1990:

• 1991 - $5.58 million
• 1995 - $4.00 million
• 1997 - $8.25 million
• 2001 - $7.50 million
• 2003 - $10.0 million
• 2005 - $9.95 million
• 2007 - $8.30 million

For more information, see Watershed Management's 2010 Stormwater Bond Issue Fact Sheet.