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P 'h City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 3, 1997 Page 2 1 Mr. Willenbring defined a "flooding problem" for the purpose of this study, to include: a 2 structure which was inundated by rain water in such a way that water might build up from the 3 street and come up and physically contact the structure is such a way that water may enter the 4 structure through a building opening and flood the structure or where the level of water '. 5 exceeded a depth of 2 feet in a given location. This definition does not include storm sewer 6 back-up. All areas where either of the defined problems occurred were studied and identified 7 for corrective action. 8 The report looked at several improvement alternatives with the two primary improvements 9 being increased storm sewer and/or ponding areas or providing flood proofing. Preliminary 10 cost estimates to construct all necessary improvements to address the flooding in the 13 11 problem areas is estimated'at $5.7 million. This estimate is based on providing 100-year 24- 12 hour flood protection using "Technical Paper 40". There has been some additional data 13 generated in the past 30 years that indicates a greater probability of heavier rainfall similar to 14 the July 1, 1997 events. For this reason, WSB estimated the cost to provide 100-year plus 15 30% flood protection. The cost to provide improvements at this level is estimated at $8.3 to 16 $9.1 million. To provide improvements to protect against a rainfall similar to the July 1, 17 1997 which is greater than a 100-year event plus 30% is estimated to cost $8.6 to $9.7 18 million. Mr. Willenbring noted that whatever improvements are made, there still will be no 19 guarantee that another event might occur greater than anticipated and homes could be 20 inundated. 21 Mr. Willenbring noted the City could establish the following policies and/or programs to 22 respond to flooding problems generated by the July 1, 1997 event. The first is to define the 23 level of protection to be provided for structures. Drainage systems in the Metropolitan area 24 are typically designed to accommodate a 100-year event without allowing structures to be 25 inundated. The second is to provide a grant program for flood proofing of structures. This is 26 a cost effective way to provide protection. 27 If the City wishes to react to the storm event and provide the improvements at a cost of$5.7 28 million, one means to provide the funds would be to increase the storm water utility fee. The 29 current storm water utility fee is $3 per quarter which generates $48,000 annually. Upon 30 surveying 30 communities, it was found that the highest utility fee was $13 per quarter. If 31 the improvements in the amount of$5.7 million are spread over 10 years, the utility fee in St. 32 Anthony would need to be increased to $34 per quarter to fund the project. If spread over 15 33 years, an increase to $23 per quarter would be necessary. If the City provides the higher level 34 of flood protection, the utility fee would have to be raised to $50 per quarter to fund for 10 35 years or $33 to fund for 15 years. Mr. Willenbring noted another option available to the City 36 would be to assist homeowners with damage that may occur from a heavy rainfall event by 37 making available a grant program or insurance fund that would assist in paying for damages 38 associated with these events. 39 Faust asked if implementation of WSB's recommendations would allow the City of St. 40 Anthony to participate in the National Flood Protection Program.