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The west-side subdivision of
higher-priced homes was built in 1994. Unfortunately the homes were
built on a natural causeway that catches water runoff from
surrounding farm fields and from the Elks golf course.
The subdivision was annexed into the
city after it was built. The developer/builder went broke.
Sewer manager Grant Eaton said that
the problem has probably escalated for some properties as more homes
have been built. "They've changed the profile of that ground," he
said. He recalled that when the subdivision first went in, all the
manholes were exposed. Now, if there is a sewer problem, they have a
difficult time finding some of the manholes because they are buried
so deep.
In November Eaton recommended that
the city get a flow study done. A flow study is normally the first
and necessary step to take before doing any engineering of that
type, he said.
The nearly $10,000 flow study was
performed by engineering specialists at the request and expense of
the city of Lincoln. Joseph Pisula of Donohue and Associates from
Champaign presented those results at the city's April 12 meeting. He
left copies of the report for aldermen to review, and he returned
for the committee's discussion last night.
In his summary Pisula pointed out
three plan options, their variables and estimated costs. The first
plan uses the same water pathways. The second proposes adding
retention walls in the subdivision. And the third directs the storm
water around the subdivision from the west to the south.
Pisula said that topographical
elevations and ground surface elevations were gathered in preparing
the study. The report included satellite photos as well.
The plans include a range of normal
to heavier rains. Water magnitudes were calculated using 10-year and
50-year storm rainfall amounts per hour.
The estimates ranged from $446,000
to over a million dollars. The most commonly practiced "rational
method" estimated a cost of $492,000. Pisula's recommendation was to
choose that plan if further action was going to be taken.
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Pisula cited the flood damage caused by
recent hurricanes and quoted a commonly known adage used in the
field, "In drainage there is no guarantee of anything."
Sewer chairman Benny Huskins summarized
the predominant position of the council, which has remained the same
from the beginning, "I still think this is more of a personal
matter, not a city matter," he said. He emphasized that he agreed to
look into the matter on behalf of the residents because he believes
the city should help citizens whenever they can. But in this
situation the city is not responsible for the problem. Aldermen Dave
Armbrust, Patrick Madigan, Buzz Busby and city attorney Bill Bates
agreed.
City treasurer Les Plotner made a
suggestion that made a lot of sense to everyone. He asked if this
work might affect the future work that is planned to develop Fifth
Street.
It will, he was told by the city and
Donohue engineers. All of the water from that area, which has been
under significant development and could be undergoing much more
development soon, flows toward Fifth Street. Additionally, the
engineers said, any work done now might even need to be redone when
the Fifth Street work is done.
Plotner said that the city will
likely seek grants for the Fifth Street road project, and since that
subdivision water would also channel the same way, it might be
possible to include it in the Fifth Street project at that time.
Mayor Beth Davis and a number of the
alderman agreed that this was an excellent suggestion that will be
pursued when the time comes.
In light of the costs and the city's
current economic position Huskins said, "I recommended that the
council not take any action at this time." He said that the city
would continue to look at it and look for grant money as development
of the area takes place down the line.
The flow study information will be
useful since all the water flows toward Fifth Street and the other
intended west-side developments, Eaton said.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
