Resolution setting a public hearing for 7:00 p.m. on June 24, 2019, for the Levee Certification Project, Geotechnical MR_5.  Project #FY15-06C

The City of Council Bluffs owns or sponsors multiple levee segments which encompass the City Federal Levee System, providing flood protection from the Missouri River, Mosquito Creek, and Indian Creek.  These levee systems are currently shown on FEMA floodplain maps as being accredited and are identified as providing protection from the 100-year flood or 1% annual chance flood event.

In order to maintain the level of protection identified on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, it is necessary to provide documentation to FEMA that complies with the requirements of 44 CFR 65.10.  If the levees are not certified, they will be de-accredited and FEMA will begin the process of updating maps.  Areas previously protected by the levees will be identified as flood-prone.

In order to meet the criteria for levee certification, improvements to each of the levee systems will be necessary.  The purpose of the Geotechnical MR_5 projects is to resolve seepage deficiencies along the Missouri River levee by constructing a seepage and stability berm.  The scope of the project will also incorporate the correction of any noted deficiencies from the latest USACE inspection.

Each year of the FY14 thru FY19 CIP budgets have included a programmed amount in Local Option Sales Tax funds for levee improvements.  In addition to LOST funds, the City is able to capture a portion of the State sales tax revenues through the Iowa Flood Mitigation Program.  Through this program, the City is eligible to receive $57M over a 20-year period.  The accelerated schedule of the levee program requires a funding strategy that will allow large expenditures to occur in the next few years.  The financing plan will likely include borrowing money for the short-term and then leveraging the IFMP reimbursements to pay back the loan over a longer period of time.  The City’s consultant, PFM, is exploring multiple scenarios for borrowing the necessary funds.

The Geotechnical MR_4 and MR_5 projects were previously let on September 11, 2018.  Bids were rejected because of the higher than anticipated costs for fill material.  The estimated cost for the Geotechnical MR_5 project is $1,200,000 including engineering, ROW acquisition, wetland mitigation, and construction.