Background/Discussion
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_6, 8, and 9 projects are to resolve levee seepage and stability deficiencies. The scope may also incorporate the correction of any noted deficiencies in the project area from the latest USACE inspection.
The design engineer will be responsible for developing contract documents for construction that comply with USACE requirements while maintaining the existing level of flood protection. They will also acquire all necessary regulatory permits and oversee construction.
The fee for engineering services for these projects is estimated to be greater than $200,000.
The Engineer was selected based on their ability to provide the necessary services utilizing the selection criteria outlined in the Professional Services Policy. Statements of qualifications were solicited from nine engineering firms on the pre-qualified list. Four submittals were received and each was reviewed and individually scored by the selection team. The evaluation criteria included team qualifications (40%); past experience on similar projects (30%); project approach and understanding (25%); and clarity and conciseness of the proposal (5%). HDR partnered with Thiele and Lamp, Rynearson and Associates received the highest score and was selected as the most qualified for this particular project. Other firms who submitted proposals included FYRA, Snyder & Associates, and SEH.
Each year of the FY14 thru FY21 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.