FARMERS BRANCH FLOOD REDUCTION PROJECT
From
the Office of the City Manager, Linda Ryan
How
the City of White Settlement got to where we are today!
The Flood in June 2000 encouraged the City of White
Settlement to continue their request for assistance from
the Corps of Engineers to construct a Federal Flood
Damage Reduction Project along Farmers Branch. More
than 100 homes and businesses have experienced flooding
in 2000 and again in 2004. In October 2001, the
cost-share agreement for a feasibility study was
presented to the Federal Government realizing that the
“engineering and fact finding” efforts would not be
visible for several years.
In 2005, the voters
approved a $6.15 M bond, which was thought at the time
to be the City’s share of the project. There was a
moratorium put in place on Federal funding which wasn’t
lifted until 2007. In April 2008, the
Corps of Engineers met with the City Council to discuss
the Design and Construction of Farmers Branch. At this
time, the City’s estimated share was $10.5 M with the
total project being $16.2 M. The Council discussed
issuing an additional $4 M Certificates of Obligations
realizing the $6.15 M approved by the voters in 2005
would not be sufficient. In May 2009, the $6.15
M bond was issued and funding received. The 100% Design
Plan was approved by the City Council in February 2010.
Today, (June 2011), the reality is here.
The City’s share is now
estimated to be more than $11 M with total project over
$18 M. Federal funding is maxed out at $7 M.
The City Council met in a workshop on June 7th
and again on June 14th to consider and
approve additional debt to complete the Flood Project.
Funding must be in place prior to awarding the
Construction Bids.
The “Project” is the Locally Preferred Plan which
provides protection for the 100-year flood event for the
majority of the residents. This plan from the US Army
Corps of Engineers prepared by Halff and Associates is
composed of channel improvements to Farmers Branch Main
Stem and the Las Vegas Trail Tributary. Bridges will be
replaced at Meadow Park, Las Vegas Trail and George
Street. The existing bridge at Mirike will remain in
place. The bridge at Pemberton Street will be
demolished but not replaced.
26 houses were purchased and demolished, residents were
relocated. The sanitary sewer interceptor that ran the
length of the channel has been moved which will enable
the flowline of the channel to be lowered. The
easements needed from 88 Parcels have been purchased and
fences, trees, and sheds will soon be moved. Utilities
are ready to be relocated as construction bids are
scheduled to be awarded in August 2011.
|
Revenues: |
|
|
Federal Funding Balance (Spent $1,890,187) |
$
4,603,967 |
|
City - 2009 Bond Proceeds |
6,143,177 |
|
Balance of Non Federal (% Design) |
401,723 |
|
City - Reserves from Prior Tax Notes & Interest |
366,573 |
|
Sub-total revenues |
$11,515,440 |
|
Actual & Estimated
Expenditures: |
|
|
Corp of Engineers (% Design) |
$
515,000 |
|
Property, Demolitions, Relocation, Incidental
Expense |
2,501,827 |
|
Parcels & Buyouts of Easements |
408,339 |
|
Utilities Relocation |
1,280,747 |
|
Condemnation Expenses |
71,995 |
|
Engineering, Surveys, Waterline Replacement |
339,847 |
|
Acquisitions, Appraisals, Negotiation Services, etc. |
854,000 |
|
Sub-total (city) expenditures |
$ 5,971,755 |
|
|
|
|
Estimated Construction Cost of Project |
$
11,280,872 |
|
|
|
|
Total expenditures |
$
17,252,627 |
|
Estimated Shortage |
($
5,737,187) |
| |
|
|
|
