Date:

April 6, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Nicole Fleck-Tooze, Public Works and Utilities, 441-6173

Mayor Coleen J. Seng today discussed the City’s storm sewer drainage system and encouraged voters to become informed prior to voting on the $10 million storm sewer bond issue. The bond issue was placed on the May 3 general election ballot by the City Council. At current interest rates, the bond issue would cost the owner of a $125,000 home about $7.21 per year.

If approved, the bond issue would provide funds to help protect property from stormwater runoff and flood damage when major rains occur, to improve water quality and to prevent or repair stream bank damage. The projects are identified in the City’s Storm Sewer Capital Improvement Program and are on a current priority list for storm drainage needs. The anticipated construction time for all of these projects is over the next two to three years.

Passage of the bond issue would provide funds for 18 specific storm drainage and stream stability projects:

• Dead Man's Run - channel rehabilitation
• Antelope Park - stream channel rehabilitation
• 28th and Fair area - repair of undersized system to reduce flooding impacts
• 69th and Walker area - repair of system to reduce flooding impacts
• Southgate and Pioneers area - repair of system to reduce property damage
• 35th and “N” area - repair of system to reduce flooding impacts
• 45th and Ginny area - engineering and design
• 38th and Sewell area - repair of undersized system to reduce street flooding
• 33rd and Washington area - engineering and design
• 6th and “L” area - rehabilitation of sump area
• Colonial and Mayflower area - repair of system to reduce flooding impacts
• 9th and “N” box culvert - repair
• 17th and Washington area - repair
• 4th and Hill - regrading of blocked channel
• 50th and “R” area - provide overland flow paths to reduce street flooding
• 22nd and “X” area - repair of undersized system to reduce flooding impacts
• 21st Street - stormwater bypass system
• 22nd and “O” area - storm drain reconstruction

Passage of the bond issue also would provide funds for:

• Preliminary engineering and projects for master planned basins such as flood management, stream stability and water quality projects.
• Engineering and projects for flood prone areas.
• Projects incorporating best management practices.
• The second phase of a study of urban drainage system deficiencies to update drainage information and prioritize future projects.

Lincoln voters have approved all seven storm sewer bond issues on the ballot since 1983:

• 1983 - $2.55 million
• 1986 - $6.815 million
• 1991 - $5.58 million
• 1995 - $4 million
• 1997 - $8.25 million
• 2001 - $7.5 million
• 2003 - $10 million