City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 21, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: YON LAMBERT, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Accept Community Project Funding for Two Flash Flooding Spot Projects for Flood Action Alexandria. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to Accept Funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding to Accelerate Two Flash Flooding Spot Projects the City’s Flood Action program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution to accept the FY 2022 allocation from the Community Project
Funding program under the Federal Housing and Urban Development, Economic
Development, Community Project Funding for the Clifford St., Fulton Ave.,
Manning St. flooding and drainage spot improvement project;
2. Support and accept the FY 2023 allocation from the Community Project Funding
program under the Federal Housing and Urban Development, Economic
Development program for Notabene Dr., Four Mile Rd., and Old Dominion Blvd.
flooding and drainage spot improvement project; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to enter into any agreements that may be required to
receive these funds should the request for funding be approved.
BACKGROUND: In early 2021, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees announced the return of member requested funding, often colloquially referred to as “earmarks.” In the House, these funding opportunities are referred to as “Community Project Funding.” In Fiscal Year 2022, the City of Alexandria received Community Project Funding, requested by Congressman Donald S. Beyer, Jr. in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, for a flash flooding storm sewer spot improvement project to mitigate recurrent flooding at Clifford Ave., Fulton St. and Manning St. of $420,000. For the FY 2023 round of Community Project Funding spending, the City identified a $1,120,000 spot project that will accelerate a portion of the identified capacity improvement work in the equity area of Arlandria in the Four Mile Run watershed Notabene Dr., Four Mile Rd., and Old Dominion Blvd.
DISCUSSION: Storm sewer systems in these neighborhoods were designed and installed, in some cases, more than a century ago and as such do not account for changes in climate now affecting the local weather patterns which form extreme rainfall events, precipitating flash flooding on an alarmingly frequent basis.
Neighborhood investigations were conducted by the staff and consultant team by visiting over 20 neighborhoods for initial consultations to identify issues and follow up investigations to identify potential solutions and create conceptual proposals to mitigate flooding issues. The team identified a spot project to address flooding in the Clifford Street-Fulton Avenue-Manning Street area. The project will involve potential improvements to the alleyway south of Clifford Street by implementing green infrastructure practices, improving the storm sewer infrastructure, and consideration of downspout disconnections for the neighborhood. Further design and feasibility will determine the specific project elements.
The City of Alexandria Storm Sewer Analysis (CASSCA) study along with on-the-ground investigations in Arlandria identified the Notabene Drive-Four Mile-Old Dominion Boulevard area as having capacity issues resulting in flooding. This project is currently prioritized in the Stormwater Management Utility 10-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with design to be funded in FY 2027 and construction in FY 2028. The project will install about 660 linear feet of 42-inch storm sewer pipe to replace the existing 24-inch pipe, which will provide additional capacity in the storm sewer to allow drainage of stormwater runoff and mitigate inundation of adjacent private properties. The FY 2023 funding being requested, if appropriated, will accelerate the delivery of this capital flood mitigation project.
If Council approves this resolution, Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) staff will work with Department of Project Implementation (DPI) staff to initiate a capital project to implement the FY 2022 prior-appropriated funding for the Clifford-Fulton-Manning project. If Council does not approve this resolution, the project could be wholly funded out of the City’s Storm Sewer Spot Improvement program CIP in FY 2023. Additionally, if Council approves this resolution, T&ES staff will work with DPI staff to initiate a capital project upon receipt of award for the requested FY 2023 Community Project Funding. If Council does not approve this resolution, the project would be wholly funded out of the City’s Storm Sewer Capacity Projects CIP by FY 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding, if appropriated, would cover the total estimated project cost for each project. The total project cost of the Clifford-Fulton-Manning Street Flood Mitigation Project is estimated at $420,000 with the current estimated project cost appropriated in FY 2022. The total estimated cost of the Notabene-Four Mile-Old Dominion project is $1,120,000. No Stormwater Utility or City matching funds are required to receive funding. In consultation with the Stormwater Ad Hoc Advisory Group, City staff will use the net effect or savings from the use of these federal funds to offset planning for alternate stormwater projects.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Terry Suehr, Director, Project Implementation
William J. Skrabak, Deputy Director, T&ES, Infrastructure and Environmental Quality
Tarrence Moorer, Assistant Director, T&ES
Jesse E. Maines, Division Chief, T&ES, Stormwater Management
Daniel Medina, Flood Program Manager, Project Implementation
Arthur Wicks, Capital Improvement Program Manager, OMB