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City, NRD take step forward on East Sidney storm water project

Sidney city councilors voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize a long-term, low-interest loan from the state for a design engineering contract to address storm water issues in East Sidney.

The approval came after a 90-minute joint meeting between the Sidney City Council and the South Platte Natural Resource District Board of Directors. Under the plan, a series of bioswales and retention ponds would be constructed near Fort Sidney Road and along land to the east.

The network of ditches and ponds would collect rain water and then release it over 24-48 hours as it travels downhill to Lodgepole Creek.

The vote was a step forward for a partnership that began years ago.

In January 2012, the city and NRD began holding regular joint meetings to discuss the affects of storm water in the quickly growing eastern section of town.

Later that year, the city signed a contract with Olsson Associates to undertake a detailed study and comprehensive plan.

In 2013, the Joint East Sidney Watershed Authority was created with representation from both the entities and tasked with implementing the plan.

On Tuesday, members heard an update on the project and possible funding sources.

Galen Wittrock, NRD assistant manager, said to move forward, the next step would be to enter into a contract with Olsson and Associates to begin the design and engineering phase, when a more detailed plan would be drafted.

Olsson and Associates engineer Carter Hubbard said although numerous grants had been applied for to help offset the cost of the construction, none had come through.

However, he said, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Equality offers grants at low interest rates that can be paid back over a number of years for projects like the one proposed.

The estimate for the bioswales and retention ponds is currently at $1.9 million, and an application for a loan of $1.892 million from the DEQ received preliminary approval this week.

Because the city had applied for the loan, it was up to councilors to decide whether or not to take it.

John Danforth, DEQ environmental assistance coordinator, said accepting the loan would not require the city to use the full amount.

Repayment would begin either three years after the contract is signed or construction is completed, he explained, and interest would only be paid on the amount taken out. The interest rate is set 2.25 percent, including a 1 percent administrative fee.

Sidney Mayor Mark Nienhueser said while he supported the project, he wanted a more detailed cost breakdown of the proposed project and also wondered where the money would come from for the biannual repayments once they kicked in.

“I don’t disagree with the loan at all,” he said. “The only question in my mind is do we have enough funding coming in to pay for this project?”

Wittrock said accepting the loan wouldn’t require the city to use it and approving the design engineering phase of the project would provide more information about the specific construction costs.

“This has been a great partnership,” the mayor responded. “I’m just trying to see the entire picture here, in regards to making sure we know what the project is and cost, and how to close the funding gap.”

City Council member Roger Gallaway made a motion to accept the loan and give Olsson and Associates the go ahead to begin the design engineering phase with the condition updates are made to the council on a regular and timely basis. Councilor Joe Arteburn seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0.

 

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