HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Commitment of funds from 2016/17 General Fund for North River Valley Low Head Dam Improvements Project RESOLUTION NO. 17-117
RESOLUTION APPROVING COMMITMENT OF FUNDS FROM
FY 2016/17 GENERAL FUND AVAILABLE BALANCE FOR
NORTH RIVER VALLEY LOW HEAD DAM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS, the City of Ames constructed a low-head dam in 1984 in order to create a pool
of water in the primary recharge zone for the City's Downtown Well Field, providing a means to
increase the capacity of these wells during periods of drought; and,
WHEREAS, while the City has never promoted recreation at the dam, it is evident that the
low head dam attracts members of the public who use the area for recreation, and low head dams can
pose a serious hazard due to the recirculation effect which occurs immediately downstream; and,
WHEREAS, a project to improve the safety of this piece of infrastructure that is critical to
the overall management of the Ames drinking water supply was first proposed in 2008; the design
has undergone several changes since 2008, which expanded the project to provide additional aquatic
and recreational benefits, but that also increased the cost of the project; and,
WHEREAS, In April 2016, RiverRestoration org was awarded a contract in the amount of
$102,499 to begin design on the project, and prior to the start of design, staff hosted a stakeholder
input meeting where representatives from the Skunk River Paddlers, Iowa Department of Natural
Resources, Prairie Rivers of Iowa, Parks & Recreation Commission, and an adjacent property owner
were able to learn about the project and help develop a list of project goals beyond the first and
foremost goal of improved safety; and,
WHEREAS, River Restoration prepared three alternatives for the project: Alternative A is
a project that addresses only the safety concern and is within the scope of current project funds
available (in the estimated amount of $347,500); Alternative B allows for additional in-channel
improvements that create two separate flow paths to allow aquatic species passage in all flow levels
and boat passage during certain flow levels in the South Skunk River (the idea behind this alternative
was to reduce costs compared to Alternative C and potentially allow the bank improvements to be
done at a later date but finish all the in channel improvements to meet some secondary project
objectives in addition to safety) (in the estimated amount of$537,500; and, Alternative C is the full,
completed vision for the project that includes both in-channel improvements and bank improvements
(this alternative meets all the primary and secondary objectives of the project) (in the estimated
amount of$844,500); and,
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2016, staff hosted a public meeting on the project, presenting
the three alternatives, and those in attendance showed tremendous support for Alternative C,
knowing that funding the project could be challenging and could result in a delay as additional finds
were raised; and,
WHEREAS, staff has submitted multiple grant applications to both state and federal
programs; recently, staff was notified that the City will receive an additional$112,901, which brings
total grant funding secured to date for the project to $288,901; and,
WHEREAS, the funding shortfall is $279,599; and,
WHEREAS, in order to best leverage grant funding, staff is recommending that $150,000
of the FY 15/16 available balance in the General Fund be allocated to the North River Valley Park
Low Head Dam Improvements Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the approval of Alternative C with the commitment of$150,000 from the FY 2016/17 General
Fund available balance to the North River Valley Low Head Dam Improvements is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 7`' day of March, 2017.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Nelson
Seconded by: Corrieri
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin,Nelson, Orazem
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 7`" day of March, 2017.