Due to a July 16 storm that left parts of Columbia under water, last week’s Columbia City Council meeting was largely devoted to how to manage flood risk in the city.

Columbia engineer Chris Smith was the keynote speaker at the Aug. 19 meeting, providing input on each business item on the agenda.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of a proposed hydraulic report by Millennia Professional Services for the upcoming roundabout project on Quarry Road at the intersection with Old Route 3 and Ghent Road.

Because the roundabout is in a flood plain and is close to Palmer Creek, Smith explained that the city must take some additional steps to meet requirements from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In order to obtain a flood protection permit from the IDNR, Smith said the city is “at the point where we need to be ready to go as soon as (IDOT) signs the structural plans for the roundabout.”

Second District Councilman Michael Lawlor asked if the report would give the city instructions on where to place the roundabout to avoid flooding like that seen in July.

Smith said the report would not dictate placement, but added that creating the roundabout could potentially reduce the frequency of severe flooding in the area.

Smith explained that the city will fill areas near the roundabout that will serve as “equalization storage” in the flood channel.

He also described the roundabout as a kind of “road diet”, meaning that its construction will reduce the road surface and therefore produce less runoff water.

Lawlor also noted that despite the “extraordinary event” of July 16, water levels in the area had receded within a relatively short period of time.

Smith added that there was “no way” to contain flooding of this kind, noting that in some areas road signs were submerged in up to a metre of water and that a nearby bridge on Ghent Road was approaching the “100-year” flood mark.

Depending on the results of the hydraulic study and the timing of approvals from all agencies involved, Smith suggested that work on the roundabout – which is located just west of Columbia’s first roundabout – could begin next summer.

Smith was also present as a speaker during a discussion on amending the city ordinance regarding final approval of site plans during the construction phase, particularly within subdivisions.

Columbia City Manager Doug Brimm told the City Council that recent rains, including flooding in July, have brought to the city’s attention the “performance of stormwater systems and drainage improvements in various neighborhoods.”

“Unfortunately, even after the torrential rains we have experienced, most recently the July 16 storm, we are faced with what appears to be an increasing number of concerns … regarding the City’s liability in dealing with flooding and other matters of this nature,” Brimm explained.

Brimm said internal discussions have resulted in a proposed change to language in the final site plan approval that would clarify the city’s role in the process, using the City of Waterloo as an example of how Columbia could proceed.

“Our southern neighbor has a fairly clear and concise statement that must be included before inclusion in the final site plans. It defines the city’s role in reviewing calculations that are presented to us, let’s face it, sealed and stamped by a licensed, professional engineer working on behalf of various developers,” Brimm continued.

The proposed amendment to Columbia’s zoning code would include a disclaimer stating that the city “assumes no liability for improperly designed or constructed drainage facilities.”

Smith also commented on the matter.

“(The city does) a cursory review, but you can’t go through a 200-page document,” Smith began. “The other day, a developer basically told me, ‘You approved it. Not my problem.’ But that’s not how it works… Ultimately, the liability lies with the engineer who seals and signs the plans.”

Smith also explained that there are several other disclaimers and mechanisms in place related to the creation of drainage systems and easements in the city that relieve them of responsibility.

Mayor Bob Hill reported similar experiences when speaking to people about current water problems.

“At the community we meet with south of the city, every single one said, ‘Well, you agreed to this. Now we have flooding problems,'” Hill said.

While Hill did not admit guilt, he said the city would likely be held responsible in this particular case.

“If you go back and look at the last property where there was supposed to be a culvert and it was completely removed – different engineer – then (the city) is probably now going to be responsible for paying for some kind of drainage solution because one of the developers went bankrupt and the other one is pretty much in the same situation.”

District IV Councilman Steve Holtkamp, ​​when reviewing the final plans, suggested the words “review” and “acceptance” instead of “approval.”

The amendment to the regulation will be discussed at one of the next meetings.

The other item to consider was a simple request to change the zoning plan, but water was again an issue.

The property owners on Quarry Road want to convert the property from category A-1 for agricultural purposes to category R-3 single-family residential in order to build a house on it.

The proposal received unanimous approval from the Columbia Planning Commission.

Jim Lansing, the father of one of the property owners, was present last Monday.

He explained that if the zoning change is approved, the owners would essentially be waiting for FEMA’s new flood maps to be released in order to build. Part of the property is currently in a flood zone, although it is expected to no longer be included in the flood zone on the new maps.

Lansing also personally thanked Smith for his work and answering questions about the various requirements for building on the property.

“He’s got a lot on his plate and I just want to say that (Smith) has guided us and done a great job of getting us through it.”

The next meeting of the Columbia City Council will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd, beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall.