HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-009 Sponsored by: Meszaros
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-009
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AUTHORIZING MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$135,000 TOWARDS THE CITY'S SHARE OF FUNDING FOR THE
JAPANESE CREEK FEASIBILITY STUDY, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS
WHEREAS, Seward was built by diverting the two rivers that created our alluvial fans:
Lowell Creek was diverted by the diversion tunnel and Japanese Creek was diverted 90 degrees
to the north by a levee built following the 1986 and 1995 flood events; and
WHEREAS, the Seward City Council has adopted federal and state legislative priority
lists for many years, seeking federal and state funds to create a Japanese Creek Drainage Area
Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Japanese Creek levee now protects over $140 million in infrastructure,
including all three of our borough schools, city power plant, and Providence Mountain Haven
elder care facility; and
WHEREAS, the Japanese Creek has a history of stream damming and surge-release
floods. Debris-laden flood events have been reported 11 times in the last five decades, with
major flood events in 1986, 1995, 2006, and 2012; and
WHEREAS,the most recent study found the levee could be overtopped and breached in
a 10 to 20 year flood event. In the event of a landslide in the canyon, and a subsequent debris-
laden surge release, flows would have an unpredictable flow path and could cause severe and
possibly catastrophic damages along the alluvial fan; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the feasibility study is $900,000, with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) providing $450,000 towards this. The three local partners are to
provide the $450,000 match: the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor is in support of providing a
$135,000 match and a resolution will go before the assembly in February, 2020; and the Seward
Bear Creek Flood Service Area has allocated $180,000 of its funds; and
WHEREAS, following the feasibility study, construction of the selected preferred
alternative will require a local match of up to 35%. The feasibility study on its own will provide
important information regarding the current status of the levee and alternatives for flood risk
mitigation and sediment management.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-009
Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes a City matching contribution of$135,000
toward the Japanese Creek Feasibility Study.
Section 2. Funding in the amount of$135,000 is hereby appropriated from the Capital
Acquisition Fund reserves account no. 80010-0000-3710-0000-80117 to the project contracted
services account no.80117- 0000-7009.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
27th day of January, 2020.
T Y F SE ' , ALASKA
Christy T rry, M r
AYES: Osenga, Baclaan, Butts, McClure, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seese, Lane
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda . a 1 , MMC
City Clerk
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 27, 2020
To: City Council
Through: Scott Meszaros, City Manager
From: Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director
Agenda Item: A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Seward, Alaska,
Authorizing Matching Funds in The Amount Of$13 5,000 Towards the
City's Share ofFunding for The Japanese Creek Feasibility Study, and
Appropriati ds
BACKGROUND & 3-USTIFICATION:
The Seward City Council has adopted federal and state legislative priority lists for many years,
seeking federal and state funds to create a Japanese Creek Drainage Area Improvement Plan.
Seward was built by diverting the two rivers that created our alluvial fans. Lowell Creek was
diverted by the diversion tunnel and Japanese Creek was diverted 90 degrees to the north by a
levee built following the 1986 and 1995 flood events. Japanese Creek has a history of stream
damming and surge-release floods. Debris-laden flood events have been reported 11 times in
the last 5 decades with major flood events in 1986, 1995, 2006, and 2012. The most recent
study found the levee could be overtopped and breached in a 10 to 20-year flood event. In the
event of a landslide in the canyon, and subsequent debris laden surge release, flows would have
an unpredictable flow path and could cause severe and possibly catastrophic damages along the
alluvial fan.
The Japanese Creek levee now protects over $140 million in infrastructure, including all three
of our borough schools, city power plant, and Providence Mountain Haven elder care facility.
The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board has determined Japanese Creek levee as
their number one priority for risk mitigation. In 2010, the City requested assistance from the
USACE under the Continuing Authorities Program Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act,
as amended. In 2013, the US Army Corps of Engineers completed a $1 OOK preliminary study
and authorized the project to progress to the feasibility study phase. In 2019, the Borough
Mayor, Seward City Manager and SBCFSA board chair requested the USACE move forward
with the feasibility study and agreed to share the cost of the required funding match.
The estimated cost of the feasibility study is $900K, with the USACE providing $450K towards
this. The three local partners are to provide the $450K match. The Kenai Peninsula Borough
Mayor is in support of providing a$135,000 match and a resolution will go before the assembly
in February and the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area has allocated$180,000 of its funds.
Following the feasibility study, construction of the selected preferred alternative will require a
local match of up to 35%.
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INTENT
This $ 135,000 contribution will be used to conduct a feasibility study that will provide important
information regarding the current status of the levee and alternatives for flood risk mitigation and
sediment management.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
Comprehensive Plan (2030, approved by Council May 30, 2017) x
14 Natural Hazards 14.2 14.2.3 (Pages 31 &32)
2. Strategic Plan (Approved by Council Resolution 99-043): x
3. Other x
FISCAL NOTE:
Matching funds for this study will be appropriated from the Capital Acquisition Fund. Current
reserve levels in this fund are just over$1.6 million.
,---Approved by Finance Department —1 �
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No Not Applicable—X
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council approves Resolution 2020- 009 Authorizing Matching Funds in The Amount Of
$135,000 Towards the City's Share of Funding for The Japanese Creek Feasibility Study, and
Appropriating Funds.
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