The Clearwater City Council Monday debated different solutions to  drainage issues at Clearwater Estates.

 

At last month’s meeting, about a dozen residents from the Estates approached the council about flooding problems concerning a holding pond near their properties.

 

The holding pond was modified in 2013. At the time, the city’s engineer suggested adding an outlet pipe from the pond to the Mississippi River. However the pipe wasn’t included in the final project.

 

Since that time there have been flooding issues, especially in the spring. Last month, residents asked the council to reconsider the original modification and add the outlet pipe.

 

Last month, the council directed Engineer Joe Pelawa to draw up a few options for running a pipe to the river.

 

Monday Pelawa presented the council with three different routes for the pipe and the estimated cost for the project.

 

The least costly is a shorter route that takes the pipe to the west. The two other options involve digging up the Goldfinch Lane right of way and running a pipe to the east. 

 

Pelawa estimated the cost for the western route (Option C), which would require 425 feet of 36” pipe and 193 feet of 30” pipe at $188,090.

 

Option A runs a pipe from the pond, east along Goldfinch Lane and empties into the river. That option also includes stormwater drain access points on Goldfinch Lane and Bluebird Lane. Pelawa said if that option was chosen, it would need to include a separate stormwater pond near the outlet, which isn’t included in the cost of $360,630.

 

Option B is similar to Option A, running along Goldfinch Lane. But it only allows for stormwater access on Goldfinch and not Bluebird Lane. The cost for Option B is $296,360.

 

The council discussed the merits of each option. No matter which is chosen, the city would pick up a portion of the cost, since about 46 acres from the Main Street storm sewer drains to the pond. The remainder will likely be paid by residents at the Estates.

 

The council directed Administrator Kevin Kress to present the options to residents at the Estates for their input.

 

An alternative option discussed by the council  would be not to install a pipe, but to pump the existing holding pond periodically.