R98-135 ACCEPTING AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT

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► ' ' � r ��, Fc7 a G Y 7e '�(LINO�S October 19, 1998 PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDUM NO. 98-75 MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council ' FROM: James L.Williams, Jr., City Manager Bruce A. McNabb,Director of Public Works Stephen P. Swanson, P.E., City Engineer SUBJECT: City of Decatur Storm Water Plan Update City Project 9635 In 1965, the City of Decatur contracted with Warren& Van Pra�g, Inc. (WPI) to prepare a storm draina�e report for the City and its adjacent areas. WPI conducted investigations of the condition and capacities of the City's existing combined and separate storm sewer systems. This information and hydrologic analyses were used to develop master plan recommendations for new storm water improvements. The purpose of these improvements was to provide adequate drainage for undeveloped, partially developed and fully developed areas within and adjacent to the City's corporate limits. WPI's work involved the acquisition and development of a considerable amount of data and information. The result of WPI's work was the "Report on Storm Drainage for City of Decatur, Illinois" dated June, 1966. The 1966 report has and continues to serve as a useful resource to staff for evaluating storm water improvement problems and needs. However, the growth and changes that the City has experienced over the 30 years since the report was issued necessitates that the report be updated. The data, information and recommendations in the report have become outdated in many instances. Many factors used in preparin� the original recommendations have changed in the last 30 years. These factors include improvements the City has constructed; changing storm water management criteria, standards and practices; changing storm water quality and management regulations; and changing construction technology, equipment and costs. The update to the City's storm water master plan is important at this time for three basic reasons. The City's use of the plan for guidance and decision making relies greatly on the accuracy of the plan's data and information. Making decisions based on the interpretation and application of a 30 year old planning document may result in misdirecting the City's resources to cost effectively develop its storm water system to meet the City's present and future needs.