City moves forward with Lake Boren flooding mitigation plan
June 3, 2011
The City Council has directed city staff members to move forward with a plan aimed at mitigating flooding from Lake Boren.
The lake’s water level rises in winter, flooding residents’ basements and yards on the north end of the lake.
China Creek roared into the north end of Lake Boren in December 2010 with heavy rain, flooding residents’ properties and dumping a slew of gravel and sediment on their lawns. By Tim Pfarr
City staff members presented a draft scope of work at the May 13 council meeting, seeking feedback regarding how to proceed with the project. The staff members proposed collecting data from the lake and identifying ways to mitigate the lake level.
In addition to addressing flooding on the north end of the lake, the draft said the project would also include exploring ways to make the north end of the lake more accessible.
Parks upkeep to be funded next year
December 2, 2010
The City Council amended the 2011 preliminary budget to include $62,000 for parks maintenance, as the budget had previously called for maintenance of the city neighborhood parks to be discontinued.
The amendment was one in a string of more than a dozen approved by the council.
The council also approved a 1 percent property tax hike, although it also voted to reduce storm water fees by about $36 per household. Through the combination, those with homes worth less than about $1.5 million will see a reduction in taxes.
New storm water management projects approved
December 2, 2010
The City Council approved 10 new capital projects aimed at alleviating major storm water problems in the city, such as erosion and roots in pipes.
The projects, which together cost $700,000, will be completed throughout the coming years. The city will pay for the projects as it goes.
The 2011 preliminary budget calls for four of the projects to be completed next year. The first is a $50,000 project aimed at controlling water levels on Lake Boren, as the lake floods homes on the northern side of the lake during the fall and winter.
