Due to a July 16 storm which caused parts of Columbia to be under three feet of water, much of last week’s Columbia City Council meeting focused on how to handle flood risks in the city.

Columbia Engineer Chris Smith was the featured speaker of the Aug. 19 meeting, providing input during each of the business items on the agenda.

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

Due to the roundabout  being in a floodway and its proximity to Palmer Creek, Smith explained there are some extra steps the city needs to take to satisfy requirements of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In order to obtain an IDNR floodway permit, Smith said the city was “at the point where we need to be ready to go as soon as (IDOT) signs off” on structural plans for the roundabout.

Ward II Alderman Michael Lawlor asked if the report would direct the city where to place the roundabout to avoid flooding similar to what happened in July.

Smith said the report will not dictate placement, but added the creation of the roundabout could potentially lessen the frequency of severe flooding in that area.

Smith explained the city will be filling in areas near the roundabout which will act as “compensatory storage” in the floodway.

He also described the roundabout as a “road diet,” meaning its creation will lessen the surface area of roadway, thereby producing less runoff.

Lawlor also noted that despite the “extraordinary event” of July 16, the water in that area did recede in a relatively short amount of time.

Smith added there is “no way to mitigate” flooding of that nature, pointing out that water in some areas submerged street signs up to three feet and was close to the “100-year” flood mark at a nearby bridge on Ghent Road.

Pending the results of the hydraulic study and timing of receiving approval from all agencies involved, Smith suggested work on the roundabout – located just west of Columbia’s first roundabout – could begin next summer.

Smith was also on hand to speak during a discussion of amending city code pertaining to final plat approval during construction, specifically within subdivisions. 

Columbia City Administrator Doug Brimm advised the council that recent rains, including the July flooding event, has brought the “performance of stormwater systems and drainage improvements in various subdivisions” to the city’s attention.

“Unfortunately, even beyond the torrential rains we’ve experienced, most recently with the July 16 storm, we have been encountering a seeming increase in the number of concerns… with the city’s liability in dealing with surface flooding and other matters of that nature,” Brimm explained.  

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

“Looking to our neighbor to the south, they have a rather clear, concise statement that is required to be included on final plats prior to recording, in that it really defines what the city’s role is in reviewing calculations that, let’s face it, are submitted to us sealed, stamped by a licensed, professional engineer working on behalf of various developers,” Brimm continued.

The proposed amendment to Columbia’s subdivision code would include a disclaimer noting the city “does not assume liability for any improperly designed or constructed drainage facilities.”

Smith also weighed in on the matter.

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

Smith also explained there are several other disclaimers and mechanisms built in to creating drainage systems and easements in the city which relieves it of responsibility.

Mayor Bob Hill reported similar experiences when speaking with people about recent water issues.

“The subdivision we’re meeting with south of town, every one of them said, ‘Well, you approved this. Now we’re having flooding issues,’” Hill said.

While not admitting fault, Hill said the city will probably be on the hook for that particular issue.

“If you go back and look at the last lot where a culvert was supposed to be and has been totally removed – different engineer – now (the city will) probably be responsible for paying for some sort of drainage solutions because one of the developers went bankrupt and the other one is pretty much in the same situation.”

Ward IV Alderman Steve Holtkamp suggested the words “review” and “acceptance” instead of “approval” when considering final plats. 

The ordinance amendment will be considered at a future meeting.

 The other item for consideration was a straightforward zoning change requirement, but water was once again an issue.

Property owners of a lot on Quarry Road are seeking to change a lot from A-1 agricultural to R-3 one-family dwelling in order to build a house.

The proposal received unanimous approval from the Columbia Planning Commission. 

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

He stated that if the zoning change were approved, the owners are basically waiting for the new FEMA flood maps to be released to build. Part of the property is currently in a flood zone, although it is expected to not be included in the flood zone on the new maps.

Lansing also thanked Smith personally for his work with answering questions about the various requirements for building on that lot. 

“He’s got a lot on his plate, and I just want to put it on record that (Smith) has given us guidance and done a wonderful job getting us through this.”

The next meeting of the Columbia City Council is Tuesday, Sept. 3, beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall.