Eureka officials have taken the first step toward preventing stormwater drainage problems.
The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Feb. 16 to amend the city’s contract with the engineering firm of Horner and Shifrin Inc. to identify potential stormwater projects.
The city entered into the contract with the St. Louis-based firm in 2018. It was hired to study possible flood prevention and mitigation measures.
City Administrator Craig Sabo said the city has paid the firm $303,559 to date, using money generated by Proposition E, a 1/2-cent sales tax to improve public safety that was approved by voters in April 2018.
The money generated by the sales tax will be used to build a new police station, replace the crumbling Allenton Bridge and address short- and long-term flood prevention and mitigation efforts.
Sabo said the city does not have an estimate on how much it will pay for the additional stormwater study that was approved in February, but he said it would not be a “significant amount” because it would involve preliminary engineering and generation of cost estimates for projects.
Sabo said fees will be based on hourly professional services.
Mayor Sean Flower said once projects are identified, each project would require board approval before the project moves forward.
Flower said if projects are approved, the resulting work will be paid for with money from the sale of the city’s water and sewer systems to Missouri American Water.
Voters approved the estimated $28 million sale of the water and sewer systems in August 2020.
“We’re at a point where Prop E is not limitless,” said Flower, who also said a large portion of Prop E money to be used for flood mitigation efforts will likely be used to build two flood walls.
Flower said he believes investing in “city assets” will be a “common theme” this year. He said he also hopes to complete several road projects this year.