Administrative BriefCOMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 28 NO. 20 June 22, 2006
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM SHAWN O’LEARY
The thunderstorm and local area flooding last evening (Wednesday, June 21) provided vivid
reminders of the extensive storm drainage impr ovements made in this community since the
late 1990’s. Early reports this morning suggest that over two inches of rain fell in less than two
hours last evening, which equates to roughly a 10-year storm. The term “10-year storm” might
also be expressed as a storm that has a 10 percent likelihood of occurring in Salina at any
given time, based upon statistical weather data. Some minor local area flooding did occur, but
our enhanced storm drainage infrastructure performed well and our Flood Control staff
responded quickly and efficiently.
In May, 1996, Salina received over 7 inches of rain in less than three hours. Homes in south
Salina had flooded basements. Two local citizens were
electrocuted while dewatering their basement. The
intersection of Ohio Street and Magnolia Road was impassable
for three days. As a result, city staff and the City Commission
set out in December 1996 on the most significant storm
drainage improvement program since the flood control levee
was built in the late 1950’s. Some key elements of that
program, which paid dividends last evening, were:
Financing and completion of major infrastru cture projects such as the Schilling Drainage
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Project, Old Dry Creek Channel Rehabilitation, 9 and Claflin, South Broadway
Boulevard, South Ohio and Magnolia Road, South Marymount Road, the Slough,
Austin-Laurie-Eastgate Subdivisions and others.
Improved readiness of our Flood Control Div ision including two large portable pumps
(the “Godwins”) and other equipment, extra training, improved communications and
better protocols for emergency response.
Allocation of one mill of the City’s annual property tax revenue toward neighborhood
storm drainage improvement projects. The 2006 projects in this category include
downtown alley enhancements. This fund has provided debt financing for medium-
sized projects (up to $500,000) as well as roughly $100,000 per year for small projects.
Strengthening of the City’s development policies as they relate to storm drainage
systems. For instance, the design storm for private development projects was
increased from 10-year (10%) to 25-year (4%). Other design criteria enhancements
included basic urban standards as opposed to rural standards, including the
requirement for underground drainage in subdivisions rather than open ditches. Critical
drainage overlay districts were also created along South Ninth Street and east of South
Ohio Street to address pre-existing problem areas.
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Establishment of a 50/50 cost sharing pr ogram using special assessment financing for
neighborhoods that wish to enhance their storm drainage systems. The program has
been applied twice, once on South Eastborough Road and once on South Marymount
Road.
Those are just a few of the key storm drainage initiatives
championed by the City Commission from 1996 until now.
Millions of public dollars and countless staff hours have been
dedicated to those programs. It should be noted that the Public
Works Flood Control Division works hard every day to meet our
high standards and to be ready for the next, usually
unexpected, flood event like last evening’s storm. The
investment is certainly paying off for Salina’s citizens.
MONDAY'S MEETING:
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend the
meeting, please contact me.
2. The study session will begin at 3:45 p.m. with a citizens open forum only. An agenda is attached.
Jason A. Gage
City Manager