Utilities report flags flood risk to wastewater plant; transportation projects and pavement scores highlighted

Utility and transportation staff briefed council on quarterly operations, active projects and a recent flood event that prompted hazard-mitigation priorities.

Staff said a December high-elevation flood threatened to overtop areas near the wastewater treatment plant and could have reached critical electrical and control rooms. ‘‘At that elevation, floodwaters would have poured over into our wastewater treatment plant. It would have flooded out our MBR Control Room, or electrical room ... so the number one item that we are putting on our hazard mitigation plan is to get a … retaining wall that goes around the plant,’’ the presenter said. The columbarium delivery was noted, but concrete work is delayed by winter weather and the unit remains in storage.

On construction and design, staff reported five utility projects currently in construction, three in design (including the water treatment plant expansion and Lift Station 11) and several transportation projects in construction or near completion (74th Avenue Trail, pavement-preservation projects, roundabouts and a pickleball court in Jensen Park). Staff said the city's pavement overall condition index rose from a low of about 65 in 2013 to roughly 84 under the current pavement-preservation program.

Staff said they manage 14 active grants and are awaiting notices on two pending applications, including additional SRF loan support for the water treatment plant expansion. They also described partnerships with the Snohomish Conservation District for riparian restoration and stormwater outreach and said the district had applied for state riparian restoration grant funds to work on the Stillaguamish River corridor near city wetlands.

Council requested the Snohomish Conservation District give a presentation on their work; staff said a local-agency agreement item will come to council and they could invite district staff to report.