Council authorizes mayor to coordinate with Army Corps on flood-wall utility relocation

The Helena-West Helena City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute documents necessary for relocating utilities that would interfere with an Army Corps of Engineers flood-wall replacement.

Mr. Wilder, a city engineer, told the council that the Corps plans to replace a section of flood wall and that a sewer force main currently lies in the contractor’s work area. He said the Corps is prepared to fund the relocation and that the contractor could complete the relocation under Corps oversight, reducing or eliminating net cost to the city: "this would be reimbursable to you," he said.

The ordinance (labeled in the packet as ordinance 9 2026 and modeled on a 2020 measure) grants signatory authority to the mayor and was approved by roll call. Council members were told the contractor could not be released to start until the necessary authorizations and affidavits are signed.

The mayor and staff said they would forward the signed materials to the Corps promptly so the contractor can mobilize. The city attorney said the measure is identical to a 2020 ordinance that authorized similar action by a prior mayor.