City leaders have agreed to spend $34,400 for drainage improvements in the Heritage Run subdivision south of Calhoun Avenue.
“This design contract is the first step of many in addressing the long-standing drainage problem in this area of the city,” said City Manger Greg Kisela.
The contract will be with Destin-based Jenkins Engineering, Inc., and would be for the design of an automated pump system. As part of the contract, Jenkins will also complete a preliminary stormwater analysis, limited topography survey work, engineering drawings and specifications and permitting coordination for the actual pump system.
Drainage and outfall improvements were made in the Heritage Run neighborhood back in 2004 after significant flooding, according to city documents. It’s also noted that more than a dozen homes in this area have floor elevations below the current Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone elevation.
After receiving a grant just a few years ago, the city was able to replace the manual floodgate with an automatic Tideflex valve at the outfall. The Tideflex valve opens at a certain pressure, which allows stormwater to drain from the basin at normal tides and water levels. It also prevents stormwater from entering the basin.
Based on city documents, the Tideflex system has “proven inadequate” during conditions where there is storm surge, or if water levels in the Choctawhatchee Bay are elevated, coupled with simultaneous rain events. Portable pumps have been used in these situations to help relieve the flooding.
During Monday night’s City Council meeting, Councilman Rodney Braden asked if city staff could draft up a design for the pump instead of spending the money to hire an outside company. Braden was told that City Engineer David Campbell was capable of the task, but it would take him away from his day-to-day work.
Braden was the lone “no” vote, as the contract was approved 6-1.