City council approves mayor’s request for funds to pay for storm damage

The Colorado Springs City Council has approved the mayor’s request for an emergency supplemental appropriation ordinance for stormwater and parks repairs.

Council approved the $5 million request on May 26, 2015. The city says the money will be used to repair infrastructure damaged during severe weather between May 3 and May 12.

At the end of 2014, the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance was approximately $34 million, according to the city.

“This recent storm damage is an example of why it is essential to maintain an appropriate level in the city’s Emergency Reserves,” Bach said. “It allows us to address these significant and immediate needs our city is facing as the result of the severe weather we’ve been experiencing.”

The special appropriation will fund the following projects:

Public Works
Rockrimmon Channel – $2,000,000
Pebblewood – $750,000
S. Academy Blvd. box culvert collapse – $250,000
Cottonwood Creek grade control failure above Academy Blvd. – $350,000
Corrugated metal pipe failures (3) – $650,000
Total: $4,000,000

Parks
Pikes peak Greenway at El Pomar Youth Sports Complex – $365,000
Pikes Peak Greenway south of Janitell – $346,000 & $227,000
Foothills Trail in Garden of the Gods and Dakota Trail – $35,000
South Canon Trail – North Cheyenne Canon – $27,000
Total: $1,000,000

On May 18, Bach signed a local disaster declaration based on an estimated $8.2 million in damages to public infrastructure caused by heavy rain storms and flooding betweenMay 3andMay 12.