Aldermen Look At Stormwater, Paving And More

By ERIC X. VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

The Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen convened in a work session on Dec. 9, 2021, with four topics on the agenda.

Those topics were a possible engineering study, an update on newly drafted farm lease projects, putting together the finalized list of projects as part of the 2022 street repaving program and a possible memorial to former aldermen John Stuppy.

City Administrator Happy Welch gave an update on the progress of addressing stormwater issues during telephone interview with the Herald.

Welch said the city has drafted a request for qualifications (RFQ), which will be sent out to various engineering firms in an attempt to gauge interest on performing the work.

The RFQ will be distributed next week. Welch aims to have a response back by some point in February, and possibly begin negotiations on a deal by the end of March or early April.

It’s expected the stormwater engineering study will not encompass the entire city; however, certain areas already have been targeted.

A top priority has been established, along the South Gabouri Creek, including streets such as Market, Ridgeway and Washington.

Also on the list are areas from Cedar Lane to Center Drive, on Missouri State Highway 32, and the International Subdivision (Linn, Scott, Audubon, LaRose and Austin Streets).

Stormwater concerns have been a featured topic at board of aldermen meetings for the past six months – stemming from historical rains the city received last summer. One heavy rain event flooded Shuh & Sons Plumbing and Heating, Inc., on Center Drive.

“We need to move forward with something,” said Ward 4 Alderwomen Ashley Armbruster said. Armbruster represents the International Subdivision.

Welch noted the city has a stormwater line item in its yearly budget. There could be a boost in funding for it moving forward for future fiscal years.

A stormwater study will examine hydrology, observe current choke points and list possible solutions. The board has requested an exhaustive search for possible engineering firms to tackle the city’s stormwater issues.