UPDATE: Lincoln City Council puts stormwater improvement bond on May ballot

UPDATE:

On Monday, the Lincoln City Council unanimously voted to put a bond issue for stormwater drainage improvement on the May ballot.

The project would cost $9.9 million and would improve a number of drainageways around Lincoln, the largest being the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project.  Officials said that one would take around 500 homes and businesses north of UNL’s East Campus out of the 100–year floodplain.

They said business and homeowners would benefit from that because they wouldn’t need to have flood insurance.

“That could save those homeowners and property owners potentially anywhere between $450 and $2,400 per year,” Public Works and Utilities Assistant Director Donna Garden said.  “That’s a huge savings.”

Others said it would also encourage redevelopment in that part of town.

One property owner welcomed the idea of being taken out of the floodplain.

“When we purchased the property, the property was not in a floodplain,” Pam Brunke said “Over the years, as time passed, floodplain maps were redrawn…We are now in the floodway…We’re not allowed to add to the existing buildings or build on that vacant ground.”

The city council said such an issue should be put in the voters’ hands.

“Whether you agree with this or not, there are certain issues in our city that are important that the voters decide,” Councilman Roy Christensen said.  “And this is that kind of issue.”

Council members encourage you to take a close look at this issue.

It will be on the ballot on May 7.

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A big decision from the Lincoln City Council Monday

It’s adding a $10 million dollar stormwater drainage improvement bond to the May ballot.

The project would improve a number of drainageways around Lincoln, the largest being the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project.  Officials said that one would take around 500 homes and businesses north of UNL’s East Campus out of the 100–year floodplain.

They said business and homeowners would benefit from that because they wouldn’t need to have flood insurance.

“That could save those homeowners and property owners potentially anywhere between $450 and $2,400 per year,” Public Works and Utilities Assistant Director Donna Garden said.  “That’s a huge savings.”

Again, it’s a $10 million dollar bond and you the voters will decide on May 7 whether or not to approve it.