Williamsburg approves resolutions for Old Man’s Creek project

WILLIAMSBURG — A project that will improve water quality and prevent erosion of Old Man’s Creek is underway in Williamsburg. Engineering Firm HR Green, of Cedar Rapids, doesn’t expect the City to pay anything out of pocket for the project.

“When you borrow money from the state revolving fund …, you can pay them the interest, or they’ll give it back to you to do a water quality initiative,” Williamsburg City Manager Aaron Sandersfeld explained in December.

Williamsburg used money from that fund for the new wastewater plant and decided to use the interest money to improve Old Man’s Creek, the watershed that runs through the town.

HR Green began surveying the creek area years ago, but the project didn’t get underway until the end of last year.

The Williamsburg City Council approved a third amendment — in the amount of $38,700 — to its contract with HR Green Jan. 13 to cover bidding and construction supervision which was not included in the original contract.

The total agreement with HR Green stands at $194,600.

Matt Wildman, the project manager from HR Green, said last month that the firm has been working on the project since 2017. Bids came in favorably low, said Wildman.

Money will be available for bidding and construction, with $228,000 remaining after engineering costs.

The City could see more change orders, Wildman said; finding additional areas of erosion could add the cost of more grading.

But the money is available to pay for it, said Wildman. HR Green wants to maximize the money, but not go over, he said. HR Green doesn’t want the city to have to pay anything out of pocket.

The council also approved steam corridor and native prairie maintenance plans for the project last month.

The vegetation contractor, Stevenson Erosion Control out of Riverside, will take care of seeding Old Man Creek banks after work is completed, and will be responsible for weed control and mowing for the first four years after which the city will take over maintenance.

It’s a 20- to 30-year commitment for the city, said Sandersfeld.

Stevenson will seed the banks, evaluate the stand, control weeds, cut and stump treat woody species, conduct prescribed burns to stimulate native growth and control woody species, according to its contract with the city.

Brian Miller Excavating is responsible for stream corridor stabilization, inspecting to ensure that no erosion is occurring and installing erosion control measures as needed. It will monitor for muskrat burrowing that could destabilize the banks and for beaver dams that could impound water, causing problems with restricted storm sewer outflow or damage.

Miller Excavating will repair any erosion or damage to any rip rap, swales, bendway weirs and other structures and will reprove any log or debris jams or other obstructions that restrict or deflect flows that cause erosion, according to its contract with the city.

It will remove unwanted sediment from fish habitat and redirect flows to ensure that deposition doesn’t occur in these areas.

The city contracted with Miller Excavating for $416,438 and approved a change order in January to increase the contract by $11,800 for a temporary ditch crossing ($5,000) and additional construction survey ($300).

And additional $6,500 amended a mistake in Miller’s original bid, said Wildman.

“It’s kind of foolish not to make that entrance to town look nice,” said Councilman Tyler Marshall in approving change orders for the project.

The project will also improve water quality, cutting down the phosphorous in the creek, he said.