TAMRMS#: B06
9.4
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Carrot Creek Erosion Protection Project
Presented by: Jordan Betteridge, Manager, Engineering Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Capital Charter STORMWT-021- Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control (Multiple Locations) be approved in the amount of $4,030,000 to be funded accordingly:
• $2,821,000 (70%) will be funded from the Drought and Flood Protection Program grant;
• $1,137,162 will be funded from the Storm Off-Site Levy Reserve; and
• $71,838 will be funded from the Offsite Levy Recovery Fund.
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SUMMARY
The purpose of the report is to seek Council approval for the capital project charter, STORMWT-021: Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control, and the associated project funding.
The City has been approved for a grant under the Drought and Flood Protection Program providing an opportunity for 70% of the total project costs to be grant funded.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In 2022, the City, in collaboration with the Town of Morinville and Sturgeon County, completed the Carrot Creek Regional Drainage Master Plan, funded through the Government of Alberta’s Community Partnership (ACP) Grant. The study’s desired outcome was to determine the regional approach for the responsible management of Carrot Creek to ensure long term viability for the drainage and stormwater management needs of the sub-region while also ensuring the ecological integrity of the creek. As part of this study, the project team completed geomorphic assessments of Carrot Creek and hydraulic modelling to develop recommendations that will support the sustainability of Carrot Creek. One of the end results was a list of recommendations for erosion protection improvements which were then packaged to form the basis of the proposed Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control Project.
Some of the notable hazards observed during the geomorphic assessments of Carrot Creek include:
• Bank failures
• Broad floodplains prone to flooding
• Undercut banks and ongoing erosion
• Localized scouring around bridge crossings and culverts
• Channel degradation
In 2020, a flooding event occurred upstream of the CN Railway. An emergency response was required including over a dozen skid mounted pumps to mitigate the flood impacts.
The primary objective of the Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control project is to remediate and enhance long-term bank stability, reduce sediment loading, improve stormwater conveyance, and preserve riparian areas and creek integrity. This project will ensure the creek is more resilient to flood risks and protected against ongoing erosion and scouring. It will further safeguard critical infrastructure along the creek including road crossings and rail crossings. Ensuring the creek has stable banks will create conditions for the establishment of natural vegetation which will then further act to stabilize banks, reduce erosion risks, and act as natural flood control.
The Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control project is a leviable project (Storm Project 4). Although the primary objective of the project is to protect the creek against erosion and flood risks, there is a consequential benefit in ensuring the creek can continue to be used for reliable stormwater drainage system given the proposed improvements that may then enable 2.5 l/s/ha post development discharge rate (current allowable rate is 1.8 l/s/ha) in the future, which in turn benefits the future land development from having to build much reduced stormwater management facilities.
In 2024, Administration found alignment between the Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control project and a grant opportunity called the Drought and Flood Protection Program, offered by the Province.
The Government of Alberta approved the project for funding on March 25, 2025, in the amount of $2,821,000 representing 70% of the total project costs.
If this project charter is approved by Council, Administration will continue to work with the Province to formally secure the grant funding for this project.
The proposed funding for this project is:
1. Drought and Flood Protection Program (70%) $2,821,000
2. Storm Off-Site Levy Reserve (28%) $1,137,162
3. Offsite Levy Recovery Fund (2%) $ 71,838
TOTAL Project costs = $4,030,000
The City’s funding contribution through the Offsite Levy Recovery Fund is expected to be recovered to the City in 2026, during the next OSL Bylaw update meeting when the off-site levy recoveries disbursements are approved by Council.
Anticipated Project Timelines
1. Approval of the project charter and funding - April 15, 2025
2. Detailed Engineering - Q2 2025 to Q4 2025
3. Regulatory Approvals and Working Space Agreements - Q1 2026 to Q4 2026
4. Tender - Q1 2027 to Q2 2027
5. Construction - Q2 2027 to Q3 2028
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The Government of Alberta approved the project for provincial funding on March 25, 2025, in the amount of $2,821,000 representing 70% of the total project costs, contingent upon further funding approvals from City Council.
The project stakeholders will be engaged once the approval to proceed with the project is received.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Approving this charter will advance a project that will improve the resilience of Carrot Creek with the opportunity to have 70% of the project costs funded through the Drought and Flood Protection Program grant.
Financial:
If approved, $1,137,162 would be funded from the Storm Off-Site Levy Reserve and $71,838 will be funded from the Offsite Levy Recovery Fund. There are sufficient funds to cover these amounts.
The off-site levy project for the Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control (Storm Project 4) will be updated in next year’s Off-Site Levy updates. The expectation is that since 70% of the project costs will be reassigned to grant funding, that it will have a positive impact on the future Storm Levy rates.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The project, if approved, would construct primarily passive infrastructure improvements such as rip-rap, oversized culverts, or bio-engineered erosion protection. This project would be added to the City’s 10-year capital program and will be assigned to the Capital Projects Office (CPO) for implementation.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Cost estimates for construction have been based on concept-level master plans, and no formal engineering or design has occurred that would give more accurate cost estimates.
The project locations fall within Carrot Creek which will have Alberta Environment regulatory approval requirements, and any improvements will need to meet their standards and Codes of Practice.
Access to the creek locations may need to be accessed through private property, so temporary access agreements or working space agreements may need to be obtained.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Alignment with Strategic Priority: Adapting to a Changing Natural Environment
• The City conserves and protects natural resources
• Resilient built infrastructure is in place for future generations
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternative could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: Do nothing. This means Charter STORMWT-021 would not be approved and would not go ahead.
Financial:
Administration would inform the grant authority that the project will not be proceeding, and the grant may be rescinded.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The Carrot Creek Erosion and Sediment Control project would remain as a leviable future project and brought forward at a future date.
Administration would continue to monitor Carrot Creek for any significant impacts.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Continued unmitigated erosion risks to Carrot Creek.
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Report Date: April 15, 2025
Author(s): Jordan Betteridge, Tanya Hynes, Trevor Duley
Department: Engineering Services, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
Department Director: Dawny George
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher