2026 10 20 Council Meeting Packet

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These improvements illustrate the Plan's central conveyance -versus-storage issue. The Clark 
Street Bypass could increase peak discharge from the Leveck branch by nearly 300 percent during 
larger storms, while the Madison Avenue improvements could increase the overall Downtown 
system's 10 -year discharge to Oostanaula Creek from approximately 350 cfs to 679 cfs. 
Accordingly, the Plan estimates that approximately 34 acre -feet of detention distributed across 
multiple locations would be needed to bring the improved Downtown system's 10-year discharge 
back to approximately existing conditions. The identified locations are conceptual, and the City 
is encouraged to obtain equivalent storage in similar hydraulic locations as property becomes 
available. 
 
For Cook south via White Street, the first recommendation is optimization of the existing Cook 
Drive detention pond. Replacing its outlet structure is projected to reduce peak discharge by 
approximately 34 to 67 percent depending upon the storm event. Downstream, approximately 
1,955 linear feet of pipe improvements are recommended along North White Street and 
Washington Avenue. These improvements increase the system to approximately a 10 -year level 
of service and dramatically reduce the number of localized issues  during larger storms. To 
prevent the increased conveyance from simply transferring additional runoff to Oostanaula 
Creek, approximately 7.1 acre-feet of additional storage is recommended within the watershed, 
potentially using a combination of above ground and underground detention. 
 
The final section of the Masterplan is a proposed Capital Improvement Plan. Targeted future 
projects identified include Layman Road to Regional Park at approximately $4.9 million, Tellico & 
Towanda Trail at $1.4 million, Clark Street Bypass at $5.4 million, Madison Avenue Bypass at $8.1 
million, and North White Street at $3.9 million. These projects establish a preliminary future 
Capital Improvement Plan budget of approximately $23.7 million.  Regional Park dredging, 
Mayfield Regional Detention, and Cook Dr pond retrofits projects have already been funded and 
constructed and are excluded from the total. 
 
Council should understand that the  $23.7 million figure should not be interpreted as the City's 
total long -term stormwater liability. It excludes replacement of deficient bridges and other 
hydraulic structures along Oostanaula and North Mouse Creek, property acquisition, and the 
construction of the substantial detention storage recommended in Section 6. These  costs were 
intentionally not developed because final locations, property costs, and stormwater 
infrastructure remain site-specific and extremely variable. 
 
The Masterplan also notes  that establishment of a stormwater utility fee as the City's primary 
dedicated funding mechanism  is the critical piece to  advancing any significant improvements 
where dedicated r evenue would support capital improvements, aging/failing infrastructure 
replacements, MS4 compliance and administration of the stormwater program. While state and 
federal grants could serve as supplemental sources of funding, particularly for larger projects, a 
baseline funding mechanism established locally is essential.  The MS4 Utility Feasibility study is 
undergoing final revisions and will be provided to Council as well, but the primary considerations 
from its deliverables will need to be discussed at the next strategic planning sessions in February 
as part of the budgetary process. 
 
In summary, the Masterplan  establishes that Athens' stormwater challenges cannot be 
addressed through isolated pipe replacements or individual drainage projects  alone. The 
recommended strategy is a coordinated combination of conveyance improvements, detention 
20
Work Session 
October 12, 2026