DeKalb City officials are considering the prioritization of about 30 stormwater management projects needed to improve flooding conditions in the city.

Ron Naylor, director of public works, said the cost of the projects total more than $13 million, and more projects might be added to the list.

City Manager Mark Stevens asked the council at a special meeting Monday to consider the importance of stormwater management projects and how to prioritize projects.

“If the council gives us direction, we (city staff) can bring projects that meet the criteria (established by the council),” Stevens said.

Costs, levels of storm protection and the extent of problems are among criteria that could be used to prioritize projects, Stevens said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Steve Brody said stormwater management is a priority. “I’m not so sure I come to grips …with where (water management) fits in (with other projects),” he said.

Second Ward Alderman Michael Welsh said, “I think we (council) would be negligent if we didn’t set up something (to solve water problems).”

Welsh suggested the city pay 50 percent of stormwater improvements and residents pay the rest. He said residents could have projects done sooner if they agreed to pay 75 percent of the cost.

Third Ward Alderman William Hanna said “throwing money” at the problem is not the answer. He said projects which would protect individual homes from flooding would be cheaper than “engineering” projects. The major issue is keeping water out of people’s basements, he said.

The maintenance of storm sewers and the planned growth of the system are important issues to consider, Fifth Ward Alderwoman Bessie Chronopoulos said. “No matter what route we (council) take, …I think those two items should be built in.”

Stevens said the budget for projects is limited. Possible funding sources include reducing costs in other areas, increasing revenues and financing.

educing costs to pay for storm management might mean less money for street repairs, police, fire and other city services, Stevens said. Revenues could be increased through tax increases or special assessment districts, he said. Financing would come through federal or state grants which are unlikely sources, he said.

Stevens said the council has established Lucinda Avenue and North Greek Row street repairs as priorities if grants are obtained.

Assistant City Manager Gary Boden said the 6uu inches of rain that fell on Aug. 14 was “the biggest one-time rainfall in history. (Rain) came down so fast, retention systems could not handle that particular rainfall,” he said.

The flood cost the city about $25,000 for employee overtime, equipment and materials, Boden stated in a memo to Stevens.

City staff will use input from council members to determine which projects should be brought before the council for consideration.

The council will meet again on Nov. 30 to discuss sanitary sewer issues.