FIGHTING THE FLOODS

City to spend $50M on fix

Windsor city council on Monday agreed to commit $5 million annually for the next 10 years in hopes of receiving some matching funds from the federal government to address ongoing flooding woes in Riverside.

The city has previously applied with some success under the government’s Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF) that was created to aid municipalities with flooding issues due to high water levels and the ongoing increase of major storm events.

The city received $32.1 million in 2018 under the DMAF program to help fund $90-million worth of projects in Riverside.

Council has now approved another application to DMAF under which it has identified roughly $80 million needed for additional projects to address high-water levels on the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair that continue to haunt property owners anywhere close to the shoreline along the city’s east end, Riverside and East Riverside.

Identified under the application are new pumping stations, storm sewer upgrades and flood protection barriers.

If successful, the city would receive up to $27 million from the federal government to help pay for the projects. Council under the application has agreed to commit $5 million annually for the next 10 years as its share toward the identified projects as required under the DMAF program.

Given the high price tag, the desired projects identified by the city range from those being done immediately, while others are up to eight years away — even if DMAF funds are secured.

Ward 6 Coun. Jo-anne Gignac, who represents the area, asked administration whether any of the projects can be accelerated, given the ongoing struggles caused by high water levels and storms.

“The short answer is yes,” said Mark Winterton, the city’s engineer. “But some projects are pretty major and require a lot of advance planning. If we can advance them we will, but that depends on funding and appropriate engineering.”

The city will still push forward with the identified infrastructure projects even if DMAF funds are unable to be secured, he said. Administration will return to council in short order to pursue other similar grants under either the provincial or federal governments to help support the flooding-related projects in that end of the city.

Ward 10 Coun. Jim Morrison said council’s commitment — earmarking $5 million a year for the next 10 years for flooding issues — illustrates its ongoing efforts to address resident concerns.

“We are spending huge amounts on flood mitigation,” he said. “Hopefully, this shows people the level we are working on this.”