Unidirectional Flushing Project

What is UDF?

Unidirectional flushing (UDF) is an industry standard water system maintenance practice used to systematically scour, clean, and improve the carrying capacity of the water distribution system. Unidirectional refers to the fact that during the cleaning, water is only flowing in one direction. UDF involves strategically closing valves and opening specific hydrants to direct water through a designated pipe, while producing controlled scouring velocities to remove accumulated deposits. UDF must be implemented using a systematic plan in order to ensure safe and efficient flushing of the distribution system.

What will the UDF Project accomplish?

Public Works is seeking professional services to develop a UDF plan. The UDF plan is to include field journals in which identify locations and processes to implement flushing activities and meet minimum scour velocities while maintaining minimum system pressure during the flushing sequence.

The plan is to include field testing and data analysis to determine appropriate practices to protect aging piping, divide the network into flushing zones, define the prioritization and progression between these zones, and develop flushing sequences for each zone in the form of flushing field journals.

Why is the City doing the UDF Project?

Once the UDF plan is developed, Public Works will be able to implement a routine UDF program as an asset management/routine maintenance program serving as an effective method for cleaning and flushing out pipes, which greatly improves their capacity as well as the overall operation and longevity of the distribution system. More specifically, unidirectional flushing ensures that the system is flushed with clean source water and that high flushing velocities are achieved. This helps reduce sediment, biofilm, and corrosion products, which improves water quality as well as the overall operation of the water system and allows field crews to identify inoperable valves and hydrants.

The Public Works Dept. will issue an RFP for the UDF Project in November of 2023, a contract will be brought before City Council at the February 13, 2024 meeting for approval. 

The W. Clackamas Project was engineered to correct restricted flow in the existing sanitary sewer line.  The City of Gladstone with guidance from DEQ has worked to identify and correct deficiencies in our sanitary system in an effort to reduce future Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO).  Protecting our surrounding waterways is and will remain a priority for the City of Gladstone and the Public Works Department.  With our recent heavy rains, we did not experience a Sanitary Sewer Overflow which is a positive situation for the City. We are confident these infrastructure improvements will have a substantial part in reducing/ preventing future Sanitary Sewer Overflow’s.

The W. Clackamas Project replaced 300 ft. of sanitary sewer line, 100 ft. of water line and 100 ft. of storm line, providing new infrastructure in the project area. Bringing this project to a close included fully repaving the section of W. Clackamas Blvd. from Arlington to approximately 335 W. Clackamas Blvd.  This portion of the project raised the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of this section of W. Clackamas Blvd. from its prior rating of 56 to a 100, which is significant to our Pavement Management Plan (PMP).

If you have questions regarding this project please contact our office @ 503.656.7957 or via email @ PWOffice@ci.gladstone.or.us 

Infiltration & Inflow Project (I/I)

A Notice of Award was issued on February 14, 2024 to Braun Construction & Design LLC.  The City of Gladstone looks forward to working Braun Construction to complete phase 1 & 2 of the Infiltration and Inflow project.  Staff will be working to get an executed contract in place in the coming weeks.  A Notice to Proceed will be issued once all pre-construction requirements have been met.

The City of Gladstone has a longstanding history of Oregon Department Environmental Quality (DEQ) violations pertaining to raw sewage overflowing into the Clackamas River.  Violations that have been a result of stormwater Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) into the city’s sewer collection system.

 As part of a Mutual Agreement Order (No. WQ/M-NWR-2019-038) between DEQ and the City of Gladstone; DEQ granted the city time to correct our system deficiencies. To date the City has met all obligations with DEQ.

In May 2019 the City contracted with Leeway Engineering to complete field work which included smoke testing and CCTV investigations, the findings from the field work was used to prepare the final I&I report for DEQ.

In April 2022 the City Council approved a contract with Leeway Engineering to design the I&I Reduction Project. Leeway Engineering is in the final design stages of the work that needs to be completed by January of 2024.

The City of Gladstone recently requested an extension to the deadline for the I/I project, DEQ has granted this extension.  The City issue a second Request for Proposal in November 2023 and will bring a contract before City Council in early 2024 for approval.  

Evergreen Lane Storm Drain Project 

A Notice to Proceed  was issued on March 27, 2024 to SLE, Inc.  Construction on the Evergreen Lane Storm Drain Project will begin in early April, surveying of the area is underway and residents in the area will begin to see construction crews mobilizing the last week of March.  Notifications have been provided to residents. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the Evergreen Lane Storm Project?

The project involves the replacement of 393 feet of failed 18” storm line, which is the last segment of the stormwater conveyance system contributing to the Evergreen Lane stormwater outfall, which is currently severely obstructed by a large tree. The project will also involve the installation of maintenance access manholes and a relocation of the outfall to a conveniently accessible location where it may flow freely. 

What Will the Evergreen Lane Storm Project Accomplish?

The project will provide functionality and longevity to a critical segment of the stormwater conveyance system, increase system flow capacity, improve water quality and reduce adverse effects from storm events. The project will add maintenance access manholes and a formal outfall that may be accessed for inspection/maintenance.

Why is the City doing the Evergreen Lane Storm Project?

The 18” Evergreen Lane stormwater piping segment to be replaced has deteriorated to failure and lacks proper maintenance access, which has caused flooding and sinkholes in the past. Replacement of this critical infrastructure is necessary to ensure stormwater system functionality, water quality and reduce adverse effects from storm events.

The Public Works Dept. will issue an RFP for the Evergreen Lane Stormline Project in January of 2024, wtih a contract being brought before City Council at the March 12, 2024 meeting.

This project has been completed:   Cornell is now two-way to E. Clackamas, a bike lane has been added and a new ADA ramp at Harvard and E. Clackamas. This will definitely improve the transportation pattern in this area.  

Proposed Downtown Gladstone Zoning Code Amendments

In 2017, the City of Gladstone adopted the Downtown Revitalization Plan, which serves as a framework for actions that the City intends to undertake to promote a thriving, walkable, mixed use downtown Gladstone.  Among the key elements of the Plan are a series of recommended revisions to development regulations, with the intended to encourage medium density, mixed use development along the Portland Avenue Corridor.  The City’s vision entails new development featuring ground floor shops and restaurants, with housing on upper floors serving a variety of household types and income levels. 

The City has retained MIG (a local planning firm) to draft the code amendments and related revisions to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, to implement the Downtown Revitalization Plan.  The proposed regulations affect such things as increased building height and density; reduced parking requirements; restrictions on ground floor use; and design guidelines intended to foster a traditional “Main Street” character along Portland Avenue.

The City will be holding several hearings and other events where the general public can learn about the proposed code changes.  Below is a list of these events:

• Tuesday June 21, 2022 6:30 p.m., Gladstone Planning Commission Work Session on the proposed code changes.  No testimony will be taken, but the public is invited to attend either in person (at Gladstone City Hall, 18505 Portland Avenue) or by Zoom (go to: https://www.ci.gladstone.or.us/bc-pc/page/planning-commission-meeting-69 for Zoom information). CANCELLED RESCHEDULED TO JULY 19, 2022
• Wednesday June 29, 2022 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Community Open House at the Gladstone Senior Center (1050 Portland Avenue).  All are welcome to this event.  Attendees can discuss the proposed amendments with representatives from MIG as well as City staff.  They may also fill out a survey to submit their opinions and input.
• Tuesday, July 19, 2022 5:30 p.m. Gladstone Planning Commission Work Session on the proposed code changes.  No testimony will be taken, but the public is invited to attend in person (Gladstone City Hall, 18505 Portland Avenue) or by Zoom  
• Tuesday August 16, 2022 6:30 p.m., Gladstone Planning Commission Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify at this hearing (either in person or by zoom). (Postponed to October 18th)
• Tuesday September 13, 2022 6:30 p.m., Gladstone City Council Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify in person or by zoom. (Postponed to November 8th).
• Tuesday October 18, 2022 6:30 p.m. Gladstone Planning Commission Public Hearing. (Postponed to November 15th)
• Tuesday, November 8, 2022 6:30 p.m. Gladstone City Council Public Hearing. (Postponed to December 13th)
• Tuesday, November 15, 2022 6:30 p.m. Gladstone Planning Commission Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify at this hearing (either in person or by zoom).
• Tuesday, December 13, 2022 6:30 p.m. Gladstone City Council Public Hearing. Members of the public may testify in person or by zoom. (Postponed to January 17, 2023 Planning Commission meeting)
• Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Gladstone Planning Commission Public Hearing. Members of the public may testify in person or by Zoom. (Postponed to February 21, 2023)
• Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Gladstone City Council Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify in person or by Zoom. (Postponed to March 14, 2023)
• Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Gladstone Planning Commission Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify in person or by Zoom.
• Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Gladstone City Council Public Hearing.  Members of the public may testify in person or by Zoom.

Below please see documents related to this effort.  Please feel free to follow this web page for updates.