November Spillway Improvement Project Update

Here’s an update on developments since the last communication, August 30, 2023.

• Schedule – Construction began on October 9 with final completion expected in February 2024. Stone and landscape work will be performed from January through April 2024.
• Final Plans and Bids – The State of Kansas approved the final set of plans and issued a permit for the project. Meetings and on-site reviews occur frequently with key players including Olsson Engineering, Pyramid Contractors, utility partners, Q Inc. and Spillway Committee members.
• Utility Relocation –
• ~Evergy rerouted electrical service and has installed new poles on the west side of Renner, which significantly enhances the appearance.
• ~Kansas Gas is in the process of installing a new line that will be placed under the channel (as opposed to overhead where it is currently located) and should be completed by November 14. Kansas Gas developed and is implementing a plan to resolve the late discovery of a private gas line in the project area servicing the clubhouse, pro shop, farmhouse and golf maintenance buildings. These buildings are scheduled for new service connections with Kansas Gas, which will allow Q Inc. to abandon the private line and modernize the club utility infrastructure.
• ~Spectrum has relocated its service to the new poles.
• ~ATT has completed rerouting its services.
• ~WaterOne is in the process of replacing the waterline in the area and moving a fire hydrant.
• South Spillway Wall - Olsson Engineering performed borings at the end of October to determine a new wall design. Once a plan is agreed upon, we will coordinate the work as a change order with our existing general contractor. The work will be performed at the end of Olsson’s current project work. ‍
• Lake Level – The lake was lowered on October 3rd prior to commencement of construction in the channel. The gate was closed to dry the work site but recent rains have raised the lake approximately six inches above normal winter pool.   Discussions are underway about how to lower the lake back to winter pool level to facilitate homeowner seawall repairs. The primary sluice gate has been cleaned and repaired and no longer leaks.
• Project Financing – The City approved a bridge financing plan issuing temporary notes of $2.4 million. The financing was awarded to RCB, a regional Kansas bank, with a rate of 4.73% and no prepayment penalty. The City received the funds in mid-October and invested in short term CDs at a 5% interest rate with varying terms coinciding with cash flow requirements. Interest payments on the temporary notes will be funded through operating budgets until the notes come due in December 2025. At that time, the City will issue a tax-exempt municipal bond for both the spillway and the 40-acre land purchase. Homeowners will see the impact of the bond on  their individual property tax bills beginning in 2026.
• Land Reclamation – Q Inc. approved a plan to use debris from the project to improve useable land in the maintenance yard. The City benefits from reduced hauling and disposal cost and Q Inc. benefits from an enlarged and leveled yard with additional space for boat storage. To date, more than 100 truckloads of debris have been hauled to the site and graded; more material will be removed in the coming weeks.    
• Traffic Impact – Renner Road has experienced periodic lane and full closures when the road has been needed for site access. We expect traffic disruptions inside the gate in the area of Lakeshore West and Terrace Trail West near the dam when Water One completes the line replacement. We don’t anticipate additional disruption until the spring when work will begin on the south wall replacement and bridge repair.

Spillway Committee Members

• Annie Noland
• Win Zoellner
• Pat McAnany
• Dave McCullagh
• Brent Johnson (Olsson Engineering)

Drone photography provided by Jack McCullagh.