Construction has gotten off to a slow start. There are two reasons for this. First, there have 20 days with precipitation between April 3 and May 15. Second, the relocation of a fiber optic line was not completed by Cox Communications until May 12.

Construction has progressed on relocation of a play structure from the park space along Valley Road to a new location in Triangle Park.

After the Salute to Summer events are done, there will be storm sewer work taking place. This will involve some closures or partial closures of Park View Blvd and 73rd Avenue at various times to allow the new storm sewer work to be done.

The Thompson Creek Levee improvement project, being led by the Papio-Missouri River NRD, will receive excess soil from the Thompson Creek project in order save both the City and the NRD money by coordinating the projects. This creates some timing challenges but is important in reducing costs.

A survey crew has been working in the area to stake proposed grades and identify the work area limits on private property based on the Right of Entry agreements.

City staff met with RDG Planning & Design to discuss a first draft of a planting plan for trees and shrubs along the reconstructed channel. More design work will be done in the next several weeks. It is planned to have an Open House this summer. Notices will be sent to residents and property owners for lots abutting the channel to give notice of the Open House. Funding is still needed before plantings can be done.

The Rain Barrel program is being offered again in 2015. The program is intended for the Thompson Creek watershed due to grant requirements; however, a small fund is being set aside for rain barrels outside the Thompson Creek watershed in other parts of the City. Applications are encouraged and it has been a great year to collect rainwater.

The 2015 La Vista Bio Blitz will be held again this October. We hope to be able to tour the completed channel rehabilitation project by that time.

More information on the Thompson Creek Watershed Restoration project can be found at www.cityoflavista.org/thompsoncreek.