TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution to authorize participation in the Texas Water Development Board Grant for the Nolan Creek Regional Flood Protection Master Plan project.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
Authorize participation in the Texas Water Development Board Grant for the Nolan Creek Regional Flood Protection Master Plan Project.
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
Public Works / Environmental Services
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Flood Protection Planning Program, created in 1991, is a grant program designed to assist political subdivisions in evaluating regional structural and nonstructural solutions to flooding problems. Only regional projects are eligible for this grant. Grants for flood protection planning in our area are limited to 50% of the total cost of the project. In-kind services may be substituted for any part of the local share if such services are directly in support of the planning effort, are properly documented, and approved in advance by the TWDB.
On May 9, 2016, the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) hosted a Nolan Creek watershed meeting to discuss the opportunity to apply for a TWDB grant to fund the creation of a Nolan Creek Flood Protection Master Plan. Representatives from Bell County, Bell County Water Control & Improvement District (WC&ID) #6, Belton, Brazos River Authority, Central Texas Council of Governments, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Killeen and Texas Agrilife all participated in the discussion on regional flood protection. On May 24, 2017, the City Council authorized the submission of a TWDB Flood Protection Planning Grant application for the Nolan Creek Regional Flood Protection Master Plan project (CCMR #16-059). On August 25, 2016, the TWDB awarded CTCOG a grant for this project. The Nolan Creek project scored #2 out of 41 applications submitted from across the state.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Benefits of a regional flood protection master plan include prioritization and coordination of structural and nonstructural projects throughout the watershed, improved water quality, increased public education, and increased public safety. Participation in the CTCOG’s TWDB proposed planning grant project does have some direct benefit to the residents of Killeen. One benefit is the shared expense of mapping and modeling the Nolan Creek watershed. This grant would allow the City to proceed with this 2012 Drainage Master Plan planned project, without having to wait for funding in a future drainage bond. Proposed flood retarding structures identified for construction within the City of Killeen would benefit Killeen by providing an area that could also be utilized as a park and a water quality feature. These structures would support our Vision 2030 plan by contributing to a higher quality of life for our residents and by helping to reduce the regulated pollutants in Nolan Creek. Reduction of pollutants assists the City in avoiding issuance of a regulated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) by the TCEQ. Additional benefits include increased priority in other grant programs, potential revisions to the regulatory Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) maps, and increased public safety through the development and use of early warning systems.
CTCOG provided a preliminary project cost breakdown based on four areas: hydrology, hydraulics, field survey, and population within the watershed. The total project cost is $462,038. The awarded project includes $231,019 in grant funds and requires a $231,019 match to be funded by the political subdivisions within the watershed. The City of Killeen’s identified portion of the match, based on the criteria identified above, is $146,599.00. City staff has worked with the CTCOG to identify in-kind services that will offset a portion of the city's identified match.
FISCAL IMPACT
Participation in this project will require in-kind services of $92,371.33 and a cash contribution of $54,227.67. Funding for the cash contribution is available in the fiscal year 2016-2017 drainage utility fund's environmental services professional services account 575-3476-432.47-20 that has an available budget of $117,734.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend the City Council approve participation in the TWDB Flood Protection Planning Grant for the Nolan Creek Regional Flood Protection Master Plan project and authorize the City Manager to execute all contracts, change orders, documents, and agreements associated with the grant.