After the 2015 Memorial Day, 2016 Tax Day, and 2017 Hurricane Harvey storm events, the Engineering Department has identified and prioritized neighborhoods and major street intersections that either had structure flooding during Harvey or presented excessive street ponding during the events. Some of these locations were identified after the 2015 Memorial Day event and were planned to be funded in FY 17 but were postponed due to the decline in sales tax revenues. The proposed studies will evaluate those areas against the adopted 2014 Master Drainage Plan criteria and will develop improvement options that will be presented back to City Council.

The areas that have been identified to be studied include the following neighborhoods:

1. Settler Park
2. Chimney Stone
3. Austin Park
4. Sugar Lakes
5. River Bend North and Plantation Bend
6. Lakebend at Sugar Creek/Sugar Creek

The following major street intersections will be evaluated:

1. Elkins Road (between Commonwealth Blvd. and University Blvd.)
2. Knightsbridge Blvd
3. New Territory Blvd. at Chatham Rd.

Additionally, Oyster Creek between Dam # 3 and Dulles Avenue will be evaluated to mitigate potential flooding in adjacent neighborhoods from possible back water due to the Brazos River. The attached map illustrates the proposed study areas.

The City has selected four Engineering Consultants with extensive and proven experience solving similar drainage issues to perform the proposed studies. These will address the issues and to develop alternatives that might bring the drainage systems into compliance with the current drainage criteria or at least improve the areas and reduce the level of risk in certain areas.

The scope of work will include: Data Collection, Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis, Alternative Analysis, and Cost Analysis. The schedule to complete these projects is 3 months.
 
The study areas assigned to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. are:

1. River Bend North
2. Plantation Bend and
3. Oyster Creek (between Dam No. 3 and Dulles Ave.)

This contract will be funded from the capacity set aside in the in the CIP for Hurricane Harvey related studies and will require a budget amendment in the amount of $79,510.00.

An extensive public notification and engagement plan has been created that will present to the public the project at several intervals. The first kick-off meeting is planned in January with update meetings being held at various points throughout the duration of the project.

The Engineering Department recommends City Council authorize the professional services contract with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. to perform the drainage studies for the areas including River Bend North and Plantation Bend subdivisions; and Oyster Creek (between Dam No. 3 to Dulles Ave.) in the amount of $79,510.00, and approving a Fiscal Year 2018 budget amendment in the amount of $79,510.00.