Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing two agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers relating to the Lower Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou Section 203 Study, one for Technical Assistance and one for Federal Activities, for a combined amount not to exceed $250,000 (City Manager)
Background:
Consider and take action on a resolution to provide authorization to execute a memorandum of agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers for the undertaking of federal activities related to the Lower Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou Section 203 Study and approve a not to exceed budget of $250,000 to be used for this support.
In 2021, phase 1 of the Lower Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou Regional Flood Study was completed. This study modeled the watersheds, including updating the rainfall data to Atlas 14, and provided recommendations for projects that could significantly reduce the water elevation in both watersheds during heavy rainfall events. These projects total nearly $2B which our regional local partners cannot afford on their own.
The study was submitted and included in the Water Resources Development Act 2022 (WRDA) through Congress which opens the door for future Federal funding. WRDA provides Congress with the opportunity to authorize USACE projects nationwide. To qualify for Federal construction dollars, the project must go through a feasibility study to prove the benefits to USACE. League City, along with its regional partners, will be performing that feasibility study through a Section 203 Study which is a locally funded feasibility study instead of a Corps led study. Entering into the two agreements attached provides a funding source for USACE to develop a scope of work and provide us with technical assistance and assistance with federal activities.
In addition to the USACE coordination, Staff is working to enter Interlocal Agreements with Galveston County, Harris County Flood Control, City of Friendswood, City of Dickinson and many other regional partners to fund the study which has cost approaching $5M with our share approaching $1.5M prior to other partnership funding. The initial contributions required in these agreements are $30,000 per agreement. Due to the complexities of the study, specifically NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) coordination, we expect to exceed that amount and therefore request a budget of $250,000
In addition to these agreements with USACE there will be a master study agreement with Freese & Nichols for Phase 2.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Exhibit A - MOA Section 203 - Technical Assistance
3. Exhibit B - MOA Section 203 - Federal Activities
4. CIP Project Sheet
FUNDING
{X} Funding in the amount of $250,000 is available from Misc Capital Projects Fund 5015 with expenses charged to project expense string DR1908-PLAN DESIGN-DESIGN-TSCASH