Title
Consider and take action on a resolution removing the Rustic Oaks Subdivision Drainage Improvements project (DR 2003) from the May 2019 GO Bond project list (Executive Director of Capital Projects)
Background:
Approval of this resolution will authorize the removal of the Rustic Oaks Subdivision Drainage Improvements project from the May 2019 GO Bond project list.
In the aftermath of the Hurricane Harvey flooding, City Staff had a high-level study conducted of drainage issues encountered in several of our neighborhoods and held a public meeting on September 9, 2018, to go over the preliminary findings of the study and to discuss potential improvements to help reduce flooding within the project area. One of the areas of concern discussed during the public meeting was the neighborhood’s ability to handle 100-year exceedance events. The project was included as part of a list of potential drainage projects outlined on the City’s May 2019 General Obligation Bond Referendum.
The design contract for the Rustic Oaks Subdivision Drainage Improvements Project was awarded to Huitt-Zollars, Inc. at the November 5, 2019, City Council meeting. The scope of the project included the design of drainage improvements to address issues experienced during 100-year exceedance events. Existing storm sewer outfall easements were to be utilized to provide surface flood relief for adjacent streets to drain into Magnolia Creek and Cedar Gully through grass overflow swales at eight (8) existing drainage easement sites. These easements are typically 10’ wide and fully encumbered with fences, gates, walkways, trees, AC units, etc. and are located between residential dwellings. A typical swale would require relocation or removal of these items and would alter access to backyards. Design was halted after the 90% submittal due to lack of support from the residents.
Throughout the design process, staff held meetings directly with affected property owners. With the assistance of our Community Engagement Department, an in-person meeting was held on July 10, 2024, with the affected property owners regarding the scope of the project, to gauge interest in the project and to introduce the topic of removing the project from the May 2019 General Obligation Bond Referendum. Follow-up with the affected resident property owners was conducted to further gauge interest in the project. An online and an in-person meeting with the impacted homeowners was held on July 8, 2024, and July 10, 2024, to go over the project specs and the benefit/land impacts to each individual property. The homeowners were notified by mail of the online and the in-person meetings. Of those in attendance, only one homeowner residing at 506 Rainflower in Rustic Oaks wanted to move forward with the project. After months of back-and-forth discussions, the adjacent neighbor to 506 Rainflower, (508 Rainflower) decided she did not want to move forward because of fear of loss of property value, impact to her fence, increased foot traffic past her home, and a few other issues. Due to her availability, interactions were difficult to coordinate, and follow-up timeframes were lengthy.
The consensus of the affected property owners was to not move forward with the project and to remove the project from the May 2019 General Obligation Bond Referendum. Staff presented the citizen feedback of affected residents to City Council May 27, 2025, with a recommendation to remove the project from the CIP due to lack of residents’ interest in moving forward. Council postponed action on the agenda item and requested staff to provide documentation of community engagement with all residents in the community, in addition to the affected residents.
Following the above Council Meeting, staff reached out to the neighborhood and met with HOA representatives on July 9, 2025. It was agreed that staff would hold a combined HOA meeting and League City Public Meeting for all Rustic Oaks residents on September 23, 2025, to further discuss the project. The HOA posted a graphic created for social media into their neighborhood community Facebook group, inviting all residents in their neighborhood to attend the public meeting. The affected homeowners who had previously declined the project, were also notified by mail about the neighborhood wide meeting. Every
resident in attendance was in favor of the project being removed from the Bond and wanted to ensure the HOA would not be paying for the construction in any fashion.
The homeowner at 506 Rainflower was in attendance, and agreed to the removal of the project, but was still seeking a solution for the drainage issues he faced. City Public Work staff and our Community Engagement Manager visited the site at 506 Rainflower several times and evaluated the resident’s home to explore options to help resolve ponding on his property. After talking with the adjacent neighbor at 508 Rainflower, she unfortunately did not want her property to be impacted at this time for any form of surface project. Without the neighbor’s permission, it would be nearly impossible for this project, or Public Works, to make any surface improvements. Staff will continue to work with the resident at 506 Rainflower to find a viable solution which would impact own property only.
A drainage study is currently underway through the City’s Engineering Department to determine what type of project would better benefit the community at large. The study is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2026. Once the results of the Drainage Study are available, we can evaluate how this may tie in to improving drainage at the sloped area of Rainflower Drive. The homeowner at 506 Rainflower has also expressed interest in participating in any upcoming Flood Buyout programs or selling his home to City of League City via property acquisition for a drainage improvement project.
The HOA sent a letter on October 20, 2025, stating their community did not wish to move forward with the current Rustic Oaks bond project. Therefore, City staff is requesting formal removal of the project from the 2019 bond program.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Letter from the HOA
3. CIP Project Sheet
4. CIP Aerial Map (Modif.)
FUNDING
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STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} N/A