City Council approves Flood & Drainage Study for Certain Subdivisions

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Halff Associates, Inc., for professional engineering and consulting services to perform a flood and drainage study and evaluation of the drainage areas in Rancho Escondido Subdivision, North Bibb Street at Misty Willow Drive, Flowers Drive, and Eagle Pass Creek Tributary No. 2 near Memorial Drive under agenda item No.5 at their special meeting held on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

During discussion, Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos stated that the study will consist of a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of existing drainage systems at these four locations within the city.

“The City has identified these as higher priority areas in need of analysis due to recurring inundation. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the existing drainage systems in these areas (if any) and identify potential project alternatives that will mitigate the flooding problem and increase public safety. The findings of this study will aid the City in preparing for Capital Improvement Projects. The cost is $120,618.00.” said Barrientos.

Barrientos gave a rundown of what the work to be performed would consist of under the contract being proposed and if approved by the City Council.

After a detailed discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Rudy Villalpando made a motion to approve the proposed contract under agenda item No.5 and Councilman Luis E. Sifuentes seconded the motion.

The agenda item was approved.

The City recently issued another Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for professional engineering and consulting services to supplement and update previous drainage studies of: the Main Arroyo (Eagle Pass Creek); Tributaries 1, 2, and 3; the Unnamed Tributary to the Rio Grande; the Rio Grande River through the city limits; Seco Creek; Rio Grande Tributaries 1, 3, and 4; Rosita Creek; the De-Bona Drainage Area; Treasure Hill Subdivision; Rancho Escondido; Roosevelt Street Area; Misty Willow; Bibb Drainage Area; and the Foxborough Subdivision Drainage areas all of which are in and around the City of Eagle Pass, Texas.

The RFQ specified for a professional to: 1. prepare all the necessary specifications, design plans, and engineering drawings to be used to address flooding issues in the Identified Areas within the City of Eagle Pass, including but not limited to: Project Coordination; Data Collection; Topographic Surveys; Preliminary Environmental Investigation; Hydrologic Analysis; Hydraulic Analysis; Conceptual Alternatives; Economic Analysis; Recommendations; and Project Deliverables; 2. investigate any existing systems affected by the proposed drainage project, identifying options and advising the City of the most appropriate method of modifying the systems as part of the design of the Identified Areas, with plans and specifications developed in such a manner so as to delete and add segments should the project costs fall below or over budget; and 3. perform other services set forth in professionals response to RFQ#20014-011 including but not limited to a final report with all developed models, maps, technical analysis, supporting documentation, conceptual design plans, the implementation and phasing plan and incorporation of the same into a Capital Improvement Plan, which will include identification of funding and development of a schedule for design and construction.

The City Council and City Manager Barrientos have made it a priority to study and take initiatives to solve the flooding and drainage issues affecting the City of Eagle Pass.