The Tampa City Council meeting on May 22, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding the city's stormwater master plan. Stormwater consultant Vic Vides and his team presented a comprehensive overview of the ongoing project aimed at addressing flooding issues across Tampa.

Yuan Li, the stormwater manager, highlighted that the city has conducted numerous studies over the past 30 years to tackle flooding problems and develop improvement projects. This master plan is the largest of its kind for the city, aiming to assess the current state of the stormwater system and identify areas needing enhancement. Li emphasized the importance of updating flood risk data, as many flood zones were designated nearly two decades ago.

The council's discussion underscored the community's request for transparency and involvement in the planning process. Councilman Carlson, who initiated the motion for the presentation, expressed gratitude to the staff for facilitating the consultant's attendance, acknowledging it as a community-driven request.

Eli Uraj, president of Applied Sciences Consulting, elaborated on the project’s framework, detailing the systematic approach to identifying and resolving flooding issues. The presentation outlined the life cycle of stormwater projects, from problem identification to feasibility studies, design, and construction. Uraj noted that the city has 46 drainage basins, with 11 currently under study due to prioritized flooding complaints.

The council was informed that the project is funded with an approved budget of $5 million, with completion of the initial modeling phase expected by February 2026 and the overall program slated for completion by June 2027. Uraj also introduced innovative solutions, including green infrastructure techniques aimed at reducing runoff and pollution.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to transparency, as a dashboard will be established to keep the public informed about the progress of the stormwater studies and projects. This initiative reflects the city's proactive stance on addressing flooding concerns and improving stormwater management for the benefit of its residents.