Sealy — The Sealy City Council voted to ask Strand to prepare a task order to design expansion of the BNPW Park retention pond and related downstream stormwater conveyance upgrades after receiving updated cost estimates for work intended to reduce flooding in the Allens Creek watershed. The council specified the base bid plus the downstream bid alternative and said the city or county would arrange removal of excavated material rather than leaving that responsibility to the contractor. The motion passed by voice vote. Why it matters: Councilors said the project, together with a separate Austin County GLO CDBG flood mitigation project, would reduce frequent flooding in neighborhoods immediately south of the existing pond and is funded from previously issued certificates of obligation. What the council approved: Strand’s update described two major components: deepening and enlarging the BNPW Park retention pond by excavating about 245,000 cubic yards of material, and upsizing and deepening the pond outfall, storm sewer pipes, manholes and intake structures along Sunset Avenue and Westview Terrace Drive. Strand gave cost opinions — not bids — that include construction, land acquisition and engineering, plus a 20% contingency. The pond expansion alone was estimated at about $1.4 million to $2.6 million depending chiefly on who hauls the excavated material; the downstream conveyance upgrades were estimated at about $2.7 million. Constructing both components together was estimated at about $4.1 million to $5.3 million. The firm said the retention pond would be sized to reduce flood risk up to a 100-year return interval storm event; the pipe system would convey roughly a 25-year event before surcharging, after which overland flow along streets is expected to carry excess water. Key exchanges and clarifications: Ryan, a Strand representative, explained the program background and the modeling that underlies the proposals and said, “The scope of the BNPW Park retention pond expansion project includes the deepening and expanding of the existing retention pond by excavating 245,000 cubic yards of material.” City staff clarified funding. Kimber, a city staff member, said, “This would come from the COs,” referring to certificates of obligation (COs) as an eligible funding source; Kimber also confirmed that the county’s GLO CDBG flood mitigation project covers some overlapping areas but not the BNPW Park pond expansion. Kimber answered council questions about road repairs: “It is not a complete resurfacing of the road, but any damage to the roads caused by construction of these improvements, that would be repaired.” Several council members asked whether the project would address known flooding areas such as Westview Terrace; Strand said the combined work would deliver the greatest benefit immediately downstream of the pond and would reduce peak flows through Westview Terrace. Cost drivers and options: Strand told the council that the higher cost estimates assume a contractor hauls excavated materials to a disposal site within roughly five miles. If the city or county can haul material for reuse, Strand estimated the earthwork cost could be reduced to roughly a third of the contractor-haul price. Staff also noted that impact fees could reimburse up to 50% of certain roadway projects if the city uses CO funds now and later charges impact fees for growth-related shares. Next steps and council direction: The council’s motion asked Strand to develop a task order and detailed scope, fee and schedule for the base bid plus the downstream bid alternative, with hauling of excavated material excluded from the contractor scope because the city or county would arrange hauling. Councilmembers voted in favor; the motion passed by voice vote. Implementation notes and limits: The cost figures provided by Strand are opinions based on recent bids for similar work and include a 20% contingency; they are not contractor bids. The pond expansion and pipe upsizing are intended to work alongside the county’s GLO CDBG project; the county is designing its own improvements. The project will reduce but not eliminate flooding for every possible storm scenario; storm sewer pipes were sized for roughly a 25-year event and the pond for up to the 100-year event. Ending: Strand will prepare a task order and a proposed contract for council consideration at a future meeting if the council confirms its direction to proceed with the base bid plus option 2.