City staff presented the draft 2026–2030 Storm and Surface‑Water Master Plan update at a Sept. 9 study session, describing completed work, grant funding and recommended priorities for the next five‑year planning period. Janet Gear, supervising surface‑water engineer, told council staff have completed seven design and construction projects and secured roughly $8.2 million in grant funding, with about $7 million additional grant applications pending.

The plan builds on the 2021 program and focuses on basin planning, stormwater regulation, facility construction, utility maintenance, public engagement and stream/wetland habitat improvements. Gear said the draft includes six new capital projects and six continuing feasibility, design or construction efforts, and that water‑quality retrofit projects will focus on high‑traffic arterial corridors not expected to redevelop.

Environmental priorities the plan highlights include improving fish passage, mapping and increasing tree canopy, addressing priority toxins (including work to limit 6PPD‑Q and other roadway contaminants), and upgrading older stormwater ponds to current standards. The staff presentation also described difficulties with some proprietary stormwater technologies and plans to refine specifications and installation practices.

Council dialogue: Council members praised the plan’s comprehensiveness and asked questions about priorities, equity and technical approaches. Council member Kurt asked how staff are using updated hydrology and climate models to size projects; staff said updated precipitation and climate scenarios (multiple models) were now available and likely to increase facility sizing modestly (staff estimated 1–1.4% larger in initial analyses).

Council members also raised invasive species monitoring — staff confirmed Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife had found African clawed frogs in some detention ponds in past surveys and staff are using decontamination and outreach protocols in monitoring and project work.

Funding, equity and outreach: Gear said the utility will continue to pursue grants and seek partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions and nonprofits. The draft plan maps prioritized projects against overburdened communities and staff said they are coordinating GIS and community‑vulnerability mapping with community development to ensure equity considerations inform project selection.

Next steps: Staff sought council feedback and will refine the draft before returning for additional study sessions and public hearings; no ordinance or funding vote occurred at the Sept. 9 meeting.