Council receives public input and approves stormwater management program compliance steps

The Farmers Branch city council held a public hearing and accepted public input on the city’s stormwater management program, required by the state general stormwater permit, and approved the associated program action (item 25-579).

Eric Mueller, the city’s stormwater engineer, outlined the program’s scope: statewide regulation originates with the federal Clean Water Act, is implemented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and requires municipalities to adopt a stormwater management plan with minimum control measures and best management practices to reduce pollutants entering creeks and drainage ways. Mueller emphasized the meeting was focused on water quality and pollution (fertilizers, oil, detergents, grass clippings) rather than flood-control or drainage complaints.

Staff described outreach conducted for the public meeting: a utility-bill insert and QR-code survey that was open July 7–August 10, social media and web postings, and a request for public comments. Council members asked about how residents should report pollution or illegal dumping; staff directed residents to the FBTX Connect app or the public works department for documented reports and noted the app allows photo submission and location data.

Following the public meeting and a brief council exchange, the council approved item 25-579 to proceed with the stormwater program implementation steps required by the general permit, including continued public engagement, monitoring and program updates. Staff said the stormwater management plan is publicly available on the city website and that they will continue surveys, outreach, and program reporting to the state.