Council approves Walker Partners proposal to develop Phase 2 stormwater management program after MS4 designation

The McGregor City Council approved Walker Partners’ proposal to develop a Phase 2 stormwater management program required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) after the city’s inclusion in an urbanized area triggered municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) requirements.

A Walker Partners representative told the council the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data connected McGregor to the Waco urbanized area. As a result, the city now must meet the Phase 2 MS4 general permit requirements, including implementing the six minimum control measures and reporting to TCEQ on a five-year permit cycle. City staff said the Notice of Intent (NOI) has already been submitted and the five-year permit term has begun; the program will focus on tasks phased across the permit term to minimize immediate costs to citizens.

Walker Partners’ presenter, identified as Mr. Henson, said the firm would “identify a lot of activities the city's already doing that we can take credit for and try to, you know, minimize the cost on the citizens of McGregor.” Consultant Curtis Bridal added that he has developed stormwater management programs for Killeen, Temple and Georgetown and is familiar with the Phase 2 process.

Staff told council that an illicit-discharge detection and elimination ordinance will be required, likely by the end of year two of the permit, and that Walker Partners can assist with outreach, training and drafts. The consultant said there are opportunities to partner with nearby Phase 1 MS4 cities for some public education and training to lower costs.

Council approved the Walker Partners scope-and-fee proposal and authorized staff to proceed, with staff noting the firm is offering payment-plan arrangements to begin work while minimizing immediate fiscal impact.