Council highlights Pecos storm drain and basin project after heavy rains; city, flood control district to cost-share

Mesa councilors used the Oct. 20 study session to discuss the Pecos storm drain and basin project after this year's heavy rains exposed localized flooding, particularly in District 6.

"This is a project that we've been working with the flood control district on for probably a dozen years," Lance, a city staff member, told the council, describing the work as a regional drainage improvement to address sheet flow through a corridor that has repeatedly flooded during large storms. The vice mayor and other council members praised staff response during recent heavy rains and stressed the need to continue investing in drainage infrastructure.

City staff explained the project is coordinated with the regional flood control district and that cost-sharing on these projects varies by agreement. For this Pecos item the staff member said the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is roughly a 60/40 share; staff noted other projects have ranged from 50/50 to 70/30 depending on the project. "In many cases, either a 50 50 share, in this case, for this particular IGA is sixtyforty. It can vary," a staff member said.

Council members described recent storms as tests of the city's drainage investments. One council member said crews and multiple departments responded overnight to keep floodwaters from entering homes in District 6. "We did not flood any houses in my district," the council member said, thanking staff for their responsiveness.

Staff framed the Pecos project as a regional improvement that will protect economic areas and reduce repeated sheet-flow flooding along Pecos Road. No ordinance or final funding approval was recorded in the study session minutes; the council discussed the item as part of its agenda review ahead of the regular meeting.