Harlingen engineering staff outlines flood-prevention ordinance changes and large drainage projects, cites FEMA assistance option

City engineering staff on Tuesday described amendments to Harlingen's flood-prevention ordinance to incorporate definitions tied to FEMA's Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) assistance and provided updates on major drainage and trail projects across city districts.

The presentation, led by Luis (Engineering department staff) and Roberto Hernandez, assistant city engineer, outlined how the ICC provision would let property owners who meet FEMA's criteria apply to the National Flood Insurance Program for help covering costs required to bring structures into compliance after repetitive flood claims. "The ICC . . . essentially allows citizens to apply to a program in the national flood insurance program, for help, to offset the cost for bringing a building to new regulations, and to, possibly elevate, a structure," Luis said during the presentation. He provided a FEMA-based example showing how two qualifying claims within 10 years can trigger eligibility.

The ordinance change is administrative: staff said it updates the city's Chapter 105 flood-prevention definitions to include repetitive loss, substantial damage and ICC language and that eligibility follows FEMA rules. "The ICC information can be found on FEMA's website," Luis said; staff offered to provide a follow-up memo and post guidance on the city website so residents can check whether prior claims fall inside the qualifying 10-year window.

Why it matters: the ICC language provides a channel for some homeowners to obtain federal assistance to offset costs associated with elevating or repairing repeatedly damaged structures. Engineering staff said the city issued at least one qualification letter under the amended language and is continuing outreach.

Projects and funding highlights - District work: staff reported a recently completed upsizing of about 3,600 linear feet of storm pipe in the area bounded by Matts Avenue, Newcombs Highway and McPhetridge Street; an associated planned six-acre detention pond is under design. - Lozano Detention Pond (District 2): excavation and hauling are complete; staff said the pond can detain about 20,000,000 gallons and in-house construction cost was roughly $1,000,000. - Lazy Palm subdivision: 95% complete. - Fifth and Seventh street storm improvements: funded via a predecessor mitigation grant from U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzales; staff reported a construction bid of $2,600,000. - Treasure Hills and Hakaranada inlet upgrades tied to regional projects are advancing; staff said they had a kickoff meeting with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and plan to issue an RFQ for design work. - Commerce corridor: a 3.2-mile corridor reconstruction is at 60% design; staff established a public website and plans a public meeting in August while seeking construction funding. - Animal shelter: staff reported completion of the base phase for 29 outdoor kennels; materials are on hand and construction is scheduled to start next week with a projected completion by December. - Trails and active-transportation grants: the city secured a $344,000 planning grant from the Regional (RGB) MPO for a north-south Harlingen link and a $2,500,000 construction grant from the RGB MPO to extend the Arroyo Colorado hiking-and-biking trail east. Staff said in-house design work will be performed and that phase timing aims toward construction in 2026 pending TxDOT approvals.

Staff also said it is pursuing representation on the RGB MPO and Region 15 flood-planning lists so Harlingen projects will be eligible for additional state and federal funding such as the Flood Infrastructure Fund and federal mitigation grants.

What happens next: engineering staff will circulate the presentation and project photos to commissioners and produce a public memo on the ICC eligibility process. Work on several projects is moving from design to procurement this summer, and staff said the Commerce corridor public meeting will be scheduled in August.

Speakers quoted in this article were on the record at the meeting and include Luis (Engineering department staff) and Roberto Hernandez, assistant city engineer.