Cottage Grove approves DEQ-funded storm drainage master plan contract with Carrillo Engineers

Cottage Grove city council on April 13 authorized a $299,927 contract with Carrillo Engineers Inc. to update the city's storm drainage system master plan, finance director and public-works staff said. The work will be paid from a $300,000 award from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Public Works Director John Stewart told the council the draft plan will supersede the 2015 master plan, update the capital improvement plan and inform whether the system development charge (SDC) fees collected by the city are adequate to fund future capital needs. Stewart said the DEQ award covers the engineering contract and that the updated master plan will consider changing climate conditions and more severe rainfall events encountered in recent months.

Stewart described that the city's recent flooding included a high-magnitude event likely in the 50-to-75-year range; the master plan will identify locations with capacity risk and recommend mitigation and capital projects. City staff said Carrillo was selected through a posted request for qualifications; staff reviewed two proposals and found Carrillo's cost and scope responsive and within the DEQ budget.

Legal counsel prepared the contract and DEQ and Carrillo have reviewed and approved the language, staff said. Council voted to approve the contract unanimously.

Carrillo's work will include an update to the storm drainage capital improvement plan and an analysis of SDCs so the city can assess whether fees should be adjusted. Stewart said the city purchased software to model utility and capital needs and that the master plan will be used to set priorities for grant applications and future capital work.

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