Council adopts stormwater master plan update, staff urges new funding approach

The Salinas City Council on March 11 unanimously adopted an updated stormwater master plan that inventories the city—s storm-drain assets, models flood risks and recommends priority projects. Staff and consultants told the council the city faces significant deferred needs and does not currently have a dedicated funding mechanism for stormwater; the study estimated a 20-year moderate-investment program at roughly $237 million and said additional recurring revenue of about $6.5 million per year would be needed to implement that plan.

Heidi Nigameyer, the city—s Stormwater Program Manager, told the council, "We have over 6,000 assets and over 145 miles of pipes, culverts and channels" and said much of the system dates back decades. Wallace Group consultant Valerie Huff summarized the plan—s approach: field surveys, elevation confirmation, condition assessment,…