The Lakewood City Council on Oct. 27 unanimously approved amendments to intergovernmental agreements with the Mile High Flood District to add construction funds for drainage and flood control improvements at multiple sites, including Lakewood Gulch downstream of Welch Street and improvements in Dry Gulch and West 10th Avenue.

City staff said the actions secure local matching funds that unlock additional Mile High Flood District contributions. Eric King, design section supervisor for capital projects and utilities, told the council crews have completed outreach including an open house, a second independent design review, and 1‑on‑1 meetings with property owners whose parcels border the project area. King said the city mailed notices of intent to begin easement negotiations and that staff and the city stormwater engineer had met with property owners on Oct. 6 to discuss final design and easement terms.

Councilors asked whether community members would still have opportunities to provide input after the amendments. King said yes: easement negotiations remain under way and residents will continue to be notified and consulted; the city also incorporated recommendations from the independent design review to reduce environmental impacts, including changes to bank treatment and boulder sizing.

Councilor Sharizahi asked staff to confirm that design concerns raised previously had been addressed and that property owners had been contacted; King said staff had implemented several recommendations from the independent reviewer and was proceeding with easement negotiations. Councilor Sinks asked whether the vote authorized construction funding; staff said the amendment adds funds for construction and secures the local match, but additional amendments may be required next year to add remaining funds to complete the entire project.

The council adopted the consent agenda items including three resolutions (R‑2025‑63, R‑2025‑64, R‑2025‑65) and separately took up R‑2025‑62, the amended IGA for Lakewood Gulch. A motion to adopt the resolution passed 10–0. King said staff will continue targeted, property‑owner‑level outreach during final design and easement negotiation and that broader public notices remain posted on LakewoodSpeaks.org.

What’s next: staff will continue easement negotiations, incorporate property‑specific requests where feasible into final designs, and bring subsequent funding amendments back to council when additional construction funds are needed. The council did not take controversial amendments and described the vote as a step toward long‑running flood mitigation work in parts of the city that have experienced closures and drainage problems.