Council to consider adopting $29M stormwater master plan after mixed public feedback

City staff reviewed the final stormwater drainage master plan and the public outreach summary. The draft had been posted for more than 30 days with paper copies at city facilities and an online survey; staff said nine public comments were received (seven online, two paper). One theme in public comment concerned a graphic that could be interpreted as converting Glenel (Glendale) Park into a large detention pond; staff clarified at the meeting that the intent was not to remove the park but to explore alternatives including underground detention or small landscaped ponding areas that would preserve park function.

Staff emphasized that the master plan identifies roughly $29 million in projects over a 15‑year horizon and that the downtown area is prioritized under the plan’s scoring matrix because of high flood risk and property values. The plan would serve as a planning document for staff when programming capital projects and as a basis for future grants. Staff proposed drafting Resolution 2026‑03 to adopt the master plan at the next regular council meeting to make the plan an official planning resource and to improve eligibility for grant and loan funding.

Council members asked about alternatives, impacts on park use, and rate implications; staff acknowledged opposition to raising rates to accomplish identified capital projects and said a separate rate study is underway to inform future recommendations. Staff said detailed design and additional public outreach would occur before any construction, and that council input would return as projects move toward design and funding decisions.