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Richwood staff lays out capital-improvement plan, population estimate differences and water/wastewater projects
Summary
Staff presented CEAC materials including a revised population methodology (staff estimate ~6,900 vs. census ~4,300 and TCEQ ~7,400), reviewed water and wastewater projects including lift-station capacity concerns and a long-term wastewater plant option, demonstrated a new GIS asset map, and council appointed Dina Pate to the CEAC.
City staff gave a comprehensive Capital Improvements Advisory Committee presentation that framed near-term projects, funding considerations and how population assumptions drive impact-fee calculations.
Staff said the U.S. Census count of about 4,300 residents "is not correct" for planning purposes and described their methodology that yields an estimated population near 6,900. The consultant and state figures differ: staff noted TCEQ lists about 7,400 while earlier consultant work gave another figure; staff said they will explain the methodology when the consultant (Strand) presents a draft land-use assumption to the council.
The presentation walked through water-system and wastewater priorities. Staff highlighted a sanitary-sewer-evaluation (I&I) study focused on Lift Station 1 and related basins, saying Lift Station 1 is "grossly undersized" for existing flows and that options include building a new lift station or expanding existing facilities. Looking further out, staff cited a notional $13,000,000 estimate for a wastewater treatment facility as one of several long-range options and emphasized that any such choice would carry significant cost and uncertainty.
Staff also demonstrated a newly built GIS mapping system for the city’s water, wastewater and stormwater assets. The map shows distribution mains, force mains, pump and well details, asset attributes (installation dates, volumes, capacities), and repair markers for maintenance history. Staff said a public viewer is intended in future rollout and that the GIS will help prioritize preventive maintenance and document repairs.
Separately, council appointed Dina Pate, an Oakwood Shores resident and agent for Caldwell Baker, as the required nonpolitical industry representative to the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee; the motion to appoint carried.
Why it matters: population assumptions directly influence impact-fee calculations and capital planning; understating or overstating the population would change how much infrastructure the city plans and who pays for it. The GIS should improve asset management and transparency about repairs and schedules.
Next steps: Strand will present a first draft of land-use assumptions for council review; staff will continue design and scheduling work for identified water and wastewater projects and monitor grant funding opportunities.
