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Council hears drainage utility update; staff flags $66 million of prioritized creek-bank erosion projects
Summary
Staff outlined a shift from watershed study funding to executing priority drainage projects, cited 157 project candidates from watershed studies and a creek-bank assessment that identified 61 sites in levels 1'3 and recommended 23 near-term improvements (6 for the 2026 bond); staff said the remaining backlog is approximately $66 million.
City staff presented a comprehensive update on the drainage utility program, watershed studies and the Creek Bank Erosion Assessment that will shape the city's capital plan and bond-funded projects.
Katie (Drainage program lead) told the council Richardson has 12 watersheds and currently charges a $6.25 flat drainage fee; she said staff are shifting funding away from additional watershed studies and toward executing projects identified in prior studies.
She described the creek-bank assessment work: city staff evaluated 105 previously high- or medium-ranked sites and found 61 that fall into levels 1'3 (threats to public infrastructure, city-owned land or structures); 23 sites are recommended for near-term improvements, with six identified for the 2026 bond program and three proposed for Drainage Fund funding next year. Katie said the full set of assessed sites represents about $66,000,000 in potential work beyond near-term funding capacity.
Other highlights included channel maintenance successes, installation of 3 new inlet baskets (bringing the total to 193), and planned CCTV/MSI inspection footage of roughly 45,000 feet in FY27. Staff also explained efforts to coordinate construction sequencing to keep contractors working efficiently in clustered locations and noted dependence on utility clearance from franchise utilities for several projects.
Council raised homeowner concerns about erosion on private property; staff reiterated that private property owners generally bear responsibility unless the erosion threatens public infrastructure, and said cost-share programs had existed in the past but resources are limited.
Staff will finalize utility-program materials as part of the manager's budget submittal and proposed CIP.
