Alamosa approves IGA with county to pursue Army Corps levee feasibility study

On second reading the Alamosa City Council approved Ordinance 16‑2026, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Alamosa County to pursue a possible U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study for repairing the Rio Grande levee system.

City staff said the federal feasibility study could run up to three years and cost as much as $3 million; the city and county would share costs up to 50% (a combined maximum local share of $1.5 million). Staff said the Army Corps, if it moves forward with construction, previously estimated construction costs of roughly $25.55 million; if the Corps led construction, local cost‑share obligations would fall to about 30% of that amount under typical Corps cost‑share rules.

During the public hearing a resident near Cole Park asked about timelines for removing vegetation that may threaten levee stability. Ms. James, a city staff member, said the Parks and Recreation department leads vegetation management and that a two‑year RFP for removal is in place; because of the levee's structural requirements, removal must follow specific methodologies. Richard Hubler, Alamosa County Land Use Administrator, told the council the county fully supports moving the project forward and highlighted years of interjurisdictional work on levee issues.

Councilmember Hensley moved to approve the ordinance on second reading; the motion carried unanimously. The IGA positions the city to participate in Corps work if the federal determination approves a feasibility study and later construction.