Brookshire council authorizes proposals to clear clogged storm sewers and reshape ditches after repeated flooding

City council members on July 2 authorized staff to seek detailed proposals to tackle recurring flooding in downtown Brookshire and the Briar Brook subdivision.

Staff presented video evidence showing storm drains clogged with trash, silt and roots and described a limited vendor visit that could not clear all blockages. LJA engineers told the council they were developing design options for a problem ditch in Briar Brook and would return with costed alternatives. The council voted to authorize Trilogy Engineering to prepare a scope and cost proposal for major curb-and-gutter and storm-sewer cleaning in the Midtown/downtown rectangle area and a separate proposal to assess and reshape ditches on 9th–13th Streets.

City staff said the vendor that performed the initial work used suction equipment but could not reach the far side of some pipes because roots had grown inside the lines. The LJA engineer said the city will evaluate options that show how each approach affects flood risk, cost and impacts to adjacent properties. Mayor Richards and other council members pressed for grates on gutters to reduce debris entry and for clearer estimates before committing to construction contracts.

Council members emphasized the service gap: the city’s public works crew has completed jetting and desilting on the north side of town but lacks the manpower to tackle the south side. Staff said the outside proposals will include camera inspections, pipe-size verification and equipment needs and that the council will review cost estimates before awarding any contracts.

Next steps: staff will accept Trilogy’s written proposal and LJA will finalize design options for the Briar Brook ditch; both items will return for council review and budget consideration at or before the scheduled July budget workshops.