Weatherford council approves two creek-stabilization projects, authorizes purchase of mitigation credits

The Weatherford City Council on Jan. 14 approved two related creek-stabilization actions intended to address erosion and siltation at Holland Lake and adjacent channels.

Assistant City Manager Chad Marbot recommended the city authorize a purchase agreement with Wild Texas Lands LLC to acquire stream mitigation credits needed for the South Holland Lake Creek project in an amount not to exceed $529,392. Marbot told the council the mitigation bank extended its price lock through the end of January while staff finalized consultant responses to council questions. "They understood the questions that you had," Marbot said, and staff reported the bank was the consultant and Army Corps-recommended source for the specific type of stream credits needed for the project.

Councilmember Matt Tiscus moved to approve the purchase authorization; Zach Smith seconded the motion and the council voted to approve the item. The transcript records the council approval but does not include a roll-call vote tally.

The council also voted to approve a construction contract recommendation for the Holland Lake Creek stabilization project. Bill Smith, assistant director of public works, described the scope as roughly 600 linear feet of channel improvements that include modular block walls, a concrete channel lining and an access ramp to an existing trash rack. Staff said the lowest bidder for the project was Patcon Services LLC and the council approved the contract award; stormwater-utility fees will fund the work. Staff expects construction to begin in February and to take about six months to complete.

Marbot and staff answered council questions about property rights and easements, saying the city will not begin construction until an easement is finalized with the private property owner and that staff had a second draft of the easement with the owner’s attorney. Marbot also said creating an in-city mitigation bank would take three to five years and was not cost- or time-effective compared with purchasing available credits.

The council’s approvals move both the mitigation-credit purchase and the stabilization construction forward; the item descriptions and staff presentations are in the council packet. The meeting transcript records the votes as passing but does not include individual roll-call tallies.