Council backs drafting of residential streambank erosion cost-share program; agrees to $10,000 resident share and in-house delivery

Director Ahmed Alkasy presented options for a residential streambank erosion cost-share program aimed at addressing erosion on private properties adjacent to creeks. Alkasy summarized program mechanics and financial options: a percentage-based cost share (staff had removed a previously-discussed 50/50 option), a flat resident contribution ($10,000 or $20,000), and suggested city-contribution caps ($150k, $250k or no cap).

Alkasy presented an implementation choice between staffing a program in-house (estimated additional cost ~ $144,000 annually for a professional engineer) or outsourcing to a consultant (approx. $150,000). He said the drainage fund currently holds roughly $2.4 million from 2025, with an estimated $2.97 million in 2026 and $3.3 million in 2027; staff proposed allocating $500,000 per year from the drainage fund to the program and offering payment plans for resident shares.

After a round of council discussion focusing on accessibility for lower-income homeowners, grants and private financing options, the council reached consensus direction: adopt a flat $10,000 resident contribution option (staff may offer choice among flat amounts), deliver the program in-house to retain institutional knowledge, and operate without a hard project cap during the first year (subject to available drainage-fund balance and council review). The council asked staff to draft an ordinance and return with the draft and recommended budget adjustments; staff said a draft ordinance could be prepared and presented for later adoption.