Recommendation: (Summary) The Director of Houston Public Works recommends that the City Council approve an ordinance authorizing an agreement for the City of Houston to receive funds from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for the reimbursement of up to $7,536,107.75 for the design and permitting of the North Canal project as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); authorizing the Director to expend the grant funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the grant.
Specific Explanation: Ordinance 2018-0479 was passed June 13, 2018, which authorized the Director of Houston Public Works (HPW) to submit applications to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for flood mitigation projects. HPW submitted an application for the North Canal project on August 1, 2018. HPW requests City Council to authorize the Director or designee to act as the City's representative with the authority to accept and expend the grant funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor or designee to execute all related contracts, agreements and documents withe the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant, not to exceed five years.
The concept of a North Canal High Flow Diversion Channel project has been considered for several years to reduce the risk of flooding to downtown Houston and – in combination with other future projects – to provide flood damage reduction benefits to areas farther upstream along both White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. The concept is included, for example, in the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 2002 report “Buffalo Bayou and Beyond.” It has also been included in the vision plans of other groups supporting bayou restoration, downtown revitalization and economic development.
The project consists of three portions which include two high-flow channel diversions (North and South Canal) and upstream bridge and channel improvements. The alignment of the North Canal will be near the confluence of White Oak and Buffalo Bayou, while the South Canal will be further downstream. The bridge and channel improvements include the elevation of Yale Street and Heights Boulevard bridges to provide additional conveyance capacity and protection to areas along White Oak including I-10 west of downtown Houston. The preliminary hydraulic and hydrologic analysis indicates that the project can remove a large portion from the 100-year floodplain as well as protect flood prone residences, businesses, and government buildings in the downtown area which are shown to flood at 10%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% storm events.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $131 million and has a benefit-cost ratio of 1.81. FEMA has awarded the funding for the first phase of the project which includes design and permitting. The estimated cost for this first phase is $7,536,107.75 and will take approximately 14 months to complete. Once the project is designed a new benefit-cost ratio will be developed and the construction for the project will be reviewed by FEMA to obtain approval for the construction. The local match for the project is $4,880,550.77 (65%). This project will be performed in coordination with TxDOT, Harris County Flood Control District, and Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority. The partners will provide approximately $4.8 million of the local match. HPW will utilize fund 4042 – DDSRF for any remaining local match requirements.
This action is only to accept the award, matching funds will be appropriated and detailed in a separate council action with an interlocal agreement.
The period of performance for this grant is 14 months from the effective date of the contract.
MWBE PARTICIPATION:
No City M/WBE participation goal was established for this project. Per the grant agreement, the City will be required to follow the procurement provisions of 2 CFR 200 including M/WBE participation.
FISCAL NOTE:
No fiscal note required for Grant Funded Items.
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Carol Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works