The Mayor’s Office of Recovery is requesting approval for submission of a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board fThe Mayor’s Office of Recovery is requesting approval for submission of a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board for various dredging activities for the purpose of removing accumulated siltation and sediment deposits from the San Jacinto River into Lake Houston.
Specific Explanation:
The Mayor’s Office of Recovery requests City County approval of an ordinance authorizing the Chief Recovery Officer to submit a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board in the amount of $50,000,000.00 and to accept a grant award for various dredging activities for the purpose of removing accumulated siltation and sediment deposits from the San Jacinto River into Lake Houston. No budget period or period of performance has been identified for this award but it is expected to take several years for completion of this work.
The Recovery Office also requests City Council to authorize the Director or his designee to act as the City’s representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grants 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 to execute all related contracts, agreements and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
During the recent 2021 Legislative Session, SB1 authorized $50 million for State and Federal Financial Assistance Programs are available for the purpose of removing accumulated siltation and sediment deposits from the San Jacinto River into Lake Houston with particular attention to inlets, coves and tributaries around the reservoir, in order to prevent flooding. COH will coordinate with key stakeholders including the Coastal Water Authority (CWA), Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and various neighborhood owners’ associations on this project. Grant activities for this award include providing silt and sediment removal for 17 canals and tributaries along with compliance and monitoring of this work.
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the TWDB, the City of Houston is required to adopt a resolution to accompany the grant application. The resolution request is being submitted to City Council through a separate agenda item.
Fiscal Note: No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Stephen Costello, Chief Recovery Officer