ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2020-232 to increase maximum contract amount; approving and authorizing first amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvements Project between City of Houston and COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for Houston Public Works - $11,560,591.00 - Grant Fund - DISTRICT E - FLICKINGER

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an ordinance approving and authorizing a First Amendment to the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvements Project Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the City of Houston and Coastal Water Authority (CWA) for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant-funded project and allocate funds.

EXPLANATION:

The City of Houston currently contracts with the Coastal Water Authority (CWA) to operate the Lake Houston Dam. On March 25, 2020, Council adopted Ordinance No. 2020-0232 authorizing an ILA with CWA to manage design and permitting activities (Phase 1) for the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project funded by the HMGP (the Project). The Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is a Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project along the San Jacinto River on Lake Houston. The project, construction of additional tainter gates, will increase controlled flow releases from the reservoir behind the Lake Houston Dam during flood events to reduce the risk of localized flooding to residential and commercial communities immediately adjacent to and upstream of Lake Houston. Under the scope of the ILA, CWA is responsible for procurement and management of grant-eligible design and permitting activities, with oversight by the City. CWA will be reimbursed for HMGP-eligible expenses incurred in accordance with federal requirements and terms for reimbursement from FEMA.

Previously approved funding:

In March 2021, FEMA approved a budget modification to include eligible grant management costs as a reallocation from Phase 1 activities. In April 2024, FEMA approved another budget modification reallocating $11,560,591.00 from construction (Phase 2) to Phase 1. The City of Houston requested this reallocation due to higher Phase 1 costs and approval of funding from other sources for Phase 2.

Summary of Grant Funding:

The proposed ILA First Amendment allocates additional funds to CWA for completion of Phase 1 activities for the HMGP-funded project.  The amount reimbursable to CWA shall not exceed $15,622,623.00. The federal cost share for the project is $11,716,967.25 or 75% of the total project cost, and the local cost share is $3,905,655.75 or 25% of the total project cost. Allocation of the additional local cost share is requested at this time.

FISCAL NOTE: No fiscal note is required on grant items.

No significant fiscal operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.

______________________________

Randall V. Macchi

Chief Operating Officer

Houston Public Works

WBS No. M-450500-0300-7

Ordinance No. 2020-0232, dated 03-25-2020