Title
Discuss Proposal by Urban Solutions to Conduct a Watershed Analysis as Part of the Ongoing Urban Solutions Contract (Julie Smith and Kyle Odom) (20 minutes)
Summary
MEETING DATE: September 7, 2010
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Stewardship
Engineering
CONTACT: Julie Smith, Manager
Kyle Odom, Storm Water Management Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Provide staff direction with respect to proposed use of Urban Solutions contract to develop a water resources assessment, conduct trainings for City staff, and help the City design and monitor the effectiveness of storm water and stream restoration demonstrations.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Staff proposes using the ongoing Urban Solutions contract to utilize the scientific expertise Texas A&M Urban Solutions can provide in terms of conducting a city-wide water resources assessment.
• Urban Solutions proposes to build on recent analyses of the Lake Lavon watershed conducted by the AgriLife Urban Solutions Center and the Texas A&M University Spatial Sciences Laboratory (SSL) in College Station.
• Urban Solutions will provide training for City staff concerning the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), as well as natural means of stream stabilization/restoration.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The City of McKinney is in its third year of a six-year contract (renewed annually) with Texas A&M Urban Solutions. The first two years concentrated on water conservation efforts and resulted in the development of the McKinney Green Gardens and other environmental education outreach efforts.
• Staff recognizes the scientific expertise Texas A&M could provide in terms of watershed analysis and protection. Urban Solutions has completed several large watershed studies that involve multiple jurisdictions and more than a thousand-acre drainage basin. As a result of meetings between staff and Dr. Allan Jones, Urban Solutions has developed a proposal to conduct an analysis of the City of McKinney’s watershed.
• Dr. Jones proposes using the SWAT (Soil and Water and Assessment Tool) model now used nationally and internationally to assess and troubleshoot watershed issues. Specifically, Urban Solutions proposes evaluating floodplain and storm water management policies and practices including North Central Texas Council of Government’s iSWM™ guidlines. This will be the first local application where the modeling focuses on the sub-watersheds located within a municipality’s city limits.
• Urban Solutions will work with City staff to develop a concept plan including construction drawings as necessary for a stream stabilization/restoration demonstration site. Concept plans may include “natural” in-stream stabilization practices such as J-hooks, W-weirs, cross vanes, root wads, and stream bank vegetation management.
• Urban Solutions will complete the project by September 2011.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The City Council approved the continuation of the Urban Solutions’ contract as part of this year’s budget process. Staff anticipates Council funding the Urban Solutions’ contract to for FY 2010-2011 also.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A