Cedar Creek study yields surprising results for city
Courtesy photo The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer study of Cedar Creek showed a significant decrease in the 100-year flood plain area than previously indicated by FEMA. In some instances, water elevation varied as much as nine feet. While the FEMA model is unavailable, the USACE study supports previous engineering studies indicating clearing the creek of vegetation and sediment would improve conditions.
The Navasota City Council held a Regular Meeting Monday, Dec. 9, and the result of the Hydrology, Hydraulics and Economic study of Cedar Creek by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) yielded some surprising results.
The purpose of the study was to find improvements that would qualify for federal assistance.
City Manager Brad Stafford said, “The short answer is Cedar Creek does not carry quite as much water as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) had anticipated in their records. After the Corps of Engineers studied all of the areas, they could not find the engineering numbers that FEMA used, and nobody knows where those are. They (USACE) evaluated the entire system with drainage that would be coming into that creek. It was determined from their study how much water actually flows, versus the FEMA study, is considerably less water.
Another surprise was that “the old railroad trestle had no impact in stopping the flow of water to Cedar Creek.”
Stafford called the results fortunate or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it. The 100-year flood plain determined by the USACE study compared to the FEMA computer-generated study, excludes all of downtown and a large area north of Cedar Creek. Mayor Bert Miller pointed out the economic impact of a new flood plain map on businesses and homeowners.
Stafford said economically, alternatives like removing bridges or bridge decks, clearing and grubbing didn’t meet the threshold for cost benefit, but the USACE thought use of the goats was a “great idea.”
Stafford continued, “It’s not the creek causing the problem, it’s getting it to the creek. We thought the creek had more problems because of what the FEMA study said. “
Downtown drainage is being addressed with replacement of 36-inch drains with 7’x 7’ box culverts under Railroad Street.
According to Stafford, the USACE will come back with a project to study and modify the FEMA study and acquire a new flood plain map. The cost will be $50,000 compared to the original $237,000 but is not a project that will be completed next year.
He said, “It took five years to get this far.”
Scada change order adds
lift stations
Council members approved Change Order No. 1 for the SCADA System Project (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) in the amount of $42,162.50. The Change Order adds three lift station controls not in the original bid.
The project estimate was $450,000 but with the contracted bid at $408,000, the project is under the $500,000 budgeted. The savings provided the opportunity to replace all existing and “technologically obsolete” equipment by adding the three additional lift stations not previously included as well as the ability for Utility staff to monitor the lift stations from City Hall.
In an update earlier in the meeting, George Davis from Ameresco advised that the AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) system and two base stations were installed before Thanksgiving and are operational. In addition, 50 water meters have been installed with the expectation of 300 completed within the week. Factoring in the Christmas break, water meter installation is expected to be completed by the end of January followed by gas meter installation completed by end of February. City facility lighting installation will begin in January as well.
Dove Crossing
infrastructure accepted
Council approved Resolution 665-19 accepting the sewer, street and drainage infrastructure in both Dove Landing and Dove Court subdivisions. The request was made by developer Blackrock Builders, LLC.
Lupe Diosdado, Community Development Director, said the 31-lot Dove Landing subdivision in Dove Crossing Subdivision “did comply with all the City of Navasota’s standards for a subdivision as well as construction requirements.”
The Resolution includes the neighboring 32-lot Dove Court as a “housekeeping” measure since Dove Court was never formally accepted.
Navasota Landing rehab
supported
City council approved Resolution 666-19 as a show of support for the proposed rehabilitation of Navasota Landing and waived the required permit fee of $250.
According to Justin Meyer of Arx Advantage, a housing development consulting firm, Navasota Landing owners Megan Corporation is applying to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 2020 Housing Tax Credits to rehabilitate the 40-unit apartment complex on Laredo Street.
The competitive program has limited funds and scored on points. Megan Corp. will be competing “with other rural or USDA developments throughout the State of Texas,” and Myer stressed the importance of the 18-points the City’s resolution and permit waiver provide.
Recipients will be announced in July and should Megan Corporation be selected, renovations could include parking lot and landscape work, roofing, drywall and framing work, replacement of kitchen sinks, counter tops and flooring, replacement of appliances with Energy Star products and other items. Meyer said the cost of a similar project in San Augustine was $1.5 million.
Other council action:
•Approved the consent agenda items that include the minutes and expenditures for November, the second reading of Ordinance 910-19 changing zoning of a property east of the Industrial Park and properties adjacent to the Heritage Meadows Center and the second reading of Ordinance 911-19 extending the boundaries of the City of Navasota, providing for the annexation of 102.4197 acres.
Staff, board &
commission reports:
•Introduction of new Navasota Police Department patrol officers, Bradford Davis and William Cooper as well as announcement of the promotion of Peggy Johnson to Human Resources Director, Delcia Hernandez to fulltime status and supervision of the Navasota Center to Kathrine Thorgersen.
•Introduction of the new pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Matt Morse.
Mayor’s calendar of
events:
•Saturday, Dec. 14 – Home for the Holidays at noon at City Hall; Christmas parade, 6 p.m. downtown followed by tree lighting at City Hall.
•Sunday, Dec. 15 – Last day of NTA’s “Charlie Brown Christmas,” 2 p.m.
•Sunday, Dec. 15 – Combined choirs of Navasota’s First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church, 5:30 at First Presbyterian Church.
•Wednesday, Dec. 18 – Coffee with the Chamber, 9 a.m., 4141 Coffee House on LaSalle at Holland Street.