Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and consider a resolution authorizing a change in use of dedicated parkland, known as the Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary and Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park, for Austin Water to permanently use approximately 6,327 square feet of parkland in order to construct, operate, maintain, and repair approximately 415 linear feet of water line. Funding: Available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 of Austin Water Capital Budget. This item includes a mitigation payment based on the appraised value of the affected parkland in the amount of $37,641 from Austin Water to Austin Parks and Recreation, which will be recognized in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Parks and Recreation Capital Budget. There is no net General Fund impact from the payment of the mitigation fee.
De
Lead Department
Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin Financial Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Water Capital Budget. This item includes a mitigation payment based on the appraised value of the affected parkland in the amount of $37,641 from Austin Water to Austin Parks and Recreation, which will be recognized in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Austin Parks and Recreation Capital Budget. There is no net General Fund impact from the payment of the mitigation fee.
For More Information:
Lead Department - Austin Parks and Recreation, Randy Scott, Division Manager, (512) 974-9484;
Paul Books, Planner Principal, (512) 978-1315
Lead Department - Austin Financial Services, Michael Gates, Officer, (512) 974-5639
Sponsoring Department - Austin Water, Kevin Koeller, Managing Engineer, (512) 972-2055
Managing Department - Austin Capital Delivery Services, Bryce Barkus, Project Manager, (512) 978-0830;
Adewale Odufuye, Program Manager, (512) 974-7119.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
November 24, 2025 - Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board on a vote of 9-0 with Board Members Franklin and Taylor Absent, Recommendation No. 20251124-3.
Additional Backup Information:
Lead Department - Austin Parks and Recreation, Randy Scott, Division Manager, (512) 974-9484;
Paul Books, Planner Principal, (512) 978-1315.
Lead Department - Austin Financial Services, Michael Gates, Officer, (512) 974-5639.
Sponsoring Department - Austin Water, Kevin Koeller, Managing Engineer, (512) 972-2055.
Managing Department - Austin Capital Delivery Services, Bryce Barkus, Project Manager, (512) 978-0830;
Adewale Odufuye, Program Manager, (512) 974-7119.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
November 24, 2025 - Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board on a vote of 9-0 with Board Members Franklin and Taylor Absent, Recommendation No. 20251124-3.
Additional Backup Information:
Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code provides that the use of parkland for non-park purposes may be approved upon findings that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the parkland and that all reasonable planning has been undertaken to minimize harm to such land.
Austin Water has an existing 24-inch water line crossing the Colorado River that is exposed and needs to be replaced with a new 36-inch water line. The new 36-inch water line was originally part of a Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) project but was separated due to transportation improvements being delayed. The City of Austin received a payment from CTRMA of approximately $1,300,000 for the water line replacement. The new 36-inch water line will require two permanent easements within Parks and Recreation property, one within the Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary and another one within Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park. To minimize surface impact, including to trees, trenchless construction installation will be utilized within Parks and Recreation property. Construction is scheduled to begin and be completed in 2026.
Upon Council approval of this item, the Austin Parks and Recreation will receive $37,641 from Austin Water as mitigation for the permanent use of parkland.
The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed the project at the November 24, 2025, meeting and provided a recommendation to City Council. This item is brought forward because there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the dedicated parkland and all reasonable planning has been and will be taken to minimize harm to such lands. The dates of public notification in the Austin American-Statesman were December 28, 2025, and January 4, and 11, 2026.