Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance authorizing negotiation and execution of a Project Partnership Agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Watershed Protection Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $1,500,000 in grant funds from the USACE for design of the Waterloo Greenway Project - Phase 3; and amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Watershed Protection Department Capital Budget (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to transfer in and appropriate the $1,500,000 received from the USACE for design of the Waterloo Greenway Project - Phase 3. Funding: Funding in the amount of $1,500,000 is available from the USACE Environmental Infrastructure Program. A City funding match in the amount of $500,000 is required and is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Watershed Protection Department.
De
Lead Department
Watershed Protection Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $1,500,000 is available from the USACE Environmental Infrastructure Program. A City funding match in the amount of $500,000 is required and is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Watershed Protection Department. A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
October 18, 2012 - Council approved Resolution No. 20121018-068 affirming the selection of the design chosen by the Waller Creek Design Completion Jury relating to the revitalization of the Waller Creek District on a 7-0 vote.
May 24, 2018 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20180524-013 approving the amended Design Plan for the Waller Creek District on a 10-0 vote.
May 24, 2018 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20180524-012, as amended, approving Amendment No. 2 to the Project and Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone No. 17, which provided an additional $110 million to finance projects in the updated Project Plan, on a 10-0 vote.
June 16, 2022 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20220616-043 authorizing negotiation and execution of a Project Partnership Agreement with the USACE (Partnership Agreement) and amending the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Watershed Protection Department Capital Budget to accept and appropriate $9,025,000 for the Confluence Construction Project on an 11-0 vote.
February 9, 2023 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20230209-038 authorizing negotiation and execution of an amendment to the Partnership Agreement and amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Watershed Protection Department Capital Budget to accept and appropriate an additional $3,975,000 for the Confluence Construction Project on an 11-0 vote.
For More Information:
Janae Spence, Assistant Director, 512-974-6591; Taja Beekley, Capital Improvement Program Manager, 512-974-3301; Melissa Carugati, Project Manager, 512-974-8082.
Additional Backup Information:
The federal government is authorized to provide design and construction assistance for publicly owned, non-
federal water-related environmental infrastructure and for resource protection and development projects in
Texas, including projects for water supply, storage, treatment, and related facilities; water quality protection,
wastewater treatment, and related facilities; and surface water resource protection and development pursuant
to Water Resources Development Act of 2007, Section 5138, Pub. L. No. 110-114 (Section 5138). Section 5138(e) provides that the federal share of project costs shall be 75 percent.
President Biden signed into law the 2025 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, providing over $1.5 billion to the USACE, $300 million of which was allocated for the Environmental Infrastructure Program. The approved USACE Work Plan obligates $1,500,000 to initiate and complete design services for the Waterloo Greenway Project - Phase 3. Under the Environmental Infrastructure Program, a 25 percent non-federal cost share is required for total project cost.
Representing a significant public-private partnership between the City of Austin and the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the 1.5-mile Waterloo park system in downtown Austin is being planned, designed, and built in a series of geographic milestones. Phase 3 improves water quality and restores multiple sections of Waller Creek from 4th to 12th Streets. This scope of work includes design services for 9th to 12th Streets for reconstruction of eroded creek banks, stormwater retrofits for inline treatment at several outfall locations, and revegetation of riparian slopes, providing numerous environmental benefits and user connectivity. These key improvements will utilize nature-based solutions and green infrastructure to further enhance water quality within lower Waller Creek, which is listed as a Category 5 impaired waterway on the 2022 Texas Integrated Report 303(d) list, as required by the federal Clean Water Act.