Engineering Services Scope and Fee for Rush Creek Flood Study
Submitted By:
Tracy Homfeld
Department:
Engineering
Request Type:
GENERAL
Information
Department Action
The Collin County Engineering Department requests your consideration of the attached scope and fee presented by the County’s General Civil Engineering Consultant, Freese and Nichols.
At the request of staff, F&N has submitted the attached scope to prepare a flood study for a small stretch of Rush Creek, located in unincorporated Collin County off FM 2514 and Paul Wilson Rd near Wylie, TX. (Maps attached). History of Floodplain Fill Violations:
Fill has been placed in the Special Flood Hazard Area (100-yr floodplain) along Rush Creek for many years. Staff has been in contact with multiple landowners regarding these violations, with no resolutions, since approximately 2012. After several intense rain events, staff was notified that Paul Wilson road had been inundated in the area of the fill. In late 2018 we called a meeting of five landowners that have knowingly placed fill, or made improvements, that could adversely affect the floodplain. To avoid charges being filed, we gave the owners the option of removing the improvements or presenting staff with a study. Current Status:
Two landowners have opted to remove fill or improvements. We are working with them to do that. Three landowners decided to pursue studies. These three landowners have placed the most fill. After talking with multiple engineers, staff deemed that the study needs to be completed by one engineer to assure that assumptions were made equitably throughout the basin. The owners could not decide on one engineers therefore staff is recommending that the County manage the study with our General Consulting Firm, Freese and Nichols. F&N has presented staff with a scope and fee. The total fee is $25,000. Our recommendation would be for the cost to be split among the three remaining landowners, with Collin County contributing the last fourth, or $6,250, of the total cost of $25,000. Funding is available in the Engineering FY2019 Consultants line item.
We have received verbal agreement from the three landowners that they will participate in the funding of the study. We ask that the court consider the following:
Approve the Scope and Fee and front the entire cost of the study, $25,000 allowing the landowners a timeframe in which to pay their portion. Collin County’s ultimate participation would be $6,250 after reimbursement; or
Approve the Scope and Fee contingent on first receiving all participatory costs from the three land owners. Collin County’s participation would be $6,250.
Action:
We request that the court consider approval of the above mentioned Engineering Services Scope and Fee as described in either option 1 or option 2 above.
Purchasing Department Action
Request Commissioners' Court consideration and any action regarding approval of a scope and fee from Freese and Nichols, Inc., the County's general civil engineer of record per AGR 2018-359 (CO# 2019-092-02-04) for a flood study on a small portion of Rush Creek located in unincorporated area of Collin County off FM 2514 and Paul Wilson Rd near Wylie, TX, for the amount of $25,000. MD
HR and/or IT Action
Budget Department Action
Funding is available for the preparation of a flood study for a small stretch of Rush Creek. Total fee is expected to be $25,000 split between 3 landowners and the county equally leaving the county portion $6,250. When checks are received from the landowners totaling $18,750 a Budget Amendment will need to be completed to budget the landowners contributions. Road & Bridge Fund (1010).
Auditor's Office Action
Funds available in the Road and Bridge Fund. Budget amendment will be processed upon approval.
Commissioners Court
Scope and Fee from Freese and Nichols, Inc. for a flood study on a portion of Rush Creek located in unincorporated area of Collin County FM2514 and Paul Wilson Road near Wylie, Texas, Engineering.