PRESENTER: Presenter
Phillip Quast, Watershed Supervisor
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Arcadis for the design of a biofiltration system to be located adjacent to Landa Park Drive and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
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DISCUSSION:
The City of New Braunfels (City) is a partner in the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). The EAHCP, managed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), protects endangered species that live in the San Marcos and Comal Springs fed by the Edwards Aquifer by managing groundwater use, implementing proactive programs to protect habitat and improve water quality (e.g., green infrastructure and habitat restoration), and supporting measures (e.g., monitoring, research and refugia). Each year, the City participates in the EAHCP in a variety of ways, including by implementing new capital projects in New Braunfels to protect the Comal Springs.
This project includes reconstruction of a new 15 - 17 slot parking lot along Landa Park Drive (See attached Scope of Work for location details). To capture and treat stormwater from this parking lot, the City is also constructing a biofiltration system. The biofiltration system will reduce non-point source pollution to the Comal River by collecting and infiltrating stormwater that would otherwise discharge into the river. The parking lot will be reconfigured to optimize traffic flow, maximize the number of parking spaces, and potentially regrade the lot to improve water flow. The biofiltration basin will be designed along the boundary with Landa Park Drive to capture flow from the parking lot and the prior recreational center and Parks and Recreation Department maintenance building roofs draining to the parking lot. A new outfall will be designed underneath Landa Park Drive to convey water from the biofiltration basin underdrain to an outfall on the opposite side of Landa Park Drive.
On July 11, 2025, Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) were released to pre-qualified firms in the Stormwater Engineering category, utilizing the New Braunfels Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) for Professional Services. On July 25, 2025, the City received five responses to the SOQ. City staff evaluated the responses received based on identified criteria requirements, understanding of the project approach, experience, proposed personnel, and timeline of project and tasks. Based on staff’s evaluation, Arcadis was selected as the most qualified proposer for this project. The fee for design of this project will be $275,000 and will be funded by the EAHCP grant.
ISSUE:
Continue an ongoing program of infrastructure, construction, and maintenance.
Seek alternative funding sources and partnerships that extend city tax dollars.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
This project is funded 100% by the EAHCP, therefore sufficient funding is available.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Arcadis for the design of a biofiltration system to be located adjacent to Landa Park Drive.