PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements
Jordan Matney, Deputy City Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Public hearing, discussion, and possible action approving a project expenditure, of up to $240,000, to fund the Dry Comal Creek Floodplain Remapping Project, pursuant to Section 505.152 of the Texas Local Government Code.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1, 3, 5, & 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Dry Comal Creek (DCC) is a major waterway through New Braunfels and can be, at times, a major source of flooding. The DCC was last modeled and mapped in 2003 in the city limits and in 2005 upstream of the city limits. Outdated floodplains hinder development and hinder floodplain management as flood risks are uncertain.
The proposed DCC Remapping Project would aim to update the FEMA floodplain maps of the DCC and a portion of the Upper DCC and assist economic development opportunities within the DCC trail and the adjacent creek area. The route would start at the confluence of DCC and the Guadalupe River and end at the Soil Conservation Service Site Number 2 Reservoir in Comal County just outside city limits. The project is estimated to begin three months after securing funding and will incur approximately nine months and a final FEMA review. The anticipated benefits of this project are to (1) update floodplain maps with current data, (2) provide accurate information to assess/mitigate flood risks throughout the study area, and (3) help reduce cost hurdles for developers to undertake floodplain analyses before developing land.
This item was presented to the NBEDC at their May 15, 2025, workshop meeting. At the June 24, 2025, workshop, the NBEDC directed staff to advance this item for public hearing and possible action at the July 17, 2025 meeting.
If approved, the New Braunfels City Council will consider action in August 2025.
ISSUE:
Existing floodplain maps of the Dry Comal Creek are outdated - updating the FEMA maps will provide updated information in order to assess/mitigate flood risks and assist economic development opportunities within the DCC and in the adjacent land.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The NBEDC has appropriate reserves to fund this project. The not to exceed amount of $240,000 includes a 20% contingency.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the project expenditure to fund the Dry Comal Creek Remapping Project