Extracted text (via pymupdf)
6335 characters
ITEM 8.b. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 4/7/2026 Meeting Type: Town Council Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Public Works / Engineering Prepared by: David Janover, Town Engineer Staff Contact Information: Phone: 480-816-5112 Email: djanover@fountainhillsaz.gov Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving Resolution 2026-06, approving Amendment Five to the Intergovernmental Agreement, with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County for the Golden Eagle Park Dam Debris Mitigation Improvement Project Staff Summary (background) Golden Eagle Park lies in the flood impoundment area of Golden Eagle Park Dam. Previous flooding at the Park (particularly during storm events of Oct. 2, 2018 and Sept. 23, 2019) has demonstrated the need for drainage improvements within the Park. J.E. Fuller prepared the Golden Eagle Park Drainage Improvements Study, Technical Report and presented its findings to the Town Council on January 21, 2020 (Item 4.0 on that agenda). A contract with J.E. Fuller for the design of the recommended Phase 1 Drainage Improvements (primarily accumulated sediment removal and grading of enlarged drainage channels through the Park) was approved by the Town Council on March 3, 2020, and amended on January 4, 2022. Construction of Phase 1 improvements began in January 2025 and was completed in December 2025. Town staff submitted a proposal to the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC) under its Small Projects Assistance Program in October 2019 for the portion of the drainage improvements project that will improve the protection of the dam and downstream residences (Phase II), including: Removal of accumulated sediment from the drainage channels near the dam; Removal of the inlet (Park side) steel access barrier at the Auxiliary Principal Outlet Structure (a 10' x 4' reinforced concrete box culvert through the dam); Removal of the drop inlet approach to that structure; Regrading (lowering) the drainage channels near the dam (possible due to removal of the drop inlet approach); Placement of debris-catching features, such as bollards, upstream from the outlet structures; and Construction of a sediment drop basin near the dam. FCDMC approved the Town's funding application in October 2019. On April 7, 2020, Town Council approved Resolution 2020-14, adopting an IGA, which provided the legal basis for FCDMC participation in the project work. The IGA provides that FCDMC will fund 75% of the eligible project costs, with the Town responsible for the remaining 25%, as well as all non-fundable costs (including right-of-way acquisition, permitting, construction management, operations and maintenance, landscaping, aesthetic features, and utilities). The original estimated project cost of approximately $121,000, with FCDMC participation estimated at $90,750, is reflected in the approved IGA. Since that time, the project scope has been refined and costs have increased. The current estimated total project cost is $325,000, with FCDMC funding 75% ($243,750) and the Town responsible for a 25% match ($81,250), in addition to any non-fundable project costs. These updated cost estimates are consistent with the proposed FY27 budget which Council will consider on April 14, 2026. During the project design phase, Town staff changes and scope modifications resulted in schedule delays. The Town requested additional time from the Flood Control District to allow completion of construction within the funding period. The Flood Control District agreed to extend the construction funding period by one year, from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023. On May 3, 2022, Council adopted Amendment One to the IGA, which extended the deadline and represented the only modification to the IGA at that time. On May 15, 2023, Council adopted Amendment Two to the IGA, extending the deadline from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2024 due to delays associated with extensive review comments from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). During 2023–2024, ADWR continued its review and provided comments on the plans, which were addressed by the design consultant. This review cycle extended longer than anticipated and delayed design completion. Although the 100% construction plans were completed, construction could not be completed by June 30, 2024. On May 21, 2024, Council adopted Amendment Three to the IGA, extending the deadline from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025. In June 2025, ADWR was continuing its review of the plans for the Phase II (dam-related) improvements. The Flood Control District agreed to extend the construction deadline by an additional year, from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Amendment Four to the IGA was approved by Town Council on June 3, 2025, establishing that extension. At this time, ADWR is in the final stage of its review, and the Town is seeking to extend the deadline once more, from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The Flood Control District has agreed to this extension, and Amendment Five to the IGA establishes the revised timeline. Upon completion of the ADWR review, construction is anticipated to commence and is currently scheduled for FY27. Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Town of Fountain Hills Ordinance 16-02 amended Fountain Hills Town Code Chapter 14, which addresses flood damage prevention relating to floodplain management. Risk Analysis Not approving this IGA would result in the Town missing the deadline for construction completion, and the Town would then have to fund the FCDMD portion of the project costs for the "Golden Eagle Park Dam - Debris Mitigation Improvements", currently estimated to be $243,750, in addition to all of its other proposed costs for upgrading the drainage facilities at Golden Eagle Park. Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) N/A Staff Recommendation(s) Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2026-06. Suggested Motion MOVE to approve Resolution 2026-06. FISCAL IMPACT Fiscal Impact: $81,250 - Town Share of Capital Improvement Costs Budget Reference: N/A Funding Source: Capital Projects Fund ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 2026-06 2. IGA Amendment 5- Golden Eagle