Council Report

City of Mesa — City Council (2026-05-18)

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City Council Report 
 
 
Date: 
May 18, 2026 
To: 
City Council 
Through: 
Marc Heirshberg, Assistant City Manager 
From: 
Lance Webb, City Engineer 
Marc Ahlstrom, Assistant City Engineer 
 
Subject: 
Southern and Hawes Drainage Improvements 
City Project No. CP1282SHDI 
Council District 5 
 
 
Purpose and Recommendation 
 
The purpose of this report is to request Council approval of a resolution authorizing the 
City of Mesa to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Flood Control District 
of Maricopa County (District) for the design and construction of drainage improvements 
on Southern Avenue west of Hawes Road (Refer to Exhibit “A” for the project location). 
 
Staff recommends council approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager to 
execute this IGA on behalf of the city. 
 
Background 
 
On October 19, 2022, the District Board of Directors adopted Resolution FDC 2022R003 
(C-69-23-013-X-00) authorizing the District to cost-share in recommended drainage 
projects by local agencies under the District’s Small Project Assistance Program (SPAP). 
In August 2025, City staff received approval for the Southern and Hawes Drainage 
Improvements project. 
 
After significant rain events, runoff from the Fountain of the Sun community has backed 
up into several of the community’s local streets. In past storm events, one resident has 
experienced garage flooding and other residents have also been at risk of significant 
damage. This project will enlarge the perimeter wall openings for conveyance to allow 
more flow to exit the Fountain of the Sun community and install additional drainage inlets 
into the existing box culvert in Southern Avenue to increase inlet capacity and minimize 
the effects of debris and clogging.

Discussion 
 
The purpose of the IGA is to define the responsibilities of the District and the City for 
design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, construction, construction management, 
operation, and maintenance of the proposed project. The City must participate in the 
design and construction cost of the project and also operate and maintain the facilities. 
The District will fund seventy-five percent (75%) of the project construction costs incurred 
and invoiced between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027, up to a maximum of $1,000,000.00 
per project in accordance with the District’s SPAP as stated in the IGA. 
 
Alternatives 
 
The City Council could choose not to enter into this IGA with the District. The City’s lack of 
participation in this program would forfeit the opportunity to obtain reimbursement of 
seventy-five percent (75%) of the project’s design and construction costs, resulting in the 
total cost of the project being the City’s responsibility and further prolong the problems 
experienced with this drainage issue in this community. 
 
Fiscal Impact 
The District will fund seventy-five percent (75%) of the project design and construction 
costs incurred for the project up to a maximum contribution of $1,000,000. The City will be 
responsible for funding the remainder of the cost. The City will also be 100% responsible 
for land acquisitions, landscape aesthetic improvements, utility conflicts, construction 
administration, operation, and maintenance costs. A breakdown of the total estimated 
construction cost for the project is as follows: 
 
 
Project 
Description 
City Estimated 
Contribution 
District Estimated 
Design & Construction 
Contribution 
Total Estimated 
Design & Construction 
Cost 
Southern and 
Hawes Drainage 
Improvements 
$105,433 
$316,297 
$421,730 
 
 
The local matching funds will come from the City Environmental Compliance Fee (ECF) 
in the Transportation Capital Improvement Program. 
 
Coordinated With 
 
The Transportation Department concurs with this recommendation.