11/12/24 – On the Harris County Commissioners Court agenda for today, Harris County Engineering has 71 items. Harris County Flood Control (HCFCD) has seven. HCFCD used to battle Engineering each meeting for the title of “most projects on the agenda.” But not these days.
The disparity raises questions about HCFCD. Like “What’s going on?”
The seven HCFCD items include:
Two hike-and-bike trail agreements
Two engineering contracts
Three condemnation proceedings
But no construction that would actually reduce flooding.
Other Flood-Control Items Not Listed Under Flood Control
To be fair, HCFCD also has the following items on the agenda under different department names/headings:
Under the County Attorney, a settlement agreement
Under Grants, two requests to accept money (from FEMA and Homeland Security)
Under Purchasing, one request to advertise a project for bid
Also under Purchasing, approval of one contract each for:
Mowing
Floating, vegetated islands in a detention basin
Recycling surplus tires
Seed-mix development at Texas A&M
Lawn care
Under Emergency Items:
An engineering contract to design a Friendswood Regional Stormwater Detention Basin
Purchase of additional property at the Armand Bayou Nature Preserve
But that’s not all.
$30,000 for an Employee-Engagement Event?
Last but not least, under Travel and Training, for those who care to read the fine print, there’s another item on the agenda: $30,000 for an “Employee engagement event.” See Item 191, Line Item 5 on Page 24.
An HCFCD spokesperson says, “That item refers to funding for employee recognition opportunities, including a lunch event in December for the team.”
As a former business owner, I understand the need for employee recognition. But I never spent that much money on lunch. Nor did my company’s money come from public taxes after a 63% tax increase that squeaked by with a 2% margin of victory.
Regardless of the $30,000 lunch’s merits, the optics don’t look good.
HCFCD said the tax increase would fund increased maintenance needed, in large part, because of increased capital-improvement spending. But there’s not one capital-improvement construction contract on today’s agenda that will actually reduce flooding.
It’s unclear why HCFCD has slowed down. But it has.
In the third quarter of this year, spending slowed to pre-bond levels, according to HCFCD data obtained by a FOIA request.
With about 60% the 2018 Flood Bond still unspent, construction companies say they have capacity available. Money and availability are not the issues.
Neither is staffing. The lunch is for 360 people. That’s more than under the previous administration.
So, maybe it is time to boost employee engagement! But please. The manager of the local Denny’s told me they would cater the event for half the price.
11/10/24 – Rafael, the up/down, on/off, east/west, north/south storm that defied prediction while stalking the Caribbean and Gulf for the past week, has lost its punch.
Rafael, a Rarity
Rafael reached Category 3 hurricane strength twice on its sojourn. By 9AM this morning, it was barely a tropical storm. And the National Hurricane Center believes it could turn into a remnant low…without making landfall in the U.S. or Mexico.
According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, “It is fairly rare for a tropical system in the Gulf to dissipate without reaching land somewhere, but it does happen. The last time something like this occurred this time of year was Hurricane Jeanne in 1980 (Nov 12-15).”
So Rafael will be the second in 45 years!
Rafael’s track across the Gulf of Mexico looked like a loop-de-loop on a roller coaster ride. A Facebook posted proclaimed, “someone should give that storm a DUI.”
Rafael Now a Post Tropical Depression
NHC posted this morning that it expected Rafael to become a post-tropical depression later tonight or tomorrow. It happened by 3 PM Houston CST when winds were measured at 35MPH. And with that, NHC issued its last advisory on Rafael.
“Surface circulation has become poorly defined and very elongated in the north-south direction. Since Rafael does not possess a well-defined center or organized convection, it no longer meets the definition of a tropical cyclone. This will be the final NHC advisory on Rafael,” said NHC.
Will Not Reform Given Amount of Dry Air
This isn’t just a case of a storm stalling while it gathers strength. Lindner says, “Given the large amounts of dry air in place over the Gulf, there is little hope for any regeneration once the system becomes a remnant low later today or Monday.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/10/24
2630 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1000x1000.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000&ssl=110001000adminadmin2024-11-10 15:14:242024-11-11 08:01:11Rafael Fades into History Books
11/09/2024 – A 900,000 cubic yard, $34 million Lake Houston dredging program announced in late 2023 may still launch this year, according to District E Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger. Reportedly contributing to delays according to sundry sources at different times and places:
Floods in January and May that deposited additional sediment
Callan Marine has had their dredge, The General Pershing, docked on the San Jacinto West Fork south of the Forest Cove Pool since at least April 1 this year. Despite several delays, District E officials say the program should start in December.
Callan Dredge docked south of Forest Cove Pool on south side of West Fork.Dredge pipe assembled and stockpiled opposite dredge on north side of river.
The primary objective: to maximize storage recovery within Lake Houston’s conservation pool.
Area between FM1960 and Kings Point currently has one of the largest sediment build-ups.
Costello showed slides that projected the loss of 360-460 acre feet per year in the Lake. He also showed maps that showed where accumulated silt and sand intruded the most into the lake’s conservation pool. One of the worst areas was between FM1960 and the confluence of the East and West Forks south of Kings Point.
In the October 2023 town hall meeting, Costello also talked about beneficial secondary uses for the spoils. For instance:
Replenishing eroded farmland
Building the Ike Dike
Re-nourishing eroded beaches
Manufacturing concrete.
Mobilization and Delays
Costello, who was Mayor Sylvester Turner’s flood czar, left City employment after the change in administrations earlier this year.
Callan has also reportedly spent several months trying to identify the best location for disposal of the dredging spoils. Last week, they evidently reported to the City that they had purchased a site in Huffman.
Disposal of spoils is complex. It involves economic, environmental, floodplain, and operational issues. The closer to the operation, the better. That minimizes pumping costs.
But in licensing such sites, the Army Corps historically has expressed concern about sediment stored in a floodplain. They don’t want it to wash back into the lake. That could affect water quality and negate any benefit from dredging in terms of the lake’s storage volume.
Other possible delays included potential change in the scope of the project. Floods in January and May deposited additional sediment in Lake Houston and clogged the entries to stream/ditches that outfall into Lake Houston. For instance, the outfall of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch became almost totally blocked.
Because the cost of mobilizing a dredging program is large, it makes sense to do as much as possible while the dredge is here. The City applied for additional aid from FEMA but has not yet heard back yet.
Meanwhile, Callan’s dredge has remained idle for more than seven months. But City officials hope December could be the month when all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
Originally, Costello scheduled the project to last through November 2025.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/9/24
2629 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241109-DJI_20241109154358_0207_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-11-09 18:42:362024-11-09 18:47:55Lake Houston Dredging Program May Still Launch This Year
Commissioners Court Agenda Raises HCFCD Questions
11/12/24 – On the Harris County Commissioners Court agenda for today, Harris County Engineering has 71 items. Harris County Flood Control (HCFCD) has seven. HCFCD used to battle Engineering each meeting for the title of “most projects on the agenda.” But not these days.
The disparity raises questions about HCFCD. Like “What’s going on?”
The seven HCFCD items include:
But no construction that would actually reduce flooding.
Other Flood-Control Items Not Listed Under Flood Control
To be fair, HCFCD also has the following items on the agenda under different department names/headings:
But that’s not all.
$30,000 for an Employee-Engagement Event?
Last but not least, under Travel and Training, for those who care to read the fine print, there’s another item on the agenda: $30,000 for an “Employee engagement event.” See Item 191, Line Item 5 on Page 24.
An HCFCD spokesperson says, “That item refers to funding for employee recognition opportunities, including a lunch event in December for the team.”
As a former business owner, I understand the need for employee recognition. But I never spent that much money on lunch. Nor did my company’s money come from public taxes after a 63% tax increase that squeaked by with a 2% margin of victory.
HCFCD said the tax increase would fund increased maintenance needed, in large part, because of increased capital-improvement spending. But there’s not one capital-improvement construction contract on today’s agenda that will actually reduce flooding.
It’s unclear why HCFCD has slowed down. But it has.
With about 60% the 2018 Flood Bond still unspent, construction companies say they have capacity available. Money and availability are not the issues.
Neither is staffing. The lunch is for 360 people. That’s more than under the previous administration.
So, maybe it is time to boost employee engagement! But please. The manager of the local Denny’s told me they would cater the event for half the price.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/12/2024
2632 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Rafael Fades into History Books
11/10/24 – Rafael, the up/down, on/off, east/west, north/south storm that defied prediction while stalking the Caribbean and Gulf for the past week, has lost its punch.
Rafael, a Rarity
Rafael reached Category 3 hurricane strength twice on its sojourn. By 9AM this morning, it was barely a tropical storm. And the National Hurricane Center believes it could turn into a remnant low…without making landfall in the U.S. or Mexico.
According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, “It is fairly rare for a tropical system in the Gulf to dissipate without reaching land somewhere, but it does happen. The last time something like this occurred this time of year was Hurricane Jeanne in 1980 (Nov 12-15).”
So Rafael will be the second in 45 years!
Rafael’s track across the Gulf of Mexico looked like a loop-de-loop on a roller coaster ride. A Facebook posted proclaimed, “someone should give that storm a DUI.”
Rafael Now a Post Tropical Depression
NHC posted this morning that it expected Rafael to become a post-tropical depression later tonight or tomorrow. It happened by 3 PM Houston CST when winds were measured at 35MPH. And with that, NHC issued its last advisory on Rafael.
“Surface circulation has become poorly defined and very elongated in the north-south direction. Since Rafael does not possess a well-defined center or organized convection, it no longer meets the definition of a tropical cyclone. This will be the final NHC advisory on Rafael,” said NHC.
Will Not Reform Given Amount of Dry Air
This isn’t just a case of a storm stalling while it gathers strength. Lindner says, “Given the large amounts of dry air in place over the Gulf, there is little hope for any regeneration once the system becomes a remnant low later today or Monday.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/10/24
2630 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Lake Houston Dredging Program May Still Launch This Year
11/09/2024 – A 900,000 cubic yard, $34 million Lake Houston dredging program announced in late 2023 may still launch this year, according to District E Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger. Reportedly contributing to delays according to sundry sources at different times and places:
Callan Marine has had their dredge, The General Pershing, docked on the San Jacinto West Fork south of the Forest Cove Pool since at least April 1 this year. Despite several delays, District E officials say the program should start in December.
Program Announced in October 2023
At former Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martins October 2023 Town Hall Meeting, Steven Costello announced the objectives and scope of the dredging program.
The primary objective: to maximize storage recovery within Lake Houston’s conservation pool.
Costello showed slides that projected the loss of 360-460 acre feet per year in the Lake. He also showed maps that showed where accumulated silt and sand intruded the most into the lake’s conservation pool. One of the worst areas was between FM1960 and the confluence of the East and West Forks south of Kings Point.
In the October 2023 town hall meeting, Costello also talked about beneficial secondary uses for the spoils. For instance:
Mobilization and Delays
Costello, who was Mayor Sylvester Turner’s flood czar, left City employment after the change in administrations earlier this year.
Callan has also reportedly spent several months trying to identify the best location for disposal of the dredging spoils. Last week, they evidently reported to the City that they had purchased a site in Huffman.
Disposal of spoils is complex. It involves economic, environmental, floodplain, and operational issues. The closer to the operation, the better. That minimizes pumping costs.
But in licensing such sites, the Army Corps historically has expressed concern about sediment stored in a floodplain. They don’t want it to wash back into the lake. That could affect water quality and negate any benefit from dredging in terms of the lake’s storage volume.
Other possible delays included potential change in the scope of the project. Floods in January and May deposited additional sediment in Lake Houston and clogged the entries to stream/ditches that outfall into Lake Houston. For instance, the outfall of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch became almost totally blocked.
Because the cost of mobilizing a dredging program is large, it makes sense to do as much as possible while the dredge is here. The City applied for additional aid from FEMA but has not yet heard back yet.
Meanwhile, Callan’s dredge has remained idle for more than seven months. But City officials hope December could be the month when all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
Originally, Costello scheduled the project to last through November 2025.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/9/24
2629 Days since Hurricane Harvey