AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2022-218R, approving an Interlocal Agreement with Texas State University in connection with the Sessom Creek Improvements Project (Phase 2) providing, among other things, for the closure of Loquat Street near Sessom Creek and the abandonment and exchange of certain real property interests to facilitate said project; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: September 20, 2022
Department: Engineering and CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $0.00
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: August 21, 2018 (Direction to keep Loquat open) and November 3, 2021 (Executive Session - negotiate ILA with TxST and bring back discussion to Council)
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Sustainability
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Background Information:
As part of the Sessom Creek Improvements Project (Phase 2), the City must stabilize Canyon Road where Sessom Creek crosses under Loquat Street. The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) design team has requested that the City consider removing the portion of Loquat Street that crosses Sessom Creek as an alternative to rebuilding the intersection.
In 2018, City staff presented project options to the City Council and the direction received at that time was to leave Loquat Street open. The concern from Council was the apparent longer Fire Department response times to homes north of Sessom Creek. Since the City Council meeting in 2018, the desire to close Loquat Street from the residents and Texas State remains. In 2021, the Fire Department performed a detailed analysis of fire response times and determined that, with a closure of Loquat Street, resulting fire response times would be within the Fire Department’s Benchmark Performance Objective.
The City has already initiated Phase 1 of the Sessom Creek project, In order to complete Phase 2, the City will require right-of-way (ROW) from Texas State. Texas State has agreed to donate the needed ROW for Phase 2 at no cost to the City if the City closes Loquat Street as part of a larger land swap agreement.
As shown in the presentation, City staff has negotiated a land swap that provides an additional creek protection buffer for Sessom Creek, removes the dangerous low water crossing at Loquat Street by closing the road, and establishes a building setback from the neighborhood.
Based on the new information in regards to fire response times and the benefits of the proposed land swap, City staff recommends approval of the attached Interlocal Agreement with Texas State which would swap land and allow Loquat Street to be closed.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the ILA