Agenda Item Wording:
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Stormwater master plan update - Receive a presentation on the stormwater master plan progress and provide direction regarding releasing for public comments.
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Agenda Date: 08/17/2026
Prepared by: Katherine Woodhull-Fuget, Associate Engineer, Katherine.Woodhull-Fuget@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4447
Eric Bons, Senior Civil Engineer, Eric.Bons@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4350
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.Crawford@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Director, Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4495
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that Council receive an update presentation on the stormwater master plan and direct staff to circulate the proposed stormwater master plan update for public comments.
Summary:
The stormwater master plan document has been completed by the consultant, Carollo Engineers, Inc. and is ready for public review and adoption. This staff report and presentation will provide an overview of the stormwater master plan and provide an opportunity for Council and public comment. Staff intends to return September 21, 2026 for Council approval and adoption of the stormwater master plan.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia entered into a contract with Carollo Engineers, Inc to update the City’s public facility master plans for stormwater and sanitary sewer collection and conduct a nexus study in September 2018.
The main purpose of updating these master plans is to adequately size storm water and sewer system facilities for the future growth in accordance with the 2014 General Plan update, also known as the 2030 General Plan. The 2014 General Plan update contains new policies and changes to land use types and land use densities that have a direct impact on the sizing of these facilities. The current master plans were updated in 1994. These master plans provide necessary guidance to City staff for capital project planning and to private developers as to the City’s requirements for storm water and sewer system facilities. Additionally, these master plans will include nexus studies that will provide an equitable distribution of development costs through updated development impacts fees for storm water and sanitary sewer collection.
The sanitary sewer collection system master plan was adopted by Council December 2, 2025, and the wastewater nexus and rate study is currently underway. The focus of this staff report and presentation is to provide an update of the master plan for the stormwater collection system.
The presentation accompanying this staff report will provide an overview of the final stormwater master plan, which is included as an attachment and will also be made available on the city website for public review and comment prior to adoption in September 2026.
Once the stormwater master plan is adopted in September 2026, staff will work with Carollo to resume work on the Storm Sewer Construction (fund 221) portion of the nexus study and kickoff the storm service charge rate study. The scope of work for the nexus study will include financial analysis, development of draft impact fees, and meetings with development stakeholders. Storm service charge rate study work will include financial analysis, cost of service analysis, development of draft service charges, community outreach, and the Prop 218 fee adoption process. Staff anticipates returning to Council for impact fee adoption and to initiate the Prop 218 Public Hearing process in 2027.
Fiscal Impact:
The stormwater master plan identifies near and long-term capital improvement projects to serve buildout of the 2030 General Plan Area. It includes proposed storm infrastructure projects and the estimated cost of each project, as well as whether costs should be considered operational (funded by 481 Storm Operations), address existing deficiencies (funded by 222 Storm Sewer Deficiencies), or are development-related (funded by 221 Storm Sewer Construction).
The project costs identified in the stormwater master plan will be used as the basis of the stormwater nexus study and rate study. Individual projects will be implemented through the budget cycle process which is reviewed, modified, and adopted by council.
Prior Council Action:
December 2, 2025 - Council approved and adopted the Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan.
November 3, 2025 - Council received a presentation on the update to the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan.
June 16, 2025 - Council authorized Storm Amendment 3 with Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $115,700 for additional storm master plan services and authorize the appropriation of $103,000 from fund 222 (Storm Sewer Deficiency).
February 18, 2025 - Council authorized Carollo Engineers, Inc. Sewer Amendment 1 in the amount of $238,900 for additional nexus study services, authorized the transfer of $150,000 from CP0728 Wastewater Rate Study to CP0015 Sewer Master Plan and Nexus Study, and authorized the appropriation of $24,000 from Fund 231 Wastewater Trunkline, $4,000 from Fund 431 Wastewater Operations, and $91,000 from Fund 232 Treatment Plant Expansion to CP0015.
August 19, 2024 - Council approved and adopted the Master Plan for the Water Reclamation Facility.
June 17, 2024 - Council received a report and presentation on the Final Master Plan for the Water Reclamation Facility.
February 20, 2024 - Council received a report and presentation on the Condition Assessment, Facility Plan, and Master Plan Update for the Water Reclamation Facility.
December 18, 2023 - Council authorized contract award to Dudek for the preparation of the Storm and Sewer Master Plan Environmental Impact Reports in the amount of $654,085 and the appropriation of $365,000 from Fund 231, $247,000 from Fund 221, $166,000 from Fund 222, and $3,000 from Fund 481.
April 3, 2023 - Council authorized award of an emergency contract to Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $515,400 for the Condition Assessment, Facility Plan, and Master Plan Update for the Water Reclamation Facility and the appropriation of $550,000 from Fund 431.
December 19, 2022 - Council received a presentation on the Status of the Storm and Sewer Master Plan Updates and Introduction to the Nexus Study.
December 5, 2022 - Council authorized Carollo Engineers, Inc. Contract Amendment #2 for the Update to the Stormwater Master Plan in the amount of $97,070 and the appropriation of $100,000 from the Storm Sewer Construction Fund (221) to CP9067.
August 16, 2021 - Council authorized Carollo Engineers, Inc. Contract Amendment #1 for the Update to the Stormwater Master Plan in the amount of $132,543 and the appropriation of $140,000 from Storm Sewer Construction Fund (221) to CP9067.
September 4, 2018 - Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement for RFP 17-18-29 to Update the City’s Public Facility Master Plans for Storm Water and Sanitary Sewer Collection with Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the amounts of $326,700 (CP9067) and $279,200 (CP0015), authorized the appropriation of $155,285 from Fund 221 to CP9067, and authorized the appropriation of $12,000 from Fund 231 to CP0015.
Alternatives: None
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to receive the presentation update on the stormwater master plan and authorize staff to circulate the proposed stormwater master plan update for public comments.
Environmental Assessment Status: NEPA Environmental Assessment does not apply to this project.
CEQA Review: A Notice of Exemption will be recorded within five days of Council adoption of the stormwater master plan.
Deadline for Action: 08/17/2026
Attachments:
1. Storm Master Plan Presentation
2. Stormwater Master Plan Report
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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