Agenda Date: 09/15/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 66-2026: Ratifying and approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District D/B/A Mile High Flood District regarding funding of Major Drainageway Planning and Flood Hazard Area Delineation for Lee Gulch
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Sarah White, Water Resources Manager |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
Does council support ratification and approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)with Urban Drainage and Flood Control D/B/A Mile High Flood District for funding of Major Drainageway Plan and Flood Hazard Area Delineation for Lee Gulch.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High-Quality Governance; Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
Lee Gulch drains approximately 2.66 square miles and is comprised of 2 main drainage basins, Lee Gulch and Lee Gulch South Fork. The Lee Gulch drainage basin is primarily within Arapahoe County and within City of Littleton and City of Centennial jurisdictions. The Lee Gulch drainage basin within Douglas County is not considered with this updated report.
In October 1977, the Major Drainageway Plan (MDP) and Flood Hazard Area Delineation (FHAD) for Lee Gulch and Little Creek was published by KKBNA Consulting Engineers and serves as the current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulatory hydrology for the watershed. The Lee Gulch regulatory floodplain has been in the same delineation since this original 1977 FHAD. Although this study looked at future conditions, the watershed has been fully developed since the FHAD was published and rainfall data has been updated.
Watershed planning is an important way to help protect people and property against flooding, erosion, and stormwater quality problems. These plans contain a strategy and work plan to identify flood risk management projects, guide new land development projects and identify high risk areas.
Mile High Flood District along with project sponsors, Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) and the City of Littleton, are proposing updates to the Major Drainageway Plan (MDP) and Floodplain Hazard Area Delineation (FHAD). The studies will evaluate the hydrology and floodplain limits of Lee Gulch in consideration of new rainfall data and development that has occurred in the basin since the previous study in 1977. The MDP will provide a conceptual design of recommended improvements in the watershed, including estimated costs. The MDP will be used as a guide for implementing drainage improvements. The FHAD study will identify flood risk information and boundaries. The FHAD will then be used to update the FEMA floodplain maps as a physical map revision, updating the regulatory boundaries of the floodplain.
BACKGROUND:
This master plan and floodplain update has not previously been discussed by city council. The Agreement was transmitted for signature on or about August 19th, 2025, at or near the same time that council approved a separate agreement for the Lee Gulch Culvert Project with MHFD. As a result of the similarity in project names and the concurrent signature routing, the Agreement was duly executed by our Mayor, City Attorney, and City Clerk without having first been presented to, or approved by, the City Council by resolution or other formal consent, as is ordinarily required.
The signatories for the City hold the general authority to execute intergovernmental agreements on behalf of the City when duly authorized by the Council, such that the omission at issue is procedural, the absence of a prior authorizing resolution, rather than a defect in the actual signatory authority. City staff identified the omission during a routing review of the outstanding project and has immediately undertaken steps to correct the record.
City staff has notified MHFD of the administrative matter described. As MHFD did receive an executed IGA, work has commenced on the project. An invoice for $75,000.00 is currently pending payment.
Prior Actions or Discussions
N/A
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The total project cost is estimated to be $500,000. The City’s share of the costs of the project, as set forth in the Agreement, shall be a contribution of 50% of project costs split with SEMSWA for the master plan preparation, and 0% for the floodplain study costs.
The cost for a new study is shared with Mile High Flood District as follows:
City of Littleton: $75,000 (MDP 25%)
Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority: $75,000 (MDP 25%)
Mile High Flood District: $150,000 (MDP 50%)
Mile High Flood District: $200,000 (FHAD 100%)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends ratification and approval of the resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
If not approved, future design of improvements will be based upon the 1977 study which may have inaccurate hydrology that would lead to either over-designing infrastructure (greater cost) or under-designing infrastructure (increasing risk to public). Not updating floodplain maps as the watershed develops and rainfall data update also lead to under and over enforced floodplain regulations.
Not entering into a partnership agreement with MHFD and SEMSWA would require the City to fully finance the studies at $500,000 instead of the $75,000 proposed.
Not ratifying the IGA would further place the City delinquent on an invoice with a partner agency.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 66-2026 ratifying and approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District D/B/A Mile High Flood District regarding funding of Major Drainageway Planning and Flood Hazard Area Delineation for Lee Gulch.