Oro Valley stormwater utility wins HMGP funding for Sierra Wash culvert repairs

The Oro Valley Stormwater Utility announced it has been awarded federal hazard‑mitigation funding to shore up an undermined box culvert on Sierra Wash at Via Mandarina. Richard Spiker, representing the stormwater utility, said Arizona Department of Emergency Management (DEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) authorized more than $200,000 toward the project and that the town expects to contribute a local match of about $70,000–$80,000.

Spiker said the culvert’s outlet apron had been undermined by storm flows and the grant will fund improvements to the drop structure and energy dissipation measures to reduce downstream erosion. “This is an area we’ve gone and looked at before on a field trip,” Spiker said, noting staff will prepare a formal presentation with specifics on how grant funds will be spent.

He added that the town plans to include the award in stormwater utility financial planning and that the packet for the meeting includes a $210,000 line item reflecting the AZDEMA/FEMA award. Spiker said the town will continue to seek complementary grants for other priority projects already listed on the regional multi‑jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan.

Pima County Flood Control District’s recent approval to conduct sediment and vegetation management in several Oro Valley washes — and to repair failed shotcrete panels and handrails near Riverfront Park — will supplement the town’s efforts, Spiker said. He estimated the county work being discussed at the meeting could total about $300,000. Spiker also listed other priority projects that have previously been placed on the mitigation plan, including additional Sierra Wash segments and Highlands Wash projects near the Highlands Mobile Home Park.

The utility will present a fuller report to the commission and the public with site photos, engineering scopes and the required local‑match details before seeking council approval of related contracts and construction schedules.

Approval of the meeting minutes and adjournment were handled separately; no funding motions were voted on for the culvert project at this meeting.