Deer Park highlights sidewalks, drainage, water infrastructure and communications tower in CIP update

City engineers and public‑works staff on June 22 outlined the capital projects under consideration for the five‑year Capital Improvement Plan and identified funding approaches for several large items.

Dee (engineering) described the annual sidewalk program (about $375,000) to eliminate tripping hazards, add corner ramps and build missing sidewalks, and outlined drainage projects and upcoming contractor engagement for identified ditch work. "We have $375,000... and we're going to build new sidewalks," Dee said, and added that library plumbing work has been scoped with proposals expected to open July 2.

Public Works (speaker 14) presented several larger projects. Staff described a proposed replacement Koi well at about $3.4 million to restore standby raw water capacity and help meet TCEQ operational requirements if the plant is unavailable. On treatment‑plant maintenance, staff said sludge removal at the surface water plant is expensive because quantities are uncertain until work begins; "This is not a cheap job. It's $1,250,000, but we really need to get this done," the presenter said.

Traffic-signal modernization and digital infrastructure were also flagged. Public Works proposed replacing unreliable in‑pavement loop detectors with Miovision camera systems (approx. $1.63 million) at major intersections. Separately, an IT/infrastructure presenter outlined a proposed 100‑foot communications tower at the wastewater treatment plant for roughly $150,000 to complete the city’s communications ring and provide 10‑gigabit connectivity and improved resiliency.

Parks and recreation projects included a $750,000 restroom renovation and parking expansion at the adult softball complex, playground replacements (Park Meadows, ~ $250,000) and replacement of pool shade structures. Staff said many CIP items are cash funded from the CIP fund, Deer Park Community Development Corporation (CDC) and water/sewer funds; several high‑priority water projects will be debt‑funded (certificates of obligation) in an issuance staff described as the first round of multi‑year debt.

Why it matters: staff said concentrating on proactive drainage and sidewalk programs will reduce reactive maintenance costs, that water/wastewater projects are critical for service continuity and regulatory compliance, and that the proposed work would be phased over the five‑year plan according to funding capacity and priority. Staff invited council questions and said project details and funding sources are available in the workbook and will be part of the formal September CIP re‑adoption.

Next steps: staff will refine scopes and return with final project lists and funding recommendations during the July and September budget cycle.