PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: April 8, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide, Outside
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Water Utilities Department
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a professional services contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc. to provide engineering services for the Dam Safety Consulting Services Contract at eleven locations (list attached to the Agenda Information Sheet) - Not to exceed $2,918,200.00 - Financing: Water Construction Fund ($2,348,800.00), Storm Drainage Management Capital Construction Fund ($320,400.00) and General Fund ($249,000.00)
*In alignment with Capital Improvement Program.
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas Water Utilities and Park and Recreation Department own and operate numerous dams, which impound water for flood control, water supply, and recreation purposes. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the National Dam Safety Act, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have requirements and recommendations for dam safety inspections, operations and maintenance programs, and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). Twenty-three dams owned by the City of Dallas have been identified as subject to at least a part of these requirements. Eleven of those dams are classified as high hazard dams by TCEQ. This contract will provide the professional services necessary to conduct evaluations, inspections, and meet regulatory obligations for the eleven high hazard dams.
This action will authorize a professional services contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the Dam Safety Consulting Services Contract. The scope of services include safety inspections, tabletop exercises for emergency planning, and dam safety engineering services for the City of Dallas high hazard dams. TCEQ requires safety inspections for high hazard dams to be conducted every five years. EAP testing, through tabletop exercises, is also required to be conducted every five years. These exercises test the efficacy of the City’s emergency response in the event of a dam breach. These exercises will be coordinated to provide training for all potentially impacted departments in the City and responding agencies.
The consulting firm for this project was selected following a qualifications-based selection process in accordance with City of Dallas Administrative Directive 4-05 procurement guidelines.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Services May 2026
Complete Services December 2030
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Water Construction Fund |
$2,348,800.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Storm Drainage Management Capital Construction Fund |
$ 320,400.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$ 249,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$2,918,200.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Council District Amount
Citywide $2,492,600.00
Outside $ 425,600.00
Total $2,918,200.00
LOCAL PARTICIPATION
|
Prime |
Status |
Workforce % |
|
Freese and Nichols, Inc. |
Local |
42.00% |
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
Murphy Parks, P.E., CFM, Principal and Vice President
MAPS
Attached