Mobility & Infrastructure
Committee Memorandum
TO: MOBILITY & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DATE: JUNE 12, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: 1, 4, and 5
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON VARIOUS CITY STORM DRAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION BY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ISSUE:
Receive and file an update of Various City Storm Drain Capital Improvement Projects funded by the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for design and construction by the Public Works Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee receive and file updates on various Citywide Storm Drain Capital Improvement Projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department is committed to funding and advancing the construction of Master Drainage Plan (MDP) projects to mitigate flooding risks and enhance the quality of life in the City of Riverside.
In 2020, the Public Works Department completed construction of the Monroe Master Drainage Plan Line E, Stages 2 and 3, Line E-2 and Line E-5 (Attachment 1). This project, funded by the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCD) and designed and constructed by the Public Works Department, has significantly reduced flooding, alleviated traffic congestion during heavy storm events, and improved overall public safety.
Building on the success of this project, the Public Works Department has over the years requested funding from RCFCD to design and construct three new drainage projects and conduct a Master Plan Drainage Study. These efforts include:
Box Springs MDP Line D, Stage 1 (Attachment 2).
Southwest Riverside MDP Line E-1, Stage 1 (Attachment 3).
Monroe MDP, Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 (Attachment 4).
Master Drainage Plan for the Northside Specific Plan Area (Attachment 5).
DISCUSSION:
Monroe Master Drainage Plan Line E, Stages 2 and 3, Line E-2 and Line E-5 On May 16, 2017, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with RCFCD to fund the design and construction of the Monroe Master Drainage Plan Line E, Stages 2 and 3 and Line E5 storm drain improvements. The Project constructed approximately 2.12 miles of underground storm drain pipes and ancillary structures at the following locations:
Gratton Street – from Lincoln Avenue to Hermosa Drive
Dufferin Avenue – from Gratton Street to Adams Street
Hermosa Drive – from Gratton Street to St. Lawrence Street Construction was completed in December 2022, significantly improving flood control and drainage in the Arlington Heights area.
Box Springs Master Drainage Plan Line D, Stage 1
As part of the City’s preparation for the Third Street Grade Separation Project - which will construct an underpass at the existing at-grade BNSF railroad crossing from Vine Street to Park Avenue - Public Works collaborated with RCFCD to prioritize constructing the Box Springs MDP Line D, Stage 1 Project to address flood control needs in the area.
On January 25, 2022, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with RCFCD to fund the design and construction of this project ahead of the Third Street Grade Separation Project.
The Project will install approximately 4,300 linear feet of underground storm drain pipes within the public right-of-way in Kansas Avenue, Fourth Street, and Commerce Street. Project design is nearing completion with construction anticipated to start in early 2026.
Southwest Riverside Master Drainage Plan Line E-1, Stage 1 On September 20, 2022, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with RCFCD to fund design and construction of the Southwest Riverside Master Drainage Plan Line E-1, Stage 1 Project.
This Project includes the construction of approximately 4,200 linear feet of underground storm drain pipes and ancillary structures to improve drainage and flood protection along Dufferin Avenue, John Street, and Victoria Avenue as well as for the properties located downstream of the area (Attachment 3). The project is currently in the design phase with construction anticipated to begin in summer of 2026.
Monroe Master Drainage Plan, Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 In 2018, RCFC completed the Monroe Storm Stage 4 project between Magnolia Avenue and California Avenue, where RCFC replaced the open concrete lined channel with a reinforced concrete box. In 2019, Public works completed a beautification project, installing new landscaping, drip-irrigation, and a decorative pathway over the storm drain box. Public works plans to undertake similar improvements along Monticello Avenue as part of a separate project, replacing an undersized open channel that requires frequent maintenance.
On September 21, 2021, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with RCFC to fund the design and construction of the Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 Project, which aims to increase the existing storm drain system’s capacity and enhance flood protection for the surrounding areas. The Project will remove approximately 3,400 linear feet of existing concrete lined open channel and replace it with a reinforced concrete box along Monticello Avenue between California Avenue and Colorado Avenue (Attachment 4).
On January 28, 2025, the City Council approved a Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Proactive Engineering Consultant, Inc. to complete the engineering design of the project. As part of this effort, the Public Works Department will incorporate a decorative pathway and new landscaping over the closed concrete channel to enhance pedestrian connectivity and promote active transportation within the neighborhood. Project design is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026 with construction beginning in summer of 2027.
Master Drainage Plan for the Northside Specific Plan Area On July 6, 2021, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with RCFC to fund the preparation of the Northside Master Drainage Plan within North Side Specific Plan area (Attachment 5).
On August 1, 2023, the City Council approved a Professional Consultant Agreement with Proactive Engineering Consultant, Inc., to provide engineering services for the Northside Master Drainage Plan. The Northside Master Drainage Plan will develop a detailed hydrology and hydraulics analysis to investigate and evaluate drainage problems and detail feasible capital improvements and backbone storm drain improvements to provide adequate flood protection. The drainage study is currently in progress and is anticipated to be completed by Summer of 2025.
RCFC Funding
The following table shows the funding provided by RCFC for each Project:
Phase
Project
Funding
Planning Phase
Northside Master Drainage Plan
$363,350
Design and Construction Phases
Monroe Master Drainage Plan Line E, Stages 2 and 3, Line E-2 and Line E-5 $12,674,370
Box Springs Master Drainage Plan Line D, Stage 1
$3,555,000
Southwest Riverside Master Drainage Plan Line E-1, Stage 1 $5,485,573
Monroe Master Drainage Plan, Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 $13,800,000
Total RCFC Funding: $35,878,293
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item aligns with Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility, and Connectivity and the following goals:
Goal 6.2 – Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
Goal 6.3 – Identify and pursue new and unique funding opportunities to develop, operate, maintain, and renew infrastructure and programs that meet the community’s needs. Furthermore, this item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – These projects reduce flooding in the City. The new storm drain systems will minimize storm damage and public inconvenience during periods of heavy rainfall.
Equity – These Projects will minimize and/or eliminate flooding and will provide a safer and more reliable roadway network.
Fiscal Responsibility – City funds will not be used to construct these projects. These Projects exemplify the strong partnership with RCFCD to deliver valuable storm water infrastructure to the City and the region. By applying for and receiving RCFCD funds, the City will install large underground storm drain pipes and ancillary structures to intercept storm waters and minimize flooding hazards.
Innovation – Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 project will be a covered channel with a walkway on top to serve the pedestrian community while increasing flood protection.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The construction materials specified for this project are considered best practices in the industry and are expected to last well into the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Swetaben Patel, Principal Engineer
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Location Map - Monroe Master Drainage Plan Line E, Stages 2 & 3, Line E-2 & Line E-5 Location Map - Box Springs Master Drainage Plan Line D, Stage 1 Location Map - Southwest Riverside Master Drainage Plan Line E-1, Stage 1 Location Map - Monroe Master Drainage Plan, Monroe Storm Drain, Stage 5 Location Map - Northside Specific Plan Master Drainage Plan Update on Various Storm Drain Capital Improvement Projects ● Page 2