Stormwater Management Oversight Committee - October 22, 2026

The City of Palo Alto Stormwater Management Oversight Committee met on October 22, 2026, to review fiscal-year actuals and the already-adopted FY2027 budget, along with ongoing stormwater capital projects. The FY2027 adopted budget’s total expenses were cited as approximately $9,749,995. Staff said revenues were about $1 million below budget, largely because EPA grant reimbursements were delayed and would be reappropriated; stormwater fee revenue was close to budget. Capital project spending differed from annual budgets because contract expenditures span fiscal years, including work on Corporation Way and West Bayshore. No new contract award or spending approval was clearly made at this meeting; the FY2027 budget had previously been approved by City Council. The committee also heard that the Hamilton Avenue project’s second phase was not installed because of deficiencies in the first phase, with further decisions expected later. Staff discussed potentially using contractors for emergency storm response, but no related award was approved; Anderson Pacific and other existing contractors were mentioned as possible support.

Staff outlined early planning for a storm drain master plan update, likely funded through the recurring capital improvement program and involving a consultant, to inform possible projects and a future stormwater ballot measure ahead of the current measure’s 2032 sunset. The discussion also covered limited funding for green stormwater infrastructure maintenance, possible future regulatory requirements, and the need to consider funding needs and fee structures during future planning. The committee approved the prior meeting’s minutes; no procurement-related vote was identified.