City Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
City Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026
The City Council convened on February 3, 2026, at 20:30 UTC to approve minutes and address a series of new business items primarily focused on contract amendments, change orders, and service agreements. Two members were present at the time of the call for new business. The council unanimously approved all 16 items presented, ranging from engineering service extensions for flood control projects to administrative grants and facility modifications.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the previous meeting were adopted unanimously with a motion and second.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments or testimony were recorded during this meeting transcript.
Discussion Items
-
Engineering Services Contract Amendments
- Brett presented a $120,410 amendment to McGiffert to extend services from the design phase to the bid and construction phase for the Cypress Creek project (NOAA 2.0 program, near Skyland and Scotland).
- Brett presented a $15,112 amendment to Duncan Coker for engineering services regarding resurfacing of ramp access on the 297 bridge at the Jack Warner Parkway intersection. The scope change responded to a recent request to utilize existing traffic control mitigation efforts to resurface the ramps, in addition to the nearby Jack Warner Parkway resurfacing.
- Clint presented a service agreement with Kansas City Southern Railroad Company for approximately $17,000. This covers the railroad's mandatory review of engineering plans (at 6% submission) for the Stillman Bull Bar Bridge Replacement Project. The review ensures compliance with railroad standards for height, width, and clearance. Staff noted the city has no leeway in selecting the reviewing firm.
- Item 16: An amendment of $419,885 to Davis Architects for the Saving Center project. This funds a redesign to relocate the Saban exhibit from the lobby to a temporary space, moving the existing temporary exhibit to a shell space on the second level. Staff explained that donors were briefed in October regarding this potential change and agreed to cover the costs if it occurred. The relocation is intended to improve logistics and proximity to the loading dock and other main attractions.
-
Contractors and Change Orders
- Josh presented a deductive change order of $51,966.36 from the Meet Wright Ferry Road project contract (GFC and Dominion Construction). Funds are returned to the 2022 C-bond issuance (funded by TCRIC); final accounting is pending project closeout.
- Mr. Garney presented a $10,700 minor public works contract with Green Acres Landscaping LLC to restore ornamental driveways and landscaping on Lake Vista Drive following waterline repairs.
- Mr. Garney presented a $120,000 professional services contract for intermediate wastewater treatment program lift stations (L2 and L33). A previous trial for stations 39 and 41 showed success in gas reduction, with a future contract for those stations anticipated.
- Item 14: Discussion regarding the Savings Center exhibit fabrication. A deductive change order removed $286,991.12 from contractor 1220. A subsequent change order added the same amount to 49 Degrees. The scope remains unchanged in total cost; the shift is to ensure the schedule of January 2027 to late summer/early fall 2027 is met by utilizing two installers.
- Item 16: A change order of $424,666 for the Garner Ridge sewer project (Hargro Road to Highway D2). This covers the full replacement of seven manholes deemed beyond rehabilitation. The contract total is raised to approximately $3.8 million, adding 150 days to the schedule (completion October 2nd). Funding is sourced from the 2025 B bond.
-
Other Contracts and Agreements
- A professional services contract with Herndon Hicks for $7,900 to survey the Hopkins building (sold to Mr. Paton) for American Land Title Association purposes.
- Item 12: A $2,827 contract to repair wind-damaged doors at the Fletcher wastewater plant, including hinge replacement and closer installation, funded by water and sewer repairs.
- Item 13: A $7,400 contract to install a washer and dryer for custodial duties at the new warehouse on James I. Harrison, involving plumbing and anchor bolt removal.
- Item 15: Authorization for the mayor to execute a cooperative recycling grant agreement with the county, Pearl, Shelton, and UA. The city contributes no match; recent allocations have been around $400,000-$423,000.
- Item 16 (Second): A $1,260 change order for Blueprints software automation to weekly dump files into a local repository.
-
Procedural Remarks
- Council member Mr. Bogby acknowledged that the Savings Center layout changes were discussed in executive session last fall and that negotiations were transparent. He noted the decision was a "probability" based on prior donor briefings.
- Staff invited council members for a walkthrough of the Saving Center, noting the roof is complete and steel is being erected for the second and third levels.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Adopted: The previous minutes were adopted unanimously.
- 15 Contract and Change Orders Approved: All presented items regarding engineering, construction, landscaping, and professional services were approved via motion, second, and unanimous voice vote ("Aye").
- Timeline Updates: The Garner Ridge sewer project deadline extended to October 2nd. The Savings Center exhibit installation is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
- Funding Confirmation: The Savings Center redesign costs ($419,885) are confirmed to be covered by donor funds based on prior agreements. Recycling grant funds require no city match.
- No Objections: No members expressed opposition to any items during the discussion or voting process.
Meeting Transcript
If you would take a look at the minutes, there's a motion to adopt those. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Minutes are adopted. Um obviously we have two members present today. It wouldn't irritate either one of us if you've got something pending today. Item number one under new business. Contract amendment to the engineering services. Brett, we're gonna come on up here and tell us what's got good afternoon. Good afternoon. Um yeah, this is a contract amendment for 120,000 120,410 to extend McGiffert's engineering services into the bid and construction phase of the Cypress Creek project. This is uh one of the NOAA 2.0 program projects. One of the what? No uh 2.0 program projects. Okay. Um this is again kind of south of Skyland near Scotland. So we're just extending their uh provision of services into a different phase, correct? From which phase from design, and now we're moving towards bid and construction. Okay. Any questions? No comments, none motion, second all in favor say aye. Aye, items approved. Number two, Brett. Um this is a contract amendment with Duncan Coker in the amount of fifteen thousand twelve dollars. This is due to the engineering component for a recent scope change to add um resurfacing to the bridge ramps on the um 297 bridge associated with the Jack Warner Parkway 297 intersection improvements. This is again towards the end of Jack Warner near Newcore where the Bryant Bridges located. Originally there the project was just gonna deal with the intersection towards the south of the bridge, but we're now resurfacing up to the bridge, those ramps will be covering the engineering costs. Why were we not originally and we are now I'm not sure why we weren't originally, but there was we had a request at the at the last session, and I think I think it's a good proposal because here we're already having to have traffic control and do improvements at these ramps, so while we're having to mitigate traffic, it's a good time to go ahead and resurface. We've also recently resurfaced Jack Warner Parkway in that area. It does it really need it. Okay, any questions comments? I'll make a motion. Second, all in favor say aye. Aye, items approved. Uh Clint, where are you at? Come on up and tell us what you got, buddy. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Yes, sir. So this is uh approval uh of a railroad review service agreement uh with Kansas City Southern Railroad Company to review the engineering plans for the Stillman Bull Bar Bridge Replacement Project. So we are in the design phase right now. We had six percent plans submitted last month, and so um we're asking for a service agreement to have the railroad review these plans, make sure it's to their standards because we're going over their railroad, and um that is what this is. I can give just a what you sent me the note about Frontier. Yes, sir, yes, sir. And I don't have an objection to it. I'm not sure I understand now. What I got you uh so this bridge it's going over the railroad tracks. Um they require several things, height, width, make sure they get their railroad uh through our bridge, and so it's uh it's just for uh them to review these plans uh to make sure it follows their specs.
openpublica.com