[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6083858,"mediaKeyId","2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7","parentId",2926230,"title","Board okays amendment to include TxDOT TASA funding and RFQ step for downtown sidewalk project","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3736000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7&start=3736&end=3736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7/thumbnail_3736000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083858/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Board-okays-amendment-to-include-TxDOT-TASA-funding-and-RFQ-step-for-downtown-sidewalk-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083858-8a2c5e95832793e9c891dd26e70c2c1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639559&Signature=GO1jNh3zQonqyz4gb5Opq~xR7ka38aGbxBtsqqRrRQQvgDoF1MmcvTD9sqbTdD3ByfDGOMO3mJxaVh57IjinrnHGzDiP3~nQQgoFx381AEuntQvg3Pf58~WSeZlhzna1spD-EdFimQBJ745LM-lkEk24o5ORMOQM23koLJFNnkyE9J5mEXWoGGcxEy0es~Z~h5USpYRMSrIfs80sjgAUeuy1EIEDKsUx7wioxutGB5y39CNyqw66bJNQOxJD57ThGrx9l0V68EucRgNtB4g1VfIk02CLHdqza5-HBG3dCxCnDOxWBJBsFJudf2qgcCnoxY6xuEaK7kTvU0Xq2rpNLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-04-09T13:10:17Z","article","The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board approved a staff request to prepare an amendment to the project development agreement so the Transportation Alternative Set-Aside (TASA) program can be used for the Downtown Safe Sidewalks improvement project and directed staff to begin a request for qualifications for professional survey and engineering design services.

Staff emphasized that the TASA award will operate as a reimbursement program: the city must outlay costs and submit for reimbursement under the advanced funding agreement (AFA) terms with TxDOT. The board asked staff to provide ongoing reporting on draws and reimbursements so board members can track city outlays versus TxDOT reimbursements.

The item’s draft amendment mirrors a prior AFA (San Agustin project language), assigns city procurement and project-management responsibilities to the city, clarifies maintenance responsibilities for delivered public improvements, and updates project identifiers and insurance references. Staff and legal counsel indicated minor revisions were expected before final execution.

Why it matters

Including the TASA AFA enables state reimbursement for eligible sidewalk and pedestrian improvements downtown. Because TASA operates on a reimbursement basis, the city will need to manage cash flow and contract oversight; the board asked for monthly reporting on expenditures and reimbursements.

Next steps

The board asked the city manager to finalize the amendment and bring the executed agreement back to the board; staff will issue an RFQ for survey and design services in parallel. Staff will track cost draws against reimbursement and provide updates to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 1 Board Meeting, 04/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved staff’s request to prepare an amendment to the project development agreement so the Transportation Alternative Set-Aside (TASA) program (a TxDOT reimbursement program) can be included for the downtown Safe Sidewalks project, and authorized staff to issue an RFQ for survey and design services.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6083863,"Board authorizes posting of competitive solicitation for Iturbide public-improvement segment",231,3520000,3751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7&start=3520&end=3751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7/thumbnail_3520000.jpg","/articles/6083863/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Board-authorizes-posting-of-competitive-solicitation-for-Iturbide-public-improvement-segment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083863-482e7cf4e83df93cb88622d5435b8eed/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639559&Signature=O6G5f47l9WUe2dd6GyadeTgzOQ1EDnnA5DbDA1NUF2BriuDP3rmKBJtkkkYP8cl6BPip0p4tffcxvhyDnIXgqBZyyC0jBaAkSl9t9sB7tuuyhCWMGFT-8woITkzT173Bq1QJeiy8ut9Hm6p~gcMEtgYOF~d9IFOE01o-W-eWtrBl4zttsWijKqn0-~CzJmLGLjIhGCzEuh4wz9m2sQFidKHHsjoUC4gStS5WcCOAF2Y8TQTGdz2nVA7sPz7Nj-0Cb1Pk-CORfnTTGWgx~YWmr-MlmefOkjBbtLc0mz2BRM4G4ENKegR7yg1ctlgx56TeZAB4sD7FHeV1Yg~TjADsdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board approved a request for the city manager and city engineer to initiate and post a competitive sealed proposal solicitation for construction of the Iturbide public-improvement segment under the TIRZ downtown project series.

Board and consultant staff said there is sufficient funding to proceed with the first segment and noted that later segments will be subject to additional review and a financial workshop. Staff recommended a materials-selection workshop to identify potential cost savings and finalize product choices before the solicitation is released. The board set a tentative workshop date (transcript references April 30 as a noon meeting) to review light fixtures, poles and other streetscape materials and to coordinate invitations to other departments and stakeholders.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation and request the city manager and city engineer post the solicitation carried by voice vote.

Why it matters

Posting the competitive sealed solicitation begins the procurement process for a major downtown streetscape segment. The materials-selection workshop is intended to allow KCI, city engineering and other stakeholders to reconcile design intent with budget constraints prior to procurement.

Next steps

Staff will circulate the solicitation once finalized, host the materials-selection workshop with invited departments and vendors, and monitor bids. If initial bids exceed the available funding, staff and consultants plan to pursue value‑engineering options prior to award.","The TIRZ No. 1 board authorized the city manager and city engineer to post a competitive sealed proposal solicitation for construction of the Iturbide public-improvement segment (Downtown Project 001‑21) and scheduled a materials-selection workshop to refine specifications.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6083868,"Board declares Zaragoza Street work substantially complete; sets 60-day window for final stone cap",3499,188000,3687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7&start=188&end=3687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6083868/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Board-declares-Zaragoza-Street-work-substantially-complete-sets-60-day-window-for-final-stone-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083868-a7d9c3cb4cbc7bde80a5cd3b4992cf9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639559&Signature=FIl0sSttk7SdqEamBg2Gm6j5Bz2nZOJ0V5EUymCQEJ~25xljfGKWc6dQofVCSuzsI3JhDyQdYNOUWqy-wl5-hJxVddgL3DdG0aAR4UiUOl8~0AVn3ERBLCkeFOoNUwYhfwEwdVIPMzn9eMez8k0WswSAbNTIDyI1Qsj6oIcnNujR~NA0lEDv82Xxa2XKLrxhYx5bL-e2kY~KK4vPHn3k42n59tl3ay-d41DsgG8oDG8M1mZOB8wxkikY8CUK0~q9sqf7TRT5zUsyeNz6KWPmZHota98wz0A~pph-FM88x-93uIv1RTtLXOzTD4wsVMGUaT60a-Mrxyri3ISrzCI3rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board voted to accept the Zaragoza Street Improvements project as substantially complete while leaving one cosmetic punch-list item — a custom stone cap — outstanding.

Edward Ochoa, a consultant with KCI, told the board that manufacturing of the custom stone cap was underway and that molds had been produced. Ochoa said the manufacturer estimated the cap would take roughly four to six weeks from the date the shop drawings were approved (the transcript records final approval of shop drawings on March 29), and that once the caps are delivered the contractor could complete the remaining work in a few days.

The board approved a motion to accept the project as substantially complete and to extend the contract term to allow completion of the stone cap, specifying a 60-day completion window to allow for delivery and installation. The motion also directed staff to fill in the AIA substantial-completion form with the 60‑day completion timeline so the contractor could seek bond release for other work.

Board members and staff discussed that the remaining item was cosmetic and non-operational; Ochoa and city engineering representatives indicated the work should not interfere with operations and that the contractor was ready to finish as soon as the cap arrives. The board and staff also noted the contractor’s desire to free up the bond so the contractor could pursue other city work.

Why it matters

Accepting substantial completion while holding a defined, time-limited punch-list item open is a standard practice that allows the city to move forward administratively while ensuring the outstanding work is tracked and completed. Releasing the bond after the single item is installed would free the contractor to bid on other projects.

Clarifying details

- Shop drawings final approval date (transcript): March 29, 2025; manufacturer estimated 4–6 weeks from that date for stone cap manufacture.

- Board direction: Accept project as substantially complete, extend contract to allow completion of the stone cap and set 60 days for completion (motion passed by voice vote).","The TIRZ No. 1 board accepted the Zaragoza Street Improvements project as substantially complete pending a single cosmetic punch‑list item (custom stone cap). The contractor was given up to 60 days to finish and release of the bond was discussed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6083873,"TIRZ board approves two downtown mural grants; Bayless awarded $7,000 for interactive fence piece",1467,1116000,2583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7&start=1116&end=2583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926230-2c4669c994a8250d25a7226bd30994c7/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6083873/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/TIRZ-board-approves-two-downtown-mural-grants-Bayless-awarded-7000-for-interactive-fence-piece","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083873-032ce676f563114616fa1bce8af15970/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639559&Signature=oxNnMic7XeBWlecQl25Vbg3IuIRy69rW3jnRiWVhndKhhN6h45BgiuS2Pbr6pwR6OoU-CpQQcm9EkbbiSSkBKQhvwc6EENAOM6x-6TgwxEL8FCOspLP3fOOHbBf3JfnrCzOqZlPMowTllEt2AuOAh8whYkWaWOcmqVcWtBRC4P6cvRQ6wh3uZtYPBkF8x52IvPTOwPJFwDIh9YhkgDf5LclYcMA3yqAD1uxPcmAGEHsXa~VppgzBNWnFD4QmVkQDjWes2J8KeJvie090OL8ZcQYiDymZP9BMEzTmVPo6Uwuq-nE6lBwjordhBioIFpM~XBILqj1n9XwfLT0sJsgR9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board in Laredo approved two separate awards for downtown murals and discussed next steps for remaining sites at its recent meeting in City Hall chambers.

The board voted to approve $7,000 from the 08/02 grant for artist Emily Bayless to complete a “fence” mural installation that combines terracotta tiles and electric-blue ceramic beads on a portion of the wall at 808 Grand Street. The board also approved $14,000 for a Spanish-style mural project at 819 Iturbide, to be funded from the board’s mural allocation.

The mural program manager, Amanda Pineda, described the payment schedule and artist approvals for current projects and noted the program’s $50,000 allocation and prior commitments. She said one project’s fee was set at $14,600 and split into three payments; one of those projects is near completion and final payment is due upon completion.

Artist Emily Bayless, whose design the board approved for the 808 Grand location, described the concept and materials and said the piece will include terracotta tiles linked by jump rings so the beads move in wind. “I have done a previous mural with ceramic applied to a wall in Downtown Laredo, and it's been up for 3 years,” Bayless said, adding she was confident in the durability and repairability of the tile-and-bead method.

Board members discussed whether to award funding for full walls or partial walls, how artists could blend adjacent murals, and which projects should wait for confirmed property-owner participation or artist acceptance. The board instructed staff to allow Bayless to return with a supplemental design and proposal if she sought funding for the remaining wall.

Votes at a glance

- 08/02 Grant (808 Grand Street): Motion to approve $7,000 for the Bayless “fence” design. Motion moved (mover not specified in the public record), seconded (second recorded as \"mister Monta\" and \"mister Caballero\" in the transcript). Chair called for voice vote; motion passed. The transcript records the motion passing with no recorded nay votes.

- 819 Iturbide: Motion to approve $14,000 for a Spanish-style mural at that location. Motion moved and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters

The board is using a dedicated downtown art allocation to place murals on public and private facades as part of downtown revitalization. Approving partial awards while leaving open the option for expanded funding lets the board move an installation forward while preserving the chance to coordinate larger, blended works on long walls.

What’s next

Staff will confirm final agreements with property owners and artists, process the grants and payment schedules, and invite the city arts commission and other stakeholders to coordinate potential additional funding and public unveiling events. The board discussed tentatively coordinating an unveiling around Small Business Week events in early May if scheduling allows.","The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board approved $7,000 toward an interactive ceramic-and-bead mural by Emily Bayless and separately approved $14,000 for a larger Spanish-style mural at 819 Iturbide, leaving the mural program with planning and coordination tasks for remaining sites and artists.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board okays amendment to include TxDOT TASA funding and RFQ step for downtown sidewalk project

Board authorizes posting of competitive solicitation for Iturbide public-improvement segment

Board declares Zaragoza Street work substantially complete; sets 60-day window for final stone cap

TIRZ board approves two downtown mural grants; Bayless awarded $7,000 for interactive fence piece