Bandera updates council on sidewalk, park and water projects; wastewater land purchase to be discussed in closed session

City staff provided a wide-ranging update on grant applications and capital projects ranging from sidewalks and park restrooms to waterline replacements and the wastewater-plant relocation. Lede: Staff said the city applied to a TxDOT grant in June 2025 for a sidewalk project described in the presentation and that the project estimate (as presented to council) is $3,000,000, with the city proposing to set aside an additional 10% of the award for beautification features. Nut graf: Council heard that some grant outcomes are pending, that one grant award has already moved to implementation, and that the wastewater relocation remains in the land-acquisition phase and will be discussed in closed session. Key updates: Staff reported the city was awarded a Flock camera grant for $14,001.67 and is coordinating installation with Flock and the state DMV; a $150,000 LCRA restroom grant application is pending and staff asked a local partner (EEC) to contribute $50,000; the Texas Water Development Board loan closed in mid-June and topographic surveys for waterline work are underway; the Metro Manila Lane waterline replacement contract was awarded to MGD MGP Construction and work is progressing; and a flood-infrastructure survey that runs through town to the park has been completed and the project remains multi-year. Wastewater relocation: Staff said they remain in the land-acquisition phase for a wastewater treatment-plant relocation and that the matter will be addressed in tonight's closed session. Fiscal notes and grant-management: Staff described administrative cleanup of grant portals after prior staffing changes, execution of a grant agreement on Aug. 29 with an earlier start date in the portal, and use of a grant-management firm, Trailer and Associates, for one multi-component application. Outcome and next steps: For awarded grants, staff is coordinating contracts and installations; for pending applications, staff will notify council when awards are confirmed; and the council will hear land-acquisition deliberations on the wastewater relocation in closed session.