McAllen commission approves right-of-way survey contract and multiple drainage, bridge change orders

The McAllen City Commission approved a contract amendment for metes-and-bounds surveys and multiple construction change orders affecting drainage and bridge projects during its meeting.

The engineering department presented a contract amendment with a survey firm that sets the fee at $2,750 per parcel for 14 parcels, a total of $38,500, to support right-of-way acquisitions. "The fee is 2,750 per parcel for 14 parcels for $38,500. Staff recommends approval of this contract," said Eduardo, an engineering-department representative. The commission approved the amendment by voice vote.

Why it matters: the parcels and change orders support stormwater management and bridge adaptations that city staff said are necessary to complete ongoing capital projects and to comply with utility and federal customs requirements.

Major actions approved - Parcel-survey contract amendment (Agenda item 2a): $2,750 per parcel for 14 parcels; total $38,500. Approved by the commission.

- Main & Jay drainage improvement change order (Agenda item 2b): Staff said the change order modifies an outfall for the Bicentennial Ditch and addresses unexpected utility conflicts. Major work described by staff included reinstalling 63 feet of 60-inch reinforced concrete pipe, modifying a concrete manhole, improving a channel embankment, upgrading a 4-inch water line and replacing items affected by construction on the hike-and-bike trail. Staff said the project timeline will be extended by 70 days plus 17 weather days; staff also noted a correction to the project memo that reflects an adjusted completion date in June 2025. The commission approved the change order.

- Collado Subdivision drainage improvement change order (Agenda item 2c): The change adds concrete riprap, additional reinforced concrete pipe and an anchor/tow wall; the contract will be extended 49 days and increase by $18,053.93. Staff said funds are covered by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The commission approved the change order.

- Anzalduas infrastructure improvement change order No. 7 (Agenda item 2d): Staff and RRP Consulting described work to accommodate the port's atypical dual utility feeds and to ensure uninterrupted electrical service. The recommended change order amount was recorded in the meeting as approximately $121,470.98 and the revised contract amount shown in the staff presentation was $83,889,830.04. No additional working days were proposed. The commission approved the change order.

- Anzalduas Bridge Infrastructure Improvements change order No. 8 (Agenda item 2e): Staff said U.S. Customs and Border Protection–initiated changes for rapid-scan non-intrusive inspection equipment required electrical modifications. The change order amount presented was $86,711 with no additional working days; staff reported a revised contract amount of $1,058,733.04 and an unchanged contract duration. The commission approved the change order.

All items described above were presented by city staff or consultants and were approved by voice vote; the record in the meeting shows the motions carried.

What remains uncertain: the public record in the meeting did not include named movers or recorded roll-call vote tallies for each item; the staff presentation referenced a corrected memo for the Main & Jay project with an adjusted June 2025 completion date but did not read an exact calendar date on the record.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the contracted work and change-order implementation; project teams and the funding sources cited (CDBG for Collado and federal/customs-related requirements for Anzalduas projects) will continue to oversee delivery and compliance.