Seguin council approves multiple construction contracts, easements and grant applications

The Seguin City Council on Tuesday approved several construction contracts, authorized purchases of property interests for utility projects and directed staff to negotiate downtown Chapter 380 incentive agreements.

The actions included awarding a $1,379,556.66 construction contract for Maze Creek (GLO CDBG flood mitigation) phase 1, awarding a $157,976.46 emergency-pipe replacement contract for Continental Drive, approving a $292,135 purchase for a 36-by-60 modular building for the IT department, and approving engineering work and design amendments for water/wastewater projects. Council also authorized city staff to pursue purchase agreements and, where negotiations fail, to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire easements needed for wastewater transmission work.

These votes advance multiple infrastructure projects the city has been planning since the 2019 GLO CDBG awards and from continuing utility needs. Council members moved and seconded the motions in public session and recorded formal approvals for the items listed below.

Key actions and outcomes

- Maze Creek GLO Phase 1 drainage project: Council awarded a construction contract to D and D Contractors Inc. for $1,379,556.66 for River Oak Drive realignment and channel improvements along Maze Creek. Motion moved by Council Member Carter and seconded by Council Member Keller; motion carried.

- Continental Drive emergency pipe replacement: Council awarded a contract to D and D Site Work and Utilities for $157,976.46 to remove deteriorated corrugated steel pipe and install concrete pipe; work is intended to restore a failing culvert on a one-way-in/one-way-out street. Motion moved by Council Member Raya and seconded by Council Member Carter; motion carried.

- IT modular building: Council authorized the city manager to purchase and install a 36-by-60 modular building for the Utility Operations Center IT staff from Box Modular for $292,135; the building will provide seven private offices and open workspace as a short-term solution while staff plans a long-term facility. Motion moved by Council Member Keller and seconded by Council Member Levins; motion carried.

- Freese and Nichols master-plan update: Council approved a professional services contract amendment with Freese and Nichols for $92,560 to update the 2022 water and wastewater master plan to reflect development and adjust FY2026 CIP priorities. Motion moved by Council Member Biesenbach and seconded by Council Member Veil; motion carried.

- 12-inch wastewater main replacement / water main extension (Navarro ISD area): Council approved a design-amendment proposal from WGA for $250,979 to relocate a 24-inch sewer main and upsize a water main to ensure adequate fire flow for the new Navarro High School opening in fall 2025. Motion moved by Council Member Leavens and seconded by Council Member Carlson; motion carried.

- Easement acquisition and condemnation resolution (Geronimo Creek wastewater force main and other utility corridors): After a closed-session review, council adopted a resolution declaring the necessity to acquire permanent and temporary easements on parcels in the H. Branch survey (Guadalupe County) for the Geronimo Creek wastewater force main project and authorized the city manager to pursue condemnation if negotiations fail. Motion moved by Council Member Carlson and seconded by Council Member Biesenbach; motion carried.

- Purchase agreements authorized from closed session: Council authorized the city manager to execute purchase agreements to acquire easements related to the SEDC 121 project near West Kingsbury Street and a Cordova Road project (agreements with Seguin ISD and the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center, respectively). Motions were made and seconded in open session and carried.

Why it matters

Taken together, the votes move forward flood mitigation, road-safety and utility capacity projects that city staff said are needed to serve recent growth, protect school operations and address failing infrastructure. Council also advanced downtown economic-development negotiations (see separate article) that could use performance-based Chapter 380 agreements to support private investment in downtown properties.

What council said and next steps

City staff said several projects are driven by external deadlines: the Navarro High School fire-flow need, GLO CDBG grant timelines for Maze Creek mitigation and an emergency timetable for Continental Drive pipe failure. Design and procurement steps were approved; staff will return with final contracts, and several items related to property acquisition were handled after a closed-session legal and real-property discussion.

Votes provenance

- Maze Creek contract (topicintro): transcript segment transcript-1572.01-1689.275 (Reynolds…