At a council workshop, Eagle Pass city staff presented results from an online capital improvement plan (CIP) survey and discussed next steps for the city's CIP list, including adding a separate River Walk line item and exploring ways to limit the survey to city residents.

City staff said the survey has returned 420 votes so far and that, as presented, the bridge expansion was the top-ranked project. Councilmembers raised concerns about whether nonresidents could have influenced the online results; staff agreed to investigate whether the survey platform can apply a geofence or otherwise limit participation to residents. Staff also said they can add the River Walk to the list as a distinct line item separate from parks projects.

Councilmembers emphasized that the survey is advisory and that final project selection will depend on funding. Councilmembers asked staff to keep hunting for grant opportunities for projects at every rank so that items can advance regardless of their current place on the list. Staff said the grant-review process is already active: a named staff member monitors grant notices and the city shares the CIP list with lobbyists and state and federal representatives.

Other specific items discussed included updating the 2018 Master Drainage Plan and bringing a report on completed and outstanding drainage projects; staff said a resolution to acquire property to continue implementing that drainage plan will come to council at the next regular meeting. Staff also described changes made to pool operations this year — opening earlier in June and extending operations through Aug. 10 — and said lifeguard certification was provided locally for the first time this year.

No formal action was taken during the workshop; staff were directed to return with options and to include grant-search follow-up when the CIP list is presented for adoption with the budget readings.

The CIP list and related capital requests will be included with the city budget readings; council retains authority to reprioritize projects before final adoption.