Portland awards $594,257.70 contract for Sunset Lake hike-and-bike trail design

PORTLAND — At its January meeting, the Portland City Council approved a not-to-exceed $594,257.70 contract with Hansen Professional Services Inc. to provide engineering design and construction-administration services for the Sunset Lake hike-and-bike trail, city staff said.

City staff told the council the project will create approximately 1.3 miles of new trail, signage and striping running from Indian Point Pier Road to the parking area along Sunset Drive. "Staff does recommend approval of this service agreement with Hansen Professional Services," said Miss Munoz, the city staff member who presented the item.

The council was told the award follows a reimbursement contract authorized by Resolution 917 in May 2024 that made $430,800 available through the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries program to engage an engineering firm for trail design and permitting assistance. The city issued Request for Qualifications No. 5973 in October 2024 and received five submittals; two firms were interviewed by a three-person staff panel and Hansen scored highest, staff said. Anna Aldridge, identified in the meeting as Hansen's project principal and vice president, attended the council meeting.

Staff described the design as proceeding in three phases: preliminary design, final design and bid-phase services plus construction administration. Because of the project's location, staff said special services such as surveying, environmental studies and permitting needs are not yet fully known; the contract is written as a not-to-exceed amount and staff will evaluate any additional special services outside the plan scope.

City staff told the council that most of the design costs will be reimbursed through the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries program. Construction funding is expected from the Corpus Christi metropolitan planning organization and the Texas Department of Transportation; hotel-occupancy-tax revenues were described as a possible supplemental source for design and construction grants.

Mayor Scroggot commented during the meeting, "Great project. Once again, maximizing funding tax dollars, hotel occupancy tax dollars, not ad valorem tax dollars for the benefit of our community and our citizens. Well done." The council voted to approve the contract; the motion to approve the service agreement was moved and seconded and the mayor announced the motion was approved.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes: Council approved the minutes of the Dec. 17, 2024 regular meeting. Motion recorded in the meeting as "Motion made by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilman Sutton to approve the 12/17/2024 regular meeting minutes." (Outcome: approved.) - Sunset Lake hike-and-bike trail contract: City approved a not-to-exceed $594,257.70 service agreement with Hansen Professional Services Inc. to perform preliminary and final design, bid-phase services and construction administration for the Sunset Lake project. Motion language recorded in the meeting: "I moved to approve the service agreement with Hansen professional services and not to exceed amount of $594,257.7 and authorized city manager to execute all necessary contract documents." (Outcome: approved.)

What the council decided and what happens next The council approved the design contract and authorized the city manager to execute related documents. Staff said they will work with Hansen to scope any additional services that may be needed for surveying, permitting or environmental work and will pursue the identified reimbursement and construction funding sources.

Project background and context Resolution 917 (May 2024) authorized the reimbursement arrangement with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries program that staff said covers much of the design cost. The full scope, permitting needs and any additional special-service costs will be evaluated during the design phases. Anna Aldridge of Hansen was present for the vote.

No public comments on this item were recorded at the meeting.