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Balch Springs EDC approves signatory updates, engineering contracts and grant application funding in Sept. 15 meeting
Summary
The Balch Springs EDC Type A approved a set of routine administrative and project‑preparation actions including bank signatory updates, contracts with Kimley‑Horn for grant support and signal studies, appraisal funding for an Elam Road property, and sponsorship of a school district event.
The Balch Springs Industrial and Economic Development Corporation Type A on Sept. 15 approved a package of administrative updates, engineering contracts and grant‑application services to support multiple transportation and development projects.
The board approved removing Karen Bacta, David Ruffino and Susan Klus as authorized signatories on the EDC’s Prosperity Bank account and adding Ivan Guel, Felicia Riddick, City Manager Charles Fenner and City Secretary Cindy Gross as authorized representatives. Economic development staff described the change as standard protocol following officer elections; the motion passed with four aye votes recorded (Ivan Guel, Felicia Riddick, Gwendolyn Gardner and Natasha King).
The EDC approved three separate contracts with Kimley‑Horn: a $6,000 contract for application support for a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant for intersection improvements at Lake June and Ranch Way; a $7,000 contract to perform a traffic signal warrant analysis at Peachtree Road and Seagoville Road; and a $36,500 contract for professional engineering services to prepare a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant application and a related comprehensive safety action plan. Staff said the $6,000 and $7,000 fees cover application preparation and warrant analysis; the SS4A proposal is larger because it includes narrative, graphics and conceptual design for a potential $10 million‑plus construction award.
The board also approved up to $2,000 for appraisal services for property at 3919 Pioneer Road to support the Elam Road Corridor City Center master plan and up to $2,000 to sponsor the Mesquite Independent School District’s Spooktacular 5K run. Staff said the appraisal will help determine fair market value for negotiations tied to the city center implementation.
All motions in this package passed with recorded aye votes from Ivan Guel, Felicia Riddick, Gwendolyn Gardner and Natasha King; movers and seconders were not consistently recorded in the meeting minutes for each item.
During discussion of the HSIP application staff said the city has budgeted $150,000 in capital for design costs if the grant is awarded and that construction costs for a new signal can range from about $500,000 to nearly $900,000 depending on scope. On the Peachtree/Seagoville study staff said the traffic signal warrant analysis is a prerequisite to applying for HSIP funding.
Staff recommended the SS4A application target either Elam Road or Pioneer Road corridors for potential construction funding; a representative from Kimley‑Horn explained the application is competitive and typically funds construction rather than incremental planning.
Votes at a glance: Ivan Guel — yes; Felicia Riddick — yes; Gwendolyn Gardner — yes; Natasha King — yes. All listed items were approved by the EDC Type A board at the Sept. 15 meeting.
