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Boerne council approves contracts and amendments to advance Northside Community Park — GMP set at $16.5 million
Summary
Council unanimously approved a guaranteed maximum price for Northside Community Park Phase 1 and related testing and design amendments that increase the project budget for construction and final design work.
The Boerne City Council on first consideration approved a package of contracts and contract amendments intended to move the Northside Community Park project into construction and finalize design details.
Key approvals: the council authorized (1) Amendment 1 to the construction contract with Waterman Construction LLC, establishing a guaranteed maximum cost (GMC/GMP) for Northside Community Park Phase 1 not to exceed $16,500,000; (2) an agreement with Robert Kistner, Inc., for construction materials observation and testing services for an amount not to exceed $115,000; and (3) an amendment with LUK Design Team for additional design services not to exceed $160,000. Each resolution passed on a 5–0 voice vote.
City staff said the GMP follows the city’s selection of Waterman as construction manager at risk and completes final design, engineering and pricing; the project team provided the council a cost breakdown in the meeting packet. When asked about funding, staff said the construction cost will be paid with a combination of grant funds, available cash in the capital improvement program and previously approved bond funds; the council was told the 2022 park bond was conceptually $13,000,000 but not based on detailed engineering, and that current scope includes two‑thirds of the full park program.
Testing services: staff explained Robert Kistner will perform material testing — for example, soil testing to determine compaction and excavation depths for athletic fields — and estimated the testing work will not exceed $115,000. Council asked whether subsurface cavity studies (e.g., sonar or geophysical investigations for karst) were included; staff did not confirm on the spot but said they would follow up.
Additional design work: the LUK Design amendment covers items added since January and needed to meet city standards, including family restroom design, additional pickleball courts, a park “lid” design, stormwater treatment measures inside an LCRA easement and photometric (lighting) studies. Staff said the $160,000 is in addition to the firm’s existing contract.
Why it matters: Northside Community Park is one of the city’s major capital projects tied to the 2022 voter‑approved bond program. City officials said the approvals are intended to advance construction while maintaining tree preservation, lighting and stormwater standards, and that most of the park’s trees will be retained.
Actions and vote: The council approved Resolution No. 2025‑R52 (Waterman GMP), Resolution No. 2025‑R53 (testing services), and Resolution No. 2025‑R54 (design amendment) by unanimous vote. Staff said additional grant funds and capital reserves will cover portions of the cost increases.
Next steps: With GMP and testing authorized, staff said construction scheduling and material testing will proceed. Council asked staff to report back on subsurface testing scope and to continue adherence to tree‑preservation and lighting standards during construction.
