Aransas Pass council approves design and infrastructure contracts, award for welcome sign; votes summarized

Aransas Pass City Council on June 3 approved several professional services and procurement actions, appointed members to the Planning and Zoning Commission and renewed an equipment-sharing agreement for the police department.

The council voted to begin contract negotiations with Chesney Morales Partners for architectural and engineering services to design a remodel and living quarters at the police and fire station; approved a $491,172 engineering contract with K Freeze & Associates for the Sherwood Forest water and sewer Phase 3 work; renewed the city police department's participation in the Defense Logistics Agency disposition program that provides access to surplus equipment; approved a contract-rate pass-through that will raise residential trash collection by about $0.40 per month under the city’s existing contract; and awarded an RFP for a city “welcome” sign not to exceed $240,000, funded by the Municipal Development District sales-tax funds.

The council majority approved each item by voice vote; in several cases no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes. City staff said the Chesney Morales negotiations will take about a month and that the finalized contract, including price, will return to council for approval. The Sherwood Forest engineering work is funded with proceeds from the sale of the LWR property and Industrial District Agreement funding, staff said. The Defense Logistics Agency agreement was described by staff as enabling continued access to surplus items used by the police department, including a tactical vehicle the department keeps for high-water response.

Council members and staff also approved consent minutes for May 13 (special) and May 19 (regular) by voice vote and announced there were no actions taken during the subsequent executive session.

Votes at a glance - Begin contract negotiations with Chesney Morales Partners (police and fire station design): approved (voice vote; contract to be returned in ~1 month for price approval). - Approve K Freeze & Associates contract for Sherwood Forest Water & Sewer Phase 3, $491,172: approved (voice vote). Funding: LWR property sale and IDA funds. - Renew agreement with Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services (police participation in surplus equipment/lease program): approved (voice vote). - Approve automatic contract price pass-through for residential garbage service (Frontier/Absolute Waste), approximately $0.40/month per residential customer: approved (voice vote). - Award RFP 2025-004 for Aransas Pass welcome sign, not to exceed $240,000 (funded by Municipal Development District sales tax): approved (voice vote; council asked staff to return with insurance/maintenance costs and safety/parking analysis). - Approve request for qualifications award to Chesney Morales Partners (architectural/engineering): approved (voice vote). - Approve contract award authorization for welcome sign (RFP 2025-004): approved (voice vote). - Approve contract for Sherwood Forest engineering services (K Freeze & Associates), $491,172: approved (voice vote). - Approve consent agenda (May 13 and May 19 minutes): approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: the engineering and design contracts move multi-year capital projects toward design and construction, including water and sewer infrastructure for Sherwood Forest and a remodel of emergency facilities. The welcome-sign award commits MDD sales-tax dollars to a tourism/branding project; council members requested additional information about insurance, ongoing maintenance and safe parking before construction begins.

What’s next: The Chesney Morales Partners contract will return to council with negotiated pricing; staff will report back with insurance and maintenance estimates and a safety/parking analysis for the welcome sign before construction permits are sought.