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Council authorizes $105,389 engineering agreement for Riverside Park boat-ramp and kayak takeout improvements
Summary
The council approved a professional services agreement with Urban Engineering (Victoria Engineering Inc.) to design improvements at Riverside Park, including a new floating ADA dock, upgraded boat ramp and improved kayak takeout; the project is grant-funded with TPWD covering 75% of the planning-phase cost.
Victoria City Council authorized the city manager to execute a professional-services agreement with Victoria Engineering Inc., doing business as Urban Engineering, for engineering and planning services for improvements to the Riverside Park boat ramp and kayak takeout point.
Parks project manager (presenter) Katie Connolly briefed council on the grant-funded two-phase project, which received a planning-phase award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (passed through Texas Parks & Wildlife Department). Connolly said the planning-phase award was $84,500 and TPWD covers 75 percent of that award; the city’s share of the planning phase is 25 percent. The engineering contract approved by council is for $105,389; Connolly noted the final contract sum could change if additional scope is required, and that construction funding will be pursued in a separate application after planning is complete.
Connolly described the planned changes: relocation of the kayak takeout to a less steep, cleared portion of riverbank (near the rose garden), a flood-resistant floating dock with ADA accommodations, parking and lighting improvements, and an upgraded concrete boat ramp and wooden dock. She said the existing takeout is steep, overgrown and presents safety issues. “It will be a huge improvement over the current site because the current site is pretty dangerous and steep,” Connolly said.
The planning contract term runs through June 30, 2027, to allow completion of the environmental assessment, permitting and design work before applying for construction funding. Connolly said the permit work will be substantial because the new takeout point is on previously undisturbed riverbank. Councilmembers asked whether the existing takeout would be removed; Connolly said deconstruction or removal was not included in the current budget and would be a parks department matter if needed.
Council approved the contract by voice vote following a motion and second. City staff said the overall project is grant-dependent and that the city has budgeted for the entire project in anticipation of future construction-phase funding.
