Galveston council reviews $290,061 comprehensive‑plan contract tied to GLO grant

The City of Galveston's development services director told council on March 27 that staff recommends a contract with Askur Robinson to update the city's comprehensive plan for $290,061, and said the work is scheduled to begin only after the city receives a General Land Office (GLO) grant.

Tim Teejens, director of development services, said, "This is the contract for the comprehensive plan amendment that we prospectively will be receiving from the GLO," and that staff expects a notice to proceed around July if the grant arrives. He said the consultant's scope follows GLO resilience requirements and breaks payment into early/phase milestones.

Andrew Knuppel of Askur Robinson described a public engagement program built into the scope, including steering‑committee and community meetings. "We did build that into the scope of item 3.1, and that's something we anticipate really working on the first month or so of working with the city," Knuppel said.

Council members pressed staff about timing and existing budgeted funds. Councilman said the city previously budgeted $250,000 for a comp plan update and asked whether awarding the contract now would delay work while the city waits for GLO funding. Teejens responded that the contract is structured as contingent: the city will not issue a notice to proceed until grant funding is received and agreed that some pre‑work could occur but would not be reimbursable by the grant.

Staff said the consultant's pay schedule is split (5% initial, 30%/30% middle phases, 5% wrap‑up) and that the firm will facilitate a series of steering‑committee and community meetings at 30/60/85% design milestones. Council directed staff to bring the consultant back for the next workshop to present the engagement plan and outline options for expanding public outreach. Mayor Brown and multiple council members emphasized they wanted enough public input that the plan 'fits the community' but also expressed interest in moving promptly once funding is confirmed.

Council members also discussed whether the city should use the $250,000 already in this year's fund balance if the GLO award is delayed. Teejens said the budgeted amount was intended as a placeholder and that staff would return to council with options if timing or grant award changes.

Next steps: staff will bring the Askur Robinson public engagement plan back at the next workshop and will structure the contract so work is contingent on GLO funding and a notice to proceed.