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City approves $2.82 million design-build agreement for Advanced Manufacturing District project
Summary
Council authorized an initial $2,815,127.16 design-build agreement with Jordan Foster Construction LLC for the Advanced Manufacturing District project; council discussed a $50,000 contingency and campaign-contribution disclosure rules during public comment.
The El Paso City Council voted unanimously Jan. 22 to authorize the city manager to execute design-build documents and a contract with Jordan Foster Construction LLC for the project known as 2024-0272 R Advanced Manufacturing District in an initial amount of $2,815,127.16.
Representative Canales made the motion to approve the agreement; Representative Pedro seconded it. The council recorder announced the motion passed unanimously.
A member of the public raised two questions before the vote. Lisa Turner asked whether a $50,000 contingency would be a single, one-time allowance or could be used more than once over the contract life. Claudia Garcia of the Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing Department replied: "It is just in case, additional work comes up to that amount." Turner also raised concerns about campaign contributions and whether council members who received donations from the contractor could vote on the contract. City legal staff responded that receipt of campaign contributions does not automatically create a disqualifying conflict. "Receipt of campaign contributions do not necessarily create a conflict of interest," the city attorney said, adding that council members who believe they have a conflict must file the appropriate affidavit with the city clerk and recuse themselves where required.
Representative Lamont stated on the record that she had not received funding from Jordan Foster or related parties. The council proceeded to vote after legal clarification.
The contract authorization covers the initial design-build agreement; the council did not adopt additional contract amendments or appropriations on Jan. 22. The motion directs the city manager to finalize and execute the design-build documents consistent with the approved amount.
