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Board gets timeline for Itubia and other downtown street projects; AEP pole and private sign pose alignment challenge
Summary
City staff told the board the Itubia Street project should move to contract in 2–3 weeks with a mid-December preconstruction meeting. On Zaragoza Street, a private Payless sign encroaches on AEP lines; staff said the city lacks a clear ordinance to force removal and will ask the utility and property owner to negotiate.
City staff reported progress on multiple downtown street projects and flagged a utility alignment issue that could alter a planned curb-to-curb design.
"We anticipate 2 to 3 weeks to get that whole contract received... Mid December is where we're anticipating to have a pre construction meeting," said Eduardo De Los Santos, city engineer, updating the board on the Itubia Street improvements. He told the board the contractor has been resolving bonding matters and the city expects to receive executed contract documents and a schedule once bonding and paperwork are complete. Staff said the contractor and city will coordinate public notice and block-by-block sequencing for residents and businesses once the preconstruction schedule is finalized.
In related transportation work, staff said they are preparing an RFQ and will meet with TxDOT reviewers on Dec. 10 to resolve comments before posting. A project manager has been designated to take the project through documents and delivery; TxDOT has extended the letting date to allow more planning time.
A separate discussion on Zaragoza Street focused on a private Payless sign that now conflicts with AEP utility lines at a corner. Staff and the consultant said the city does not currently have an ordinance mechanism to compel the sign’s removal. The consultant outlined two operational options: relocate the alignment diagonally and energize via a new pole that would prompt other utilities to shift, or pursue removal/relocation in coordination with AEP and the property owner.
Board members asked the consultant and staff to make initial contact with the property owner and AEP. "I think the request should come from AEP," a staff member said during the discussion, and the board agreed the consultant should make the first outreach and invite city staff to join.
Staff also reported the Itubida Street monument sign work is ongoing. Contractors have submitted concrete mix and electrical permit applications; staff said they will verify who will run final power from the meter and whether the city or a change order will cover that last leg of electrical work. The contractor anticipates installing the monument sign by December, pending permit clearance and final coordination.
Next steps: staff will circulate the final preconstruction schedule for Itubia when the contract is executed, pursue the consultant-led outreach to the Zaragoza property owner and AEP, and confirm permitting and electrical connection responsibilities for the monument sign.
