The McAllen City Commission authorized the award of professional engineering services to the firm recorded in the transcript as Marciappi LLC for the Benson Road Hike & Bike Trail expansion and approved several subdivision and right-of-way variance requests.

Staff described the Benson project as approximately 1 mile of a 10-foot shared-use path that will include stormwater management measures and pedestrian-friendly crossings over existing drainage and irrigation canals. The estimated construction cost provided in the record was $1,500,000. Staff requested authorization of an initial work authorization for design in the amount of $100,163 and recommended that subsequent authorizations be approved as needed and subject to budget availability and the city manager’s approval. The commission moved, seconded and approved the award and the initial authorization by voice vote.

On related planning business the commission approved multiple variance requests: an interior-street/right-of-way/cul-de-sac length variance for a remnant parcel in Alhambra (access to be from the southern end, emergency access at the north), a subdivision variance for a remnant parcel at Bicentennial and Houston intended for townhomes with alley access, a reduced right-of-way request (from 60 to 58.73 feet) and sidewalk exception for a parcel at 8601 North Second (one related subitem was withdrawn and staff recommended approval of the remaining subitems), and a request to leave an existing cul-de-sac unchanged in Palm Valley Estates (2600 South 39th, Lot 4A). Each variance was recommended by staff and approved by the commission by voice vote.

The record does not include roll-call vote tallies or conditions beyond the staff recommendations; planning staff were assigned follow-up implementation tasks.