On Dec. 12 the Socorro City Council updated its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending framework and approved a sequence of project-specific allocations and contract authorizations for transportation and infrastructure work.

City development director Alejandra Valadez said the proposed ARPA updates reflect project cost changes with a net-zero adjustment to the spending framework; council approved the update. Separately, council approved a $54,670.73 allocation from ARPA to cover change orders on the Rio Vista and Bovie bridge replacement projects. Valadez listed change-order line items that include LED traffic lens upgrades (~$4,200), material-price increases (~$32,000), a concrete-strength increase (~$1,500) and installation of wing-wall pilasters for pedestrian safety (~$16,000). Staff said engineering reviews and planner sign-off had occurred.

Council also approved work authorization number 4 with CEA Group in the amount of $374,141.80 for contract administration services on the 'Veil' project, a Transportation Alternatives award from TxDOT for approximately $16.7 million to design and build roughly seven miles of trail segments in Socorro. Valadez said the work authorization (about 10–15% of construction costs) is grant-funded and reimbursable by TxDOT.

On a separate agenda item, the council authorized Resolution 807 to amend the Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ) #2 agreement with the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority to allow pledged TRZ revenues to reimburse the city for certain project costs. Staff said the amendment adds roughly $678,196.68 for completion of design services for the Nuevo Hueco Tanks extension and $150,000 for reimbursement of a traffic signal at the Nuevo Hueco Tanks Boulevard/Waco Junction Road intersection. The council authorized the mayor to sign the amendment.

The actions were approved by voice votes; staff will proceed with contract execution, engineer-specified change orders and grant-reimbursement processes.