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Fair Oaks Ranch approves amendment to engineering agreement for elevated storage tank; estimated construction cost $8.2 million
Summary
The council authorized an amendment to the 2019 engineering contract with Kimley Horn to restart design for a relocated elevated storage tank. The amendment increases engineering costs to about $728,893 total and anticipates a roughly 28‑month project schedule and an estimated $8.2 million construction cost.
The Fair Oaks Ranch City Council voted on Nov. 20 to authorize an amendment to the cityengineering professional services agreement with Kimley Horn for the elevated storage tank project, restarting design work for a relocated site and adding services through construction.
Grant Watanabe, public works director, outlined the project history: the city executed the original 2019 contract with Kimley Horn and completed two community workshops and a 90% design before the project paused in 2021 to evaluate alternate locations. A 2022 site feasibility study for a city‑owned 10‑acre property purchased from the city of Boerne showed the new location could accommodate the planned tank and associated utility improvements.
Watanabe said the amendment covers a topographic survey and geotechnical investigation, redesign of site civil work (yard piping, grading, drainage, detention, paving, fencing), redesign of the water main tie‑in, permit coordination (TCEQ and FAA), updating labor rates for unfinished tasks, easement acquisition support if required, bid and construction services and as‑built drawings. He described the amendment as covering remaining and new work required by the site move and said the engineering scope will take the project through construction.
Watanabe provided cost and schedule figures included in the council packet: the original 2019 engineering fee was $446,000; the amendment cost is “a little over $281,000,” bringing total engineering to about $728,892.95. He said the construction estimate based on the 2022 feasibility study and a 4% annual escalation is approximately $8,200,000. The schedule in the packet estimates about 10 months to redesign, two months for procurement, and 16 months for construction (about 28 months total).
Council members questioned whether the amendment simply paid for work not yet completed or raised rates on previously contracted tasks; Watanabe said rate increases apply only to tasks that were not completed (for example 100% design and construction services).
Why it matters: restarting design for the relocated site will incur additional engineering costs but preserves continuity to deliver construction documents and permitting. The amendment moves the project toward procurement and construction of the elevated storage tank that ties into the city12‑inch main.
The council approved the resolution to execute the amendment, authorize expenditure of required funds and authorize the city manager to execute applicable documents.
