Jessica, the newly assigned grant administrator from Traylor & Associates, told the City of Bandera City Council that the city’s Texas Community Development Block Grant (CRC 23-0-540) award is active and in a second phase of actual work after planning. The grant, she said, is funded through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program with the Texas Department of Agriculture acting as the pass-through administrator. “To the greatest extent feasible, grant recipients must direct economic opportunities generated by CDBG funds to low and very low income persons,” Jessica said, describing Section 3 compliance requirements.

The presentation listed the project’s initial scope as two downtown public parking areas (Cedar Street and 12th Street), associated site work, and sidewalk reconstruction in the downtown core. Jessica said engineering and preliminary design have already started and that environmental review work is due to be completed by February; final grant closeouts are scheduled by September 2027, absent extensions.

Councilmembers pressed for clarity on scope and coordination. Debbie Breen asked whether new lighting could be added to the project; Jessica replied lighting is an eligible activity if it is included in the scope of work or performance statement and can be added or clarified before final design. Council discussed overlap and coordination with another potential grant (a TA grant) and multiple engineers, including the city’s engineer and outside consultants, and emphasized the need for communication so design efforts are not duplicated.

Following the presentation, the council considered an amended Resolution 2025-024 to update authorized signatories for matters related to CRC 23-0-540. The amendment narrowed the list of signatories to the mayor, city administrator, administrative assistant and city treasurer to ensure two signing officials are available for financial transactions. Tony Battle moved to adopt the amended resolution; Jeff Flowers seconded. The presiding officer recorded four in favor and none opposed, and the resolution was adopted.

The council was told Traylor & Associates will manage payroll and subcontractor reporting, track Section 3 worker hours, and provide required documentation for TDA/HUD submissions so the city does not need to track individual worker hours itself. Traylor staff also indicated they will provide standard reports, ensure minority- and women-owned businesses receive bid notifications, and support the city through required grant certifications and closeout paperwork.

Next steps: staff and Traylor will continue design coordination with the engineers, confirm whether lighting will be included in the final scope, complete required environmental reviews by the stated deadlines, and return with further updates as documents and designs advance.