After public comment, Rockwall council directs staff to pursue Option 3 for 66 boat ramp grant

Rockwall council members directed staff to pursue Option 3 for the 66 Boat Ramp grant after an extended staff presentation and public comment from nearby residents.

Travis (Parks staff) presented three alternatives: Option 1 (the grant‑approved original plan that removes non‑boater parking and can move immediately to the construction funding phase), Option 2 (compromise retaining some open space but requiring a roughly two‑month redesign and up to $50,000 in city expense), and Option 3 (preserve the entire open space, move/expand the parking closer to ramps, require comprehensive environmental and geotechnical rework, up to $100,000 city cost, and a six‑to‑eight‑month delay with no guarantee of approval by federal Fish and Wildlife reviewers).

Travis said Texas Parks and Wildlife removed non‑boater parking from the grant scope, so any car parking added back would be at city expense. Residents Bob Blacker, Kevin Folsom and Karen Williams urged Option 3 to keep green space and reduce distances from parking to the ramps; speakers warned of lost parkland and urged not to let the grant timeline force a poor long‑term decision.

Council debate weighed community preferences against budget and schedule constraints. Several council members (including Mayor Pro Tem Mueller and Councilmember Jeffers) expressed support for Option 3 for long‑term community benefit despite higher potential costs and schedule delays. Councilmember Lewis moved to proceed with Option 3; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Implications: Pursuing Option 3 will require new environmental and geotechnical studies, an amended grant schedule, and an estimated up to $100,000 of city funds that the state grant will not reimburse. Staff said they would contact TPWD and US Fish and Wildlife to determine whether an extension and the proposed changes can be approved and report back to council.