Hutto council directs staff to pursue construction-manager-at-risk for proposed Justice Center

The Hutto City Council gave staff direction to pursue a construction-manager-at-risk procurement for the proposed Justice Center after a presentation on delivery methods and a round of questions from councilors. David Ainsler, executive director of strategic operations, said the briefing’s purpose was “educating all council, with an emphasis on new council members, different, procurement methods that you can do when you build facilities or begin to, do design.”

Consultants described CMAR’s promise of earlier contractor involvement, a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and fewer surprises in phased construction; councilors pressed on past CMAR performance, contingency planning and the tight bond timetable. Chair (presiding official) moved the direction in a short motion: “I make a motion that we do CMO.” The motion was seconded (recorded in the transcript as “Motion by customer Gordon” and “Seconded by Boris”), but the transcript does not contain a recorded roll-call tally. Minutes show staff were asked to prepare procurement documents and sample RFP language for the council to review.

The motion gives staff authority to develop the procurement approach and begin outreach to potential CMAR firms; consultants noted staff would still be able to pursue alternatives if a satisfactory CMAR partner cannot be identified on the timetable. The council’s next procedural step, according to consultants, is for staff to craft the request for proposals and define shortlisting criteria so the selection process can proceed in time to inform bond planning.