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Council directs staff to pursue larger Pilot Knoll park rebuild while seeking grant confirmations
Summary
Council reviewed a re-scoped Pilot Knoll plan (cabins removed) and signaled a consensus to pursue Option 2 (full-scope renovation) after staff presented revised estimates and grant strategies; members pressed for structural and septic permitting reviews before GMP.
Highland Village staff presented a revised scope for Pilot Knoll Park (previously budgeted at $3,745,000) that removes rental cabins and reallocates funds to day-use, trails, boat-ramp and gatehouse improvements. Staff said the amended construction estimate ranges roughly from $2.27 million to $2.79 million depending on options and contingencies, and that Texas Parks and Wildlife grant funding and a separate boat-ramp grant are central to the parks financing.
"The original cost was 3,745,000. So, with an estimate budget as we go through here... we're now looking at 2,271,000 to 2,786,000 without cabins," the parks presenter said while walking council through the figures. Council members pressed for more analysis: structural engineering on large pavilions ("Big Oak"), verification of multiple septic systems and their permits, and a clearer breakout of the grant match and overmatch amounts. Staff and the CMAR cautioned that bids are volatile and that the CMAR delivery was chosen because traditional RFPs were not attracting bidders for work of this type and scale.
After extended questions about contingency levels and the grant timeline, council signaled consensus to move forward with Option 2 (the larger-scope package that includes all 34 shelters and pavilion work) so staff could finalize the 100% design, pursue the construction grant, and prepare for a guaranteed maximum price review. Staff committed to returning with written confirmation of grant eligibility/award language from Texas Parks and Wildlife, a recommendation for structural evaluation of major shelters, and a remediation plan for permitting gaps at the park.
Next steps: staff will finalize design-level documents, submit required grant revision paperwork, pursue the construction-phase boat-ramp grant, and coordinate a structural and septic permitting plan before entering construction contracting. The council emphasized that any GMP or contract presented for approval must clearly show contingency, identified risks, and how grant dollars will be applied.
