Missouri City council authorizes roundabout design contract after heated debate over consultant-selection policy

Missouri City Council on March 2 authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute a design contract with LJA/LGA Engineering for a roundabout at Henry Watts Road and Knight Road, approving the measure 6—2 after a prolonged discussion about procurement practices and project timing.

Supporters of the authorization said the city followed its consultant-selection policy and needs to keep the project moving to avoid longer traffic problems at Sienna Parkway. Assistant staff Shashi, who presented the project schedule, told the council: "The whole timeline for this project from design to construction is about 2 years," and said staff had sequenced work so the city's waterline project, the roundabout and related roadway work would be coordinated to limit repeated closures. Staff and the consultant estimate design at roughly 8.5 months and showed construction expected to begin in 2027 once right-of-way needs are resolved.

Opponents, led by Mayor Elicott, objected to what they described as too much deference to a three-person Planning, Development and Infrastructure (PDI) committee and pressed for greater transparency about who else was considered. Mayor Elicott argued that large procurement decisions should not be effectively decided by only three committee members and said, "You can't take direction from a 3 person committee and expect the full body to be informed." Staff responded that the city procures professional design services by qualifications under state law, that an RFQ established a pool of prequalified firms in 2023/2024, and that PDI is an advisory step before council authorization. Staff also estimated that reopening the policy or reissuing a new RFQ could add roughly 3— months or more to the project schedule.

Council ultimately approved the authorization motion (moved by Mayor Pro Tem Clouser, seconded by Councilmember Emery) with a 6—2 vote; Mayor Elicott said he would vote no. Council asked staff to return quickly with the written consultant-selection policy and the list of firms considered so the full body can review the record. The authorization at this stage covers the design phase only; staff said construction bidding and a separate contract award will come back to council when design is complete and construction bids are evaluated.