Council approves GrantWorks contract to support CDBG street-improvement application

The Navasota City Council approved a grant-administration services agreement with GrantWorks on July 13 to support the city's Texas Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for street improvements in the Buckingham Lane area.

City staff and legal counsel described revisions to the proposed agreement intended to align payment terms with state law and to strengthen protections for the city. Counsel said the final terms were revised "to indicate that the city pays the vendor in compliance with chapter 22 51 of the Texas government code," and that provisions limiting vendor liability and waiving consequential damages were removed. Counsel added that the contract's indemnification language was "beefed up" and would require the consultant to indemnify the city and carry insurance.

Staff said the CDBG request is for $750,000 with a city match of $75,000 and that GrantWorks' requested administrative fee is $53,400. The project would fund street rehabilitation only — curb, gutter and paving work on Buckingham, Camelot and Glenshire — and would not fund drainage work; staff noted drainage remains an unresolved issue where property access is currently blocked by a private fence.

Council member Newell moved to approve the GrantWorks agreement and to authorize Mayor Pro Tem Harris to sign; the motion was seconded by Council member Gessner and carried on a voice vote.

If the grant application is successful, staff told the council the city would submit required documents to the TDA site and, if awarded, the construction phase could begin in January or February of the following year.