“Straight from City Hall”
November 2009
The City of Del Rio’s commitment to openness requires new ways of opening the dialogue between our city and the residents we serve. I am very excited to have the opportunity to reach out to you, in my own words with the beginning of a monthly “Straight from City Hall” information column. This will give me the opportunity to inform our residents about city business, announcements and projects “Straight from City Hall.”
We are on a course to build and upgrade our infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing city; laying the foundation for success. This is why “Straight from City Hall” will highlight ongoing and future infrastructure projects this month.
City Administration and the Engineering Department, under the direction of the City Council, through adopted goals, are currently working on major infrastructure projects to include reconstruction of water lines, wastewater lines, gas lines, drainage and street paving.
As I summarize the projects below you will see that the majority of these projects are contracted out to qualified firms; however some of the utilities infrastructure work is being handled by City of Del Rio in-house crews.
Dodson Avenue: The City of Del Rio entered into a contract with Civil Engineering Consultant (CEC), an engineering firm from San Antonio, Texas for services that will include environmental clearance, studies, surveys, plan design and specifications for the Dodson Avenue project. According to Larry Mares, Jr. P.E. with CEC, sixty percent of the design is expected to be completed by mid December 2009; final plans and specifications are expected to be ready February 2010. The anticipated date to start the bidding for the construction phase is March 2010 with construction to start early June 2010.
The scope of the Dodson Avenue project includes 2700 linear feet of street paving, curb and gutter work, and the installation of water and wastewater lines. The total project cost is estimated at $1,520,000. The City applied for a grant with the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration in May 2008 and we were awarded $1,000,000 to offset the cost of the project. The remaining project cost will be funded with proceeds from 2008 Certificates of Obligation and operating funds.
Avenue E: ARCADIS, a consulting and engineering firm from San Antonio, Texas was selected by the City of Del Rio in February 2007 to complete the design and specifications for Avenue E. roadway reconstruction, gas, water and sanitary sewer utilities improvements, between 2nd and 17th Street. Reese Albert, Inc. from San Angelo, Texas has been awarded the contract for the construction phase, expected to begin in early January 2010.
The scope of the Avenue E. project includes 5500 linear feet of street paving, 7600 linear feet of gas line work and 2800 linear feet of water line work. The total cost of this project which includes the design and construction work is estimated at $2,150,000, to be funded with proceeds from 2005 and 2008 Certificates of Obligation and operating funds.
Main Street Project: In February 2007 the City of Del Rio selected the firm of Chiang, Patel and Yerby, Inc. (CP&Y), an engineering and consulting firm with an office in San Antonio, Texas, to begin the design phase of the Main Street project. CP&Y is currently in the final design phase of the paving work, utility work, curb and gutter work, sidewalk repairs to be ADA compliant, new street lights and landscaping improvements on Main Street, between Odgen and Nicholson Street. Bidding for the construction phase of the Main Street project is expected during December 2009 with construction to begin late February 2010. The total cost of this project which includes the design and construction work is estimated at $3,500,000, to be funded with proceeds from 2004, 2005 and 2007 Certificates of Obligation.
De la Rosa Street: The City applied for a grant from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) for the reconstruction of a portion of De la Rosa Street from U.S 277 to Contreras Street. The City has submitted a prefunding agreement letter to the TDRA, with expected funding to be granted at $412,177. The total project cost is estimated at $1,500,000, the project funding will be offset by the TDRA grant funding, proceeds from 2009 Certificates of Obligation and operating funds.
City Council authorized City Administration to advertise for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from firms that are qualified to perform environmental work, roadway design, and plans and specifications necessary to carry out the De la Rosa Street project during the November 10, 2009 City Council meeting.
With the recommendation by City Administration and the approval by City Council it is expected that a firm will be selected by March 2010 to start work on the De la Rosa Street project.
Del Rio Hedges: City employees with the Street, Water and Wastewater and Gas Departments recently completed the installation of new utility lines in the Del Rio Hedges subdivision and the paving of Ohio, Clouse, Daniel, Edwards and Happy Lane Streets. The work was completed this month, with a project cost of $1,090,574 paid with proceeds from 2005 Certificates of Obligation.
Century Way: Water and sewer line improvements on Century Way have been completed by the City of Del Rio Water and Wastewater Department, with the paving work currently being done by the City of Del Rio Streets Department and is expected to be completed by early December 2009. A total of 700 linear feet will be paved upon the completion of this project and an estimated project cost of $50,000 to include material, labor and equipment. This project will be funded with proceeds from 2005 Certificates of Obligation.
Martin Street: In preparation for the opening of the new Garfield Elementary School in January 2010 the City of Del Rio is currently working on improvements to gas, water and sewer lines on Martin Street from Cocharan to Main Street, with expected completion on November 27, 2009. December 2009 the City of Del Rio Streets Department will start the paving, curb and gutter work and drainage improvements. The paving work will also include the following side streets; Moore, Walnut and Chestnut. The estimated cost of the paving, curb and gutter work, materials, equipment and labor is $267,000, to be funded with proceeds from 2005 and 2008 Certificates of Obligation.
Approximately $9,000,000 of city funds is invested in the projects mentioned above and these are just a few of the projects that City Administration and staff manage daily, with new situations demanding our attention constantly. As your City Manager I believe that we must commit to transparency and open dialogue and I can assure you that this monthly column is just a step in the process, and that we’ll continue to develop new ways for you to get involved, both online and in-person, as we chart Del Rio’s future.
The City of Del Rio Parks & Recreation Department purchased 2 playground sets for a total price of $29,200. Both were funded through Park Reserves money.
