The Brownsville City Commission on Tuesday adopted an Advanced Funding Agreement for the construction of bus curb cuts, authorized the police department to apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and approved receiving American Rescue Plan Act funds.
According to a memorandum from Gennie Garcia, assistant director of Multimodal Transportation, the adoption of the Advanced Funding Agreement, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation, will provide funds for the construction of bus curb cuts in various locations.
The locations for the curb cuts include Alton Gloor at Montebella Park, Pisharodi Clinic and La Entrada; Frontage Road at 77 Flea Market; FM 802 at Texas National Bank; Old Military and Adams Street (West Rail Trail); and International Boulevard at Gladys Porter High School, according to the memorandum.
The curb cuts will consist of a 12-by-120-foot “pull-in that will incorporate sidewalks and a bus shelter.” One location will include a “mini transit hub” with “a parking lot with bicycle amenities and a large canopy,” according to the memorandum.
During a public hearing, the commission authorized the City of Brownsville Police Department to apply for the Fiscal Year 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $69,761.
A memorandum from Police Chief Felix Sauceda to City Manager Helen Ramirez states the grant will be divided among the police department ($52,309) and Cameron County ($17,452). Due to budget cuts, both will use the funds for “needed equipment to assist officers with their duties.”
District 1 Commissioner Bryan Martinez motioned to approve the application and Commissioner At-large “B” Rose Gowen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
As part of the items for individual consideration, the commission approved accepting $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Cameron County for water, sanitary and sewer projects for the Gladys Porter Zoo Water/Wastewater Improvement Project.
The commission also awarded a contract to Mor-Wil, LLC for the project, utilizing $5,111,064.56 in ARPA funds.
A memorandum from Roberto Báez, director of the Enterprise Project Management Office, to Ramirez states the project will replace “designated underground water and waste water pipe in various areas of the Zoo,” which will include “build back of the streets and new asphalt.”
Báez said the base bid amount of $3,470,794.56 will be used for two new lift stations and rehab stations. Additional money will be used for other zones in the zoo.
The estimated completion time for the project is 400 days.
District 4 Commissioner Pedro Cardenas asked if the project will be tied to the future zoo park.
Sarah DeBerry, a partner in the engineering firm of Hanson Professional Services, replied the services took into account the expansion and master plan of the zoo.
District 3 Commissioner Roy De los Santos moved to award the contract and Gowen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The city also proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month.
Sofia and Alvaro De La Garza, along with their two children Alvaro Jr. and Sofia Maria, accepted the VEDS Syndrome proclamation.
Maria Roussett, the Student HireAbility Navigator for Workforce Solutions Cameron, accepted the National Disability Employment Awareness Month proclamation.
