Builder selected in community center project

Mayor’s Corner

City of Meadowlakes

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  The council discussed selection of the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the Meadowlakes Community Center and associated projects.

  The council discussed selection of the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the Meadowlakes Community Center and associated projects.
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There were three interesting items on the Meadowlakes City Council meeting agenda (July 16).

A topic discussed was the selection of the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the Meadowlakes Community Center and associated projects.

The council spoke frankly about the merits of each contractor and the qualifications each brought to the table. In the end, Nash Builders was selected.

The decision pivoted on the unknown versus known among other considerations. One example of Nash’s work – and there are others – was the Phoenix Center on Texas 71 that has received praise.

The owner was truly pleased with the performance and scrupulous adherence to quality. In terms of cost, either contractor would have been obligated, by definition of CMAR, to complete the job within the budget established by the city without overruns.

City Manager Search

Another item worth citing here was a closed discussion with Clear Career Professional, LLC (Clear), the placement firm that will be assisting with the selection of a candidate to replace Johnnie Thompson, the only person to have served as city manager of Meadowlakes.

The main outcome of the discussion was that we learned the process that Clear uses and their experience in the field of locating available city leaders. Two of Clear’s principals are former city managers themselves.

Clear also provided a timeline for completing their search, which should conclude by the 4th quarter of this year.

Webworm Update

The webworm co-op president, John Aaron, presented a very well-thoughtout discussion of the headwinds he is facing in performing the important job of protecting the pecan trees that grace the city.

In last week’s newsletter, we explored the topic in a broad sense.

The council postponed final action on a voluntary fee to pay for the sprayings pending legal review.

Budget Workshop

Earlier in the day, the city council conducted a workshop (1) to review the first draft of a new city budget plan for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins October 1, 2024, and (2) to review the projected yearend spending for the current year versus the 2024 budget. Regarding the latter, as it stands now, the General Fund would end the year with a $185,000 surplus.

Before the year ends, some of the surplus will go towards the purchase of 10 golf carts, a generator for city hall and a greens mower for the golf course.

Those are investments that are needed, and funds are available in the current year.