City Manager Lisenby and staff provided project and finance updates that included a potentially large change order for Park Street reconstruction, a resubmission opportunity for an EPA $20 million grant, the opening of HOME grant applications, and outreach for the city’s parks master plan.

Park Street change order: Staff told the council the Park Street project was designed as a full reconstruction after engineers concluded mill-and-overlay would not correct drainage problems. Contractors began work under bid quantities written for a mill-and-overlay scope, which left a significant discrepancy between bid quantities and the full-reconstruction design. The contractor presented a change-order request of about $432,000. Staff said the contractor is honoring unit prices and the city is negotiating with engineers to reduce the change-order amount; the contractor is on hold for further direction. The city manager instructed engineers that the final street must drain correctly.

EPA grant resubmission: The city applied for an EPA grant requesting $20 million (100% grant). In initial scoring the application earned 123 of a possible 155 points and was not funded; EPA staff told the city that successful applicants scored above 140 points. The city has been allowed to revise and resubmit the application by Thursday in hopes of gaining additional points.

HOME grant applications: Staff announced HOME program application packets will be available to residents from Nov. 21 through the end of January 2025, with GrantWorks serving as the grant administrator. Staff said GrantWorks has a goal of producing 10 homes under the program and that the city’s in-kind contribution will primarily be waived fees and demolition assistance rather than cash.

Parks master plan and outreach: City staff said the 2025–2045 comprehensive plan will include a parks master plan by consultant Freese and Nichols. A community survey (open through Dec. 2) will gather resident input on park features and needs; staff requested that council and the public share the survey link and QR code.

Other operational updates: The city switched its emergency-alert platform from Iris to HyperReach and asked residents to sign up for alerts. The Hunt Regional Emergency Medical Center in Commerce is hosting a Mark Wright Memorial blood drive on Dec. 6; the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is holding a brunch with Santa on Dec. 14. Staff also reported progress on the animal shelter’s new wing and continued work on Washington Street.

Staff said the city has begun advertising for a new police chief and has received 23 qualified applicants from five states so far.

No formal council action was taken during this report segment; council recessed to executive session after the manager’s report.