Work Session (October 6, 2026)

At the October 6, 2026, Waco City Council work session, staff and presenters discussed several projects with procurement or budget implications. Create a Waco presented a proposed mosaic for Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park, with a budget of just over $17,500, including a $14,000 artist fee; Carmen Rangel was selected after a request for qualifications process. The council discussed the design, but no approval vote is recorded in the transcript. Staff also reported on the former Floyd Casey site development: the developer is required under the master development agreement to invest $100 million overall, including $15 million in public improvements. For the Hispanic Heritage Trail, staff expected to advertise bids later in October, close them in November, and bring the project to council for consideration in January 2027. The council requested a future information report on the costs and requirements for downtown lighting. No contract award or spending vote was recorded during the work session.

Other discussion included the Safe Haven baby box proposal, for which community funding and maintenance support have been offered while staff continue working through legal and siting issues. Staff also previewed holiday events and marketing developed with local partners, without specifying a procurement decision or budget. In a legislative briefing, staff highlighted potential state scrutiny of municipal fees, consultant and nonprofit contracts, and possible limits on local government authority—issues that could affect future city contracting and funding. The council set aside Resolution 2026-672 for separate consideration during the later business session; no vote on it appears in this transcript.