Amarillo City Council is set to consider spending items totaling nearly $11 million during their January 23rd meeting.

According to the agenda packet for the meeting, the largest spending item is item 10G, a $5.4 million contract with Tri-State General Contracting Group for the construction of Transformation Park. According to the packet, the project aims to “provide safe housing and care for the homeless within the City of Amarillo and an opportunity to enhance the quality of life for those that may need helpful services.” The project is partially funded through ARPA. A nonprofit group has also committed to fundraising an additional $1.5 million for the project.

The next largest spending item, 9G, is the city’s commitment of $1,778,163 for an advanced funding agreement for improvements to 10th Ave in the Barrio Neighborhood. The rest of the funding for the $6,367,954 project is set to come from TxDOT.

Two noteworthy smaller spending items include a $154,000 contract with M. Hastey Construction for the demolition of the old Thompson Park Pool and a $36,382 contract with Baker Tilly for City Manager recruitment services.

As far as spending items in the future, the public may soon be able to look forward to an increase in transparency regarding the way the agendas list spending items. Councilman Place 4 Les Simpson, on a post on the City Council Forum site, has requested that staff look into separating information regarding the funding source for items and information about whether or not items were included in the budget. Responding to the request, Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman noted that staff will work to include changes for the upcoming February 13th agenda.

The full agenda and agenda packet can be downloaded at this link. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to sign up at this link. The meeting is set to begin at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, January 23rd, and will take place in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall. A summary of spending items on the agenda is included below: