26-2648: Resolution – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Approving a Professional Services Contract With LJA Engineering, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $406,250 for Landscape Architecture and Engineering Design Services for the Forest Brook Linear Trail System; Finding That the Meeting at Which This Resolution is Passed is Open to the Public as Required by Law; And

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

In the 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Spine Trail network was tied for the second highest priority among future citywide projects, and in the 2025 update this Forest Brook Linear Trail system was listed as the highest priority trail project in the southwest quadrant. The trail will extend from S. Main Street just north of the Forest Brook neighborhood, looping around to the east and south and returning back to S. Main St. just south of the Dove Chase neighborhood, while serving the Vinewood, Remington Ranch, and Lone Star Ranch neighborhoods as well. The improvements planned for this trail system include, but are not limited to, a 12’-wide concrete hike and bike trail, boardwalks, elevated trail sections, site furnishings, signage and landscape improvements. The project is located within the Low Branch creek floodplain and may require necessary improvements to prevent erosive conditions. The proposed professional services contract in an amount not to exceed $406,250 with LJA Engineering, Inc. includes design and engineering services to provide detailed construction documents including plans, specifications and opinions of probable construction costs for linear park development. Their scope of work also includes special services, including additional flood study, erosion feasibility study and environmental permitting services on an as needed basis. Funding for this project was approved in the FY2025-2026 MPFDC operating budget. The MPFDC Board of Directors approved the construction contract award at their regular meeting on August 13, 2026.

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 4.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).