Matthew Riley provided the Fulshear Development Corporation an update on the Harris Street infrastructure project at the boards Oct. 20 meeting, saying paving for Phase 1 is nearly finished and sidewalks and intersections have been poured. "Paving for phase 1 is almost complete," Riley said, and added the temporary pump station for the detention pond was installed and tested.

The update matters because the project is on the contracts critical path and the board raised concerns that the contractors invoicing and claimed days on the job do not match the boards view of physical progress. Riley told the board he calculated about 40% actual progress after the pending Pay Application 8 is processed; staff said the contractor has submitted limited change orders tied to additional days and the parties will meet to negotiate the number of days requested.

Board members questioned how days and costs align with percent complete and the projects original timeline. A board member noted the original completion date for all phases was in early November and said, "I'm half expecting you to go significantly over that" based on time spent and invoicing practices. Staff acknowledged many of the contractors submitted change orders did not include day claims and said they expect the contractor will present day-based requests at the upcoming meeting to avoid liquidated damages.

Riley said most remaining Phase 1 work is the crosswalks, pedestrian ramps and stamped/colored concrete inserts. In sanitary sewer work, he reported the line was installed from Fifth to Fourth Street, leaving only the section from Fourth Street to the JTM construction driveway outstanding. Staff said they are awaiting a change order that would adjust the expensed-versus-complete discrepancy to reflect days claimed by the contractor.

Board members pushed staff to hold firm in negotiations and not to pay beyond measured progress. One board member urged a conservative approach: "Personally speaking, I wouldn't release any more than that" (referring to the board's current 40% measured progress). Staff said the current pay application covers work through July or August and that negotiations with the contractor are scheduled this week to resolve the days claim before processing additional payments.

The board also reviewed the project dashboard and budget contingencies. Staff said the top-portion figures need clarification and that contingency amounts remain significant; they offered to provide further explanation off-line. Matthews and staff committed to report back to the board after the contractor meeting with an updated schedule, any change orders and an updated percent-complete and cost estimate.

Less-urgent details: staff said bids for Fourth Street will open on Oct. 28 and that follow-up updates, including any schedule adjustments and negotiations outcomes, will be provided to the board at the next regular meeting.