New south elevated water tank going up
Approving closure of the downtown inside square parking area for a Bark-A-Rama event May 13 and rental policies and fees for the Center ball fields topped the Center City Council’s agenda Monday, April 10.
Also reviewed was an appropriation for Perry Sampson Park fence repairs and a contract for ‘Lagoon Cleaning/ Grit Removal’ to ensure compliance with the discharge parameters of the city’s wastewater from water treatment activities.
Happy Tails Adoption Center Animal Shelter of Shelby County, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, filed the application for a fundraising dog walk from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Set up and cleanup will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Preliminary plans for the event described it as a fun, family-oriented event featuring a one-mile dog walk on the inner-square parking area in downtown Center. Other events will or may feature face painting, a balloon artist, music and possibly live entertainment, booths for businesses and nonprofits/ churches to pass out freebies, but not for selling items. Other activities are being planned.
Happy Tails Adoption Center will promote the group’s low income spay and neuter program and will be selling t-shirts and promotional items benefitting the organization.
The application was signed by Mike Elswick. Structured policies and a schedule of fees for use of the Center Ball Fields were proposed. Jason Mitchell spoke in support of the request citing increased requests for use of ball fields for games and practices, particularly by groups and teams not associated with the youth leagues.
No action was taken pending research and discussion. An appropriation for Fence Repair at Perry Sampson Park was approved for a portion of old fencing irreparably damaged from a falling tree during a windstorm in early March.
With upgrade of the replacement fence material to match the new fence installed during renovations in color and gauge, and extending to more logical end points for replacement, the quotes received ranged from $8,250 to over $10,000.
Also approved was a contract for Lagoon Cleaning/Grit Removal to ensure compliance with the discharge parameters of the City’s wastewater from water treatment activities. City Manager Chad Nehring noted this is a budgeted project and generally annual activity cleaning the accumulated settlement from the lagoon at both water plants necessary to ensure the discharge from the lagoons back into the receiving stream meets the TCEQ permit limits.
The sole bidder is one of few nationally that offer similar contract services, according to Nehring, and the only one that has local contracts for disposal making them the only respondent to solicitations.
In other action, Mayor David Chadwick addressed the council regarding pending board appointments and vacancies on the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Economic Development Corporation for Street Improvements. Former Council Member Jerry Lathan was appointed to these two boards with no unexpired terms. The Street EDC bylaws allow up to four positions to be Council members.
Chadwick appointed ________ to the Economic Development Corporation for Street Improvements, but made no appointment to the Planning & Zoning Commission saying, _________.
Items of interest requiring no action included:
• Mention of the DETCOG Board meeting April 27 at Civic Center.
• Two Pending Zoning Applications included in the council packet.
• STORM - Mitigation Loan program - general drainage improvements, including those within FEMA flood hazard areas are not eligible for the program.
• Hazard Mitigation Plan- adoption notice from TDEM were included establishing the effective date of March 30, 2023, for the 5-year plan.
• Audit Reports - EDC audits were approved by the respective boards at meetings last week. The comprehensive report is expected from the auditor for presentation at the next council meeting.
• Fixed Assets/Insurance – City staff headed by finance department completed a comprehensive review of fixed assets maintenance for all funds, properties and departments creating a vehicle for analysis of all property insurance coverage and updating of replacement value/contents.
• Water System – 1. The south elevated water tank construction continues as the tower tank/bowl should be installed in coming weeks and painted, and the access road completed. 2. Mill Creek Filter Rehab reinstallation and restart is complete with backwash pressure limit controls as the final alterations to enhance filter condition and longevity. 3. The 12-month testing for the reuse treatment application has begun based on TCEQ guidance and requirements. 4. Flat Fork customer transfer- received final PUC approval order.
• Broadband - April 25 at 11 a.m. at 301 Nacogdoches Street (or another site pending weather) is the scheduled grand opening/ribbon cutting of the ETEX Broadband project.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant - Plant operations are returning to normal and issues with industrial discharges area being worked through.
• Civic Center continues to complete 10-year maintenance including power washing of the exterior, bridge light repairs, and replacement of nonfunctioning light fixtures in Foster Hall planned this month.
• Youth Baseball World Series – Planning for some of the improvements to be scheduled near the end of this year’s youth league activities and communicating with other area operations and construction to avoid problems during this larger event is underway.
• TXDoT-Truck Route Signage - The local maintenance office has forwarded continued requests for improved and updated truck route signage particularly near Loop 500 and the city has communicated with local industries to attempt to avoid routing problems.
• Boards/Committee/Commission Appointments Lists to boards to be provided on a consistent basis to allow time for recruitment and recommendation before terms expire.
The Center City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the city hall on Tenaha Street.