Sidewalks, water treatment top council actions

Center’s city council approved a resolution to submit Transportation Alternative Project Applications for “shared use path” sidewalks and bicycle path projects to the Texas Department of Transportation at Monday’s meeting.

Resolution 2023-13 – “Authorizing Submission of Transportation Alternative Project Applications to Texas Department of Transportation” was reported to be a required resolution prior to the submittal/ nomination of local projects for funding under the current project call for the TXDoT Transportation Alternative program. According to City Manager Chad Nehring, the biennial process has changing criteria for eligibility based on project type.

Some downtown sidewalks in the early 2000s were funded with this mechanism which has since prioritized funding toward bicycle lanes in urban areas. The current call for nominations did not indicate scoring reductions for general pedestrian facilities, but encouraged “shared use path” projects.

Three original projects vetted by TXDoT in a preliminary review included sidewalks not existing along Hwy 96 and Hwy 87 and the prior shared use path along Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive previously submitted from the Parks Master plan.

According to Nehring, no local match funds were anticipated due to the city’s eligibility for Transportation Development Credits, so no appropriations were made for this action.

Project outlines and maps were included in the council packet.

WATER TREATMENT

After lengthy discussion, a motion by Council Member Terry Scull to postpone action on a resolution of “Acceptance of Proposals and Authorization to Proceed with Treatment System Pilot Study(s) for Aiken Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project” pending updated cost projections was unanimously approved.

According to Nehring, the two leading package plant providers responded to the city’s request for proposals to conduct a pilot test of their treatment units at the Aiken Plant and provide a detailed report of functionality, efficiency and effectiveness on the actual water supply.

The cost for each field study was included in the council packet. City staff and the consulting engineer are reportedly seeking updated cost projections which could influence the recommendation to complete either one or both studies. If costs of the actual units based on 4 MGD treatment capacity are not significantly different, the recommendation is to approve both studies allowing for comparison and potential operational costs of each in addition to purchase price.

APPOINTMENTS

Annual terms for the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission begin on June 15 and terms expiring needed either new appointments or reappointments to ensure a quorum for upcoming meetings.

Approved were current members who have agreed to serve again: Josh McAdams, District 1; John Howard, District 3, and Ward Herndon, District 4.

BUDGET

• FY24 Budget Discussion and Strategic Goals A simple assessment and prioritization of goals, financial preferences, operations and potential projects form was included in the council packet. The information requested was to aid in the development of the financial forecast and direct more specific and detailed reports and financial estimates for the council as they move through budget development.

Council members were given the choice of reviewing preferences during the meeting or completing and returning the form later, and decided on the option of returning.

“Items of lnterest” for discussion or presentation only and requiring no action included:

• Sales Tax Monthly Report - another good month compared to budget and annual projections.

• April Financial Dashboard Youth Baseball World Series and Regional Tournaments — Don’t forget to recruit hosts to “adopt a team” for the World Series tournament July 20-23, 2023. To simply welcome their team to town, visit at the opening team dinner and be a point of contact for a team coach/mom during the tournament. The fields are being closed for necessary tournament renovations now that the youth league is completing its regular season. Also weekends in June will be spent hosting the annual regional/state tournaments.

• Garbage Service letter changing Summer hours

• Portacool Park - Rotary Donation Equipment Installation — The park is being prepared for the installation of the accessible play equipment donated by the Rotary Club. A small portion of the existing playground has been reconfigured to accommodate this additional equipment and install a short run of sidewalk for access. All installations should be completed by the end of the month pending delivery of the playground equipment.

• Perry Sampson Park - Restroom Demo/Fence Repairs — The old restroom building was demolished, and a railing is being designed to ensure safety around the former slab. The old fence damaged by the tree, approved for replacement, has also been removed so the replacement can be installed.

• Water System South Elevated Water Tank construction continues and now that the tower is complete, painting should begin before the end of the month so that the tank can be inspected for completion and filled.

• Region I Water Planning Group City staff is scheduled to review the TWDB 5-year study preliminary report next week and could bring some official action to the council to formally express any concerns or recommendations.

Lagoon cleaning will be initiated within the next few weeks.

• Damages - Insurance Claims — City staff continues to complete repairs at City Hall from the hailstorm claim. The Civic Center and Police Dept are also being evaluated for roof damage from the storm event, but had no internal damage or leaks. The downtown light pole has been completed and the soccer park entrance is currently being completed so that the rebuilt gate can then be installed.

• Broadband — City staff continues to monitor activity of the Comptroller’s Broadband Development Initiative (BDI) including participation with TML’s Broadband Advisory committee and has recently completed recommendations for the evaluation, funding and review of future projects.

• 2023 Street Construction Program — City staff is working with the project engineer to compile the lists for roadway repairs for consideration by the Street EDC.

In other action, the council approved minutes of the regular meeting on May 8, 2023, and amended minutes of regular meeting on August23, 2021.