Water infrastructure was a key topic at the March 11 Blanco City Council meeting.
Mayor Mike Arnold addressed the recent water main break and subsequent boil notice. Arnold stated that he was not advocating for the bond. but was advocating for getting water lines fixed. The challenges Inframark ran into while repairing the break, such as outdated materials and missing valves, could be addressed by the bond, which is on the May ballot. If the bond passes, the funding will be used to make repairs and upgrades to Blanco’s water and wastewater systems, and streets.
A contract with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) for the city’s water was approved by the council. The contract extends the current commitment of 600 acre feet per year at a rate of $110,400, based on the “firm water rate” of $184 per acre-foot per year. The firm water rate can be adjusted by GBRA at any time. The contract’s expiration date is Dec. 31, 2050, and there is an option of extending it with two additional terms of 20 years.
City Administrator Warren Escovy gave an update on pothole repairs around town, stating that overnight and daytime temperatures will now allow the use of cold mix to fill the potholes as the city pursues long term repairs. City Finance Director Jose Martinez presented a financial report, touching on the line items which are higher than expected at this point. These include IT and legal services. He said 90% of ad valorem revenue has been received with additional smaller checks still to be received through the year.
The Resilient Communities grant has been awarded to the city with funds earmarked for the Comprehensive Master Plan. Police Chief Jerry Thornhill gave a department update with crime and citation statistics for the prior month. He also noted that Officer Kaley Gassmann was the recipient of an officer of the year award from the Hill Country 100 Club, and that two new officers have joined the force with a third expected at the end of the month. At that point, the department will be fully staffed.
Agenda items which were passed unanimously included the approval of a special use permit for a restaurant drive through window at 603 Main Street for the Jittery Biscuit; the authorization of city staff to apply for the Downtown Revitalization program through Texas Department of Agriculture, which can be used for side walks and has a maximum award of $1 million with a $50,000 match from the city; a resolution approving the completion of the water treatment plant; and a request for the city to support a Wheels and Feet grant application with TxDOT with a match of $40,000 if the grant is received.
A discussion about a possible relocation of city hall was on the agenda again, but no action was taken. The post office has stated that it would not be able to use the location at the old firehouse building at 503 Pecan Street due to parking regulations and should not be considered as a potential tenant. Council member Dennis Moore Jr. asked if the Comprehensive Master Plan committee would also poll community sentiment regarding moving city hall, and stated he’d like to get more feedback. Moore said that regardless if that building becomes city hall, it is still an asset the city owns. Capital Improvements and Asset Management Advisory Committee (CIAMAC) member Brandon Carlson suggested that a complete inventory of city assets, including acreage and the firehouse, be undertaken as those fall under the purview of CIAMAC.
Other tabled agenda items included the installation by the city of a shut off valve for the sprinkler supply line at the Henry House Hotel, Klepac Greenhouse’s request for a city water hookup, and an action plan to support community education on the city bond election.
Discussion items which may have action taken next month include an ordinance regulating vacant buildings in the historic district and the formation of an AI Oversight Committee.
Blanco’s Trash Off will take place Friday 4-5 in conjunction with Keep Blanco Beautiful (KBB) events. The city’s trash collection event is open to city residents only and requires a voucher, which is available at city hall. KBB’s events includes the 25th annual “Don’t Mess with Texas” Trash-Off and 18th annual Blanco River Clean-up on April 5. More information about the city’s trash collection is available at https://www.cityofblancotx. gov/ and registration for the trash-off and river clean-up can be found at https://keep blancobeautiful.org/trash off-river-clean-up/. There is a countywide trash collection day on April 26.
A public forum about the infrastructure bond will be held March 25 at the Byers Building. There is also one scheduled for April 16, which is the same date as the mayoral and city council candidates forum. Presentations on the bond will also be made to the Rotary Club and the large water users in town.
