By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Five members of the city council were present at the meeting. Councilwoman Ernestina
“Tina” Martinez was absent; she is attending the “Texas Municipal League Wrap-Up
Workshop: An Insider’s Perspective” in Georgetown, Texas. Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr.
was also absent.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council approves major increase in city water rates
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance amending the city’s code of
ordinances to establish rates for water services. The new rates will go into effect Oct. 1.
The council set the rates for the next five fiscal years, beginning Oct. 1. and ending Sept.
30, 2030. City staff said the new rates will encourage water conservation and “may lower
bills for low-use customers.” The new rates will also allow the city to borrow an
estimated $33 million in proposed new debt for water projects like the construction of a
new municipal water well, the reconstruction of the East Springs containment wall and
the expansion of the water treatment plant. The new rates were approved following the
presentation of a new water and wastewater rate study. (The 830 Times will have a
separate story on the new water rates.)
Council approves major hike in city wastewater rates
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance amending the city’s code of
ordinances to establish rates for wastewater (sewer) services. The new rates will go into
effect Oct. 1. The council set the rates for the next five fiscal years, beginning Oct. 1. and
ending Sept. 30, 2030. City staff said the new rates will encourage wastewater
conservation and “may lower bills for low-use customers.” The new rates will also allow
the city to borrow an estimated $29.3 million in proposed new debt for wastewater
projects to boost capacity in the city’s wastewater treatment system, a critical piece of the
infrastructure needed for new development on the city’s north side. The new rates were
approved following the presentation of a new water and wastewater rate study. (The 830
Times will have a separate story on the new wastewater rates.)
Council accepts new water, wastewater rate study after presentation
• City council members voted 5-0 to accept a new water and wastewater rate study after
listening to a presentation on the study from Grant Rabon, partner in NewGen Strategies
& Solutions. The council voted in October 2023 to award a contract in the amount of
$53,500 to NewGen for the study. The new rates proposed in the study will allow the city
to seek an estimated $62.3 million in new debt this year for priority water and wastewater
projects. (The 830 Times will have a separate story on the new rate study.)
City manager announces July 4 events
• City Manager Shawna Burkhart announced highlights of the city’s annual Fourth of
July celebration, including the Fourth of July Pageant, which will be held Friday, June
27. There will be a free movie night at the San Felipe Springs Golf Course on July 2,
beginning at 8:30 p.m., with “Captain America: Brave New World.” The 2025 Stars and
Stripes Fourth of July Parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4. The parade will
take place on South Main Street from Ogden Street to Nicholson Street. (The 830 Times
will have a separate story on all of this year’s Fourth of July events.)
Council hears presentation on women’s shelter
• City council members heard a presentation from Erica Bustamante, executive director
of the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter Inc., which operates the local women’s shelter.
The city and county share the cost of operating the shelter. Bustamante introduced her
staff and informed the council of the services now being offered through the shelter,
some of which have never been offered in the area. She said her agency offers services to
victims of domestic violence and the victims of sexual assault.
Council accepts state grant for new playground
• City council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance to accept a local park grant in the
amount of $750,000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to construct an all-
inclusive park for kids with disabilities at the William S. Nixon Sports Complex off
Kings Way. City staff members told the council the city’s economic development
corporation has also pledged $200,000 toward the new playground. The total cost of the
playground is currently estimated at $1.8 million. City staff said they will also seek
donations from individuals and businesses, as well as additional grants.
Council approves resolution for renovation of city animal control facility
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution authorizing City Manager
Shawna Burkhart to approve a $270,000 contract with FWD Architects doing business as
Shelter Planners of America for architectural services for the animal services building
project. City Manager Shawna Burkhart said the current plan is to renovate the city’s
existing animal control building. The renovated facility will be located on the site of the
current building.
Council establishes policy for agenda preparation
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution establishing a policy for the
preparation of agendas for city council meetings. City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith
told the council there is currently no written policy “that sets out who on the city staff is
responsible for the preparation of the agenda.” She said the city secretary has set
deadlines for the submission of agenda items, but noted those deadlines “are not
consistently enforced,” leading to last-minute submissions that may contain incomplete
information. Council spent some time discussing the new policy recommendation before
approving it.
Council ratifies contract with company for interim finance director services
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to ratify the approval of a
contract up to the amount of $304,000 with Strategic Government Resources for interim finance director services for the city. The council spent some time discussing the various
costs included, with Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus asking repeated questions about the
layout of the various costs. City staff noted the council confirmed the appointment of
Interim Finance Director Linda Coones in April 2024 and agreed to pay Strategic
Government Resources $3,920 per week, as well as the cost of providing temporary
housing for her.
Council approves resolution for fire station door repairs
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution authorizing City Manager
Shawna Burkhart to approve a contract in the amount of $100,363.82 to Lee Construction
& Maintenance Company doing business as LMC Corporation for maintenance and
replacement of various overhead doors at four fire stations. City Purchasing Agent Luis
Menchaca told the council the scope of work for the project includes various repairs and
work needed on overhead doors at four city fire stations.
Council approves contract for new scale at landfill
• City council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution authorizing City Manager
Shawna Burkhart to approve a contract in the amount of $211,990.68 with R&R Scales
and Measurements of Abilene, Texas, for the purchase and installation of a replacement
scale at the city landfill. City Purchasing Agent Luis Menchaca told the council the city
received proposals for the replacement scale from two vendors.
He said members of the
city’s public works department reviewed both proposals and recommended the one
submitted by R&R. Menchaca said the scales at the landfill “have had continuous issues,
and replacing them” will solve those problems.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
