City Council Recap for November 14, 2017

533

CITY ATTORNEY OFFERED A REVISED CONTRACT

After a 3 hour executive session, which was punctuated by a revolving door of City officials and outside attorney being called in and sent out, the Council voted 4-1 to offer City Attorney Mike Hayes a revised contract. (Details of this contract will be furnished soon). Mayor Bonnie White was the lone dissenter. Her clear angry demeanor might characterize the lengthy executive session!

DEBT REFINANCING

The City’s outside financial advisor advised the Council that anticipated changes in the federal laws governing early refinancing of bonded indebtedness (normally effected to capture benefits of lower interest rates) necessitates Kerrville fast track refinancing of up to $20M of current debt. Savings net of refinancing costs is estimated to be over $600,00. Also this refinancing will restructure the debt repayment to facilitate addressing of other near term infrastructure needs. After deliberation the Council voted 5-0 to move forward with the restructuring.

RIVER TRAIL COMPLETION

The Council reviewed bids to complete the River Trail project. This completes the final segment of the trail and provides associated parking and other amenities. The funds to complete this quality of life project have been tagged from City 4B funds. The accepted bid was 13% below the projected costs. This project should commence soon.

CITY/COUNTY AGREEMENT ON LIBRARY AND ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES

After a lengthy period of disagreement, the two local governmental agencies agreed to reopen the City library for free use by Kerr County residents living outside the City and for the County to assume full responsibility for animal control throughout the County. The agreement will be reviewed in March 2018 to ensure both entities are in support of continuing the agreement or are adjustments needed

TTHM REMOVAL

A study of how to achieve mandated level of TTHM was received and reviewed by the Council. The City has attempted to achieve compliance through numerous changes in the
Potable water system design but it was determined a more significant changed or addition was required. The Council instructed the staff to move forward with design and implementation of the Granulate Activated Charcoal technique with the anticipated capital costs exceeding $4M and annual operating costs over $400,000.

 

Article by Glenn Andrew
Video by Aaron Yates