The Whitney City Council discussed funding options for a new wastewater treatment plant and several other agenda items in a special session Thursday, January 22.
The city has long had compliance issues with its wastewater plant, which was built in the early 1990s and was having problems by the end of that decade. The city has been planning a new plant for the past couple of years as it continues to struggle to meet the requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Initial estimates when conversations began put the total price tag of a new modular wastewater plant at $2.5 million. Now, that estimate has risen to $5 to $6 million. City Administrator Billy Pribble said that the longer action is delayed, the more expensive the project will be.
The city was initially expected to fund the new plant with a combination of reserve funds and increased sewer rates, but plans were put on hold when TCEQ began discussing changes to the permit parameters. With the cost now drastically higher, Pribble said that the council needs to look into other funding options.
The city sought funding from the Texas Water Development Board, but the request has not been approved at this time.
D’Anne Carson of Government Capital Securities spoke to the council about financing options. She said that the best way to pay for the plant would likely be a certificate of obligation, which could be repaid with tax revenue and other designated funds as determined by a utility rate study. The city would be required to post notice in the newspaper, and the annual payments were estimated at about $400,000 based on the latest opinion of probable cost.
The city has requested an attorney general’s opinion on its ability to accept donations for projects. Council member Amy Teal said that she hopes whatever path the city takes, donations can be accepted to keep taxes down. She said that she would prefer a budget study and bringing the issue before voters on a ballot.
The council discussed deadlines for calling a bond election, which are in February for May elections and August for November elections. Pribble said that any ballot measure would have to wait until November, as he needs time to meet with the engineering firm and determine what the opinion of probable cost includes and if that number can come down. He said that the delay would also give the public more time to review options and provide input, but he emphasized that the city needs to move forward with a plan soon as costs continue to rise.
In other action, the council revisited zoning regulations related to outdoor storage and sales in the Business 3 zone, which encompasses downtown and surrounding areas.
In October, the council heard from downtown Whitney business owner Debbie Aust of C&S Antiques, who asked the city to amend its zoning ordinance that is impacting her ability to display goods on the sidewalk in front of her business. With the issue back before the council, Beau Nickel of Keith Ace Hardware also spoke on the ordinance, saying that its enforcement impacts the ability of his business to place plants and other items for sale on the sidewalk, as has been customary in front of the hardware store for many years.
The council agreed that the language in the ordinance should be loosened, but after input from Pribble and City Attorney Jennifer Richie, there was also discussion about the importance of making sure there are no unintended consequences of loosening restrictions too much and allowing a health hazard.
Pribble said that a zoning change takes around 90 days to complete with required notices and meetings. The council will review changes to the ordinance during a special meeting planned for Thursday, January 29.
The annual facility use agreement was up for renewal with the WWFL for youth baseball and softball season at the city park. While the agreement is usually renewed and gives WWFL field priority, there was discussion this year due to a new youth sports organization that has formed and is also seeking to use the fields. The council opted to call a special meeting of the new Parks Advisory Board Thursday, January 29 to make a recommendation on the issue. The council will then meet in a special session on the same night to consider the board’s recommendation.
The council reviewed multiple applications received from individuals seeking a spot on the Whitney Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Valerie Mash was selected by the council based on her experience.
Creation of a city utilities advisory board was back on the agenda for consideration, after citizens requested its formation. Council member Cheryl Taylor-West said that she was reluctant to approve a new board right now due to the other boards that were just established by the council. She said that she would like to see how those boards progress and reconsider the issue in the future. The council voted to table the issue until April.
The council approved holding a joint election with Whitney ISD in May. Council member Teal requested that one section be amended to clarify that a roster of early voters must be kept to comply with state law. She said that the city is required to keep a list of who voted each day — but not how they voted. She said that this was not done in the last election. The council approved the agreement with the amendment.
The council convened in executive session and voted when open session resumed to create the position of assistant city secretary and authorize the mayor and staff to begin the process of filling the position. The hiring of temporary water department staff was also approved.
The council’s next regular meeting date is Thursday, February 19, with a special meeting expected to be called Thursday, January 29.
The Lakelander 