09/16/2019-CC-Minutes-Work SessionCITY OF SANGER, TEXAS
MINUTES: WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, September 16, 2019 6:00 PM
502 Elm Street, Sanger, Texas
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett; Councilmember
Dennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Finance Director Clayton Gray; City
Engineer Tracy LaPiene; Public Works Director Jim Berman; Director of Development Services
Ramie Hammonds; Police Officer Josh Bishop.
1.Call Meeting to Order
There being a quorum, Mayor Muir called the City Council Work Session to order Monday
September 16th, 2019 at 6:03 p.m.
2.Code Enforcement Overview
Staff Presentation and Discussion on the Future Code Enforcement Process.
Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds summarized. They are proposing to change
the name from Code Enforcement to Community Enhancement to give a more positive connotation.
Her vision is for the department to partner with the citizens to produce a clean and livable
community. The department would focus on a process that promotes health and safety, as well as
protecting property values. She summarized items that we currently look at as violation noting the
number one complaint is tall grass and weeds. Also noted were trash and debris, brush, parking on
grass, junked vehicles, outside storage, substandard structures, work without permit, operating a
business without a CO or a permit. One thing that we have not regulated much in the past is illegal
signs. Staff is looking for direction from City Council as to what the priorities are, what does
Council want this individual we will be hiring to focus on. She noted that she would like to give this
employee good direction. Do we want to start on a couple of items and do the whole City or do
we want to start on particular areas and cover everything. We checked with the legal department
and either way is fine. This is a compliance based program. Staff will start off to try to partner with
the community and get voluntary compliance. She noted that when a violation is noted that they will
attempt to get compliance. To get out in the community and getting to know the community, possibly
showing up at a block party, etc. Another thing that she would like to implement is when they run
into an instance when the citizen physically can not do what needs to be done that we partner with
the local churches, Lions Club, Masons, etc. who may be able to assist with the citizen with getting
into compliance. She again asked for direction as to what the Council sees as target areas, how the
program should be structured. This would make it easier for the new employee in this position to
know exactly what is expected. When there are violations, the Council is usually one of the first to
Page 1
CITY OF SANGER, TEXASMINUTES: WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, September 16, 2019 6:00 PM502 Elm Street, Sanger, TexasCOUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett; CouncilmemberDennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:None.STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Finance Director Clayton Gray; CityEngineer Tracy LaPiene; Public Works Director Jim Berman; Director of Development ServicesRamie Hammonds; Police Officer Josh Bishop.1.Call Meeting to OrderThere being a quorum, Mayor Muir called the City Council Work Session to order MondaySeptember 16th, 2019 at 6:03 p.m. 2.Code Enforcement OverviewStaff Presentation and Discussion on the Future Code Enforcement Process. Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds summarized. They are proposing to changethe name from Code Enforcement to Community Enhancement to give a more positive connotation. Her vision is for the department to partner with the citizens to produce a clean and livablecommunity. The department would focus on a process that promotes health and safety, as well asprotecting property values. She summarized items that we currently look at as violation noting thenumber one complaint is tall grass and weeds. Also noted were trash and debris, brush, parking ongrass, junked vehicles, outside storage, substandard structures, work without permit, operating abusiness without a CO or a permit. One thing that we have not regulated much in the past is illegalsigns. Staff is looking for direction from City Council as to what the priorities are, what doesCouncil want this individual we will be hiring to focus on. She noted that she would like to give thisemployee good direction. Do we want to start on a couple of items and do the whole City or dowe want to start on particular areas and cover everything. We checked with the legal departmentand either way is fine. This is a compliance based program. Staff will start off to try to partner withthe community and get voluntary compliance. She noted that when a violation is noted that they willattempt to get compliance. To get out in the community and getting to know the community, possiblyshowing up at a block party, etc. Another thing that she would like to implement is when they runinto an instance when the citizen physically can not do what needs to be done that we partner withthe local churches, Lions Club, Masons, etc. who may be able to assist with the citizen with gettinginto compliance. She again asked for direction as to what the Council sees as target areas, how the
program should be structured. This would make it easier for the new employee in this position to
know exactly what is expected. When there are violations, the Council is usually one of the first to
hear about them.
Discussion ensued. Mayor Muir noted that along with the recent improvements to the streets, etc.,
that possibly a letter be sent out that the City is excited about the recent improvement to the
neighborhood and provide them with some examples of how the citizens can continue to improve on
their neighborhoods by compliance to the various codes. Ms. Hammonds noted that she thought
that door hangers may be a good idea to get the person out in the public and on the street where
they can talk with the citizens. She noted that when they get a direct complaint, that those will
always be worked. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu noted that the list that she mentioned at the beginning of
the presentation was a good list and if they worked that it is a good list. Councilmember Barrett
asked if they would be proactive as well a reactive and Ms. Hammonds noted that they will be out
in the community and will address the issues they see and speak with the residents. There was brief
discussion regarding getting organizations to help some of the citizens who were not able to take
care of their Code issues on their own. There was discussion regarding putting the information on the
new Department and the Code Enforcement Information on Social Media and in the newspaper
letting the public know the items that that they would be looking for. It was noted that junked
vehicles are currently enforced the Police Department and that it should be part of the program.
Councilmember Chick noted that Ms. Hammonds was saying officer and if this individual would be
an officer. Ms. Hammonds noted that the position would be a Certified Code Enforcement Officer,
which is not the same as a Police Officer. Councilmember Chick discussed the need for this to be a
full time position at this time. Ms. Hammonds noted that this would definitely be a full time position.
That the position has been a Police Officer in the past and this would move the position to
Development Services Department. The individual who is hired would have Code Certification so
they are familiar with the laws. There was additional discussion regarding the need for the full time
positon, and the decision to move it from the Police Department to Development Services. Ms.
Hammonds noted that everything will be documented.
3.Report on Utility Billing Cycles
Report on Utility Billing Cycles Provided by Clayton Gray, Director of Finance.
Finance Director Clayton Gray summarized. Utility billing cycles where we are and where we need
to be. He noted that in regard to the number of utility accounts in the last 15 years we have gone
from 2355 to 3628. He noted the increases through the years and the upcoming development and
construction would result in 10 to 20 % a year, which would add a lot of accounts to the system.
He noted the City currently only has one billing cycle with the billing date of the 1st and due on the
15th with cut off on the 27th, He noted that on the 15th of the month almost a third of the payments
come in that one day. There is also a high level of activity on the 27th which is cutoff day. They
currently have a real ebb and flow of activity. He noted what he would like to get into multiple billing
cycles to try and smooth out the activity during the month and make the activity levels more
manageable. He noted that he would like to transition with minimal inconvenience to the
customers. He explained the complete details of the current billing cycle and provided graphs
showing the payments processed. He noted he has compared our city with other similar type cities
and the average billing cycles is 2.5 cycles. He provided a visual color map showing the different
routes "books". He noted that what he is proposing is looking at the railroad tracks as a dividing line
and moving the accounts on the east side of the railroad tracks to what we would call Cycle 2.
Cycle 2 would consist of approximately 726 accounts and most of them are in one book and would
bill on the 8th and everything else would be one week later. Eventually, we could do four billing
cycles one week after the next to spread the activity out throughout the month. He noted that
anytime a billing date falls on a Saturday or Sunday it is due on the Monday. He noted in speaking
Page 2
CITY OF SANGER, TEXASMINUTES: WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, September 16, 2019 6:00 PM502 Elm Street, Sanger, TexasCOUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett; CouncilmemberDennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:None.STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Finance Director Clayton Gray; CityEngineer Tracy LaPiene; Public Works Director Jim Berman; Director of Development ServicesRamie Hammonds; Police Officer Josh Bishop.1.Call Meeting to OrderThere being a quorum, Mayor Muir called the City Council Work Session to order MondaySeptember 16th, 2019 at 6:03 p.m. 2.Code Enforcement OverviewStaff Presentation and Discussion on the Future Code Enforcement Process. Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds summarized. They are proposing to changethe name from Code Enforcement to Community Enhancement to give a more positive connotation. Her vision is for the department to partner with the citizens to produce a clean and livablecommunity. The department would focus on a process that promotes health and safety, as well asprotecting property values. She summarized items that we currently look at as violation noting thenumber one complaint is tall grass and weeds. Also noted were trash and debris, brush, parking ongrass, junked vehicles, outside storage, substandard structures, work without permit, operating abusiness without a CO or a permit. One thing that we have not regulated much in the past is illegalsigns. Staff is looking for direction from City Council as to what the priorities are, what doesCouncil want this individual we will be hiring to focus on. She noted that she would like to give thisemployee good direction. Do we want to start on a couple of items and do the whole City or dowe want to start on particular areas and cover everything. We checked with the legal departmentand either way is fine. This is a compliance based program. Staff will start off to try to partner withthe community and get voluntary compliance. She noted that when a violation is noted that they willattempt to get compliance. To get out in the community and getting to know the community, possiblyshowing up at a block party, etc. Another thing that she would like to implement is when they runinto an instance when the citizen physically can not do what needs to be done that we partner withthe local churches, Lions Club, Masons, etc. who may be able to assist with the citizen with gettinginto compliance. She again asked for direction as to what the Council sees as target areas, how theprogram should be structured. This would make it easier for the new employee in this position toknow exactly what is expected. When there are violations, the Council is usually one of the first tohear about them. Discussion ensued. Mayor Muir noted that along with the recent improvements to the streets, etc.,that possibly a letter be sent out that the City is excited about the recent improvement to theneighborhood and provide them with some examples of how the citizens can continue to improve ontheir neighborhoods by compliance to the various codes. Ms. Hammonds noted that she thoughtthat door hangers may be a good idea to get the person out in the public and on the street wherethey can talk with the citizens. She noted that when they get a direct complaint, that those willalways be worked. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu noted that the list that she mentioned at the beginning ofthe presentation was a good list and if they worked that it is a good list. Councilmember Barrettasked if they would be proactive as well a reactive and Ms. Hammonds noted that they will be outin the community and will address the issues they see and speak with the residents. There was briefdiscussion regarding getting organizations to help some of the citizens who were not able to takecare of their Code issues on their own. There was discussion regarding putting the information on thenew Department and the Code Enforcement Information on Social Media and in the newspaperletting the public know the items that that they would be looking for. It was noted that junkedvehicles are currently enforced the Police Department and that it should be part of the program.Councilmember Chick noted that Ms. Hammonds was saying officer and if this individual would bean officer. Ms. Hammonds noted that the position would be a Certified Code Enforcement Officer,which is not the same as a Police Officer. Councilmember Chick discussed the need for this to be afull time position at this time. Ms. Hammonds noted that this would definitely be a full time position. That the position has been a Police Officer in the past and this would move the position toDevelopment Services Department. The individual who is hired would have Code Certification sothey are familiar with the laws. There was additional discussion regarding the need for the full timepositon, and the decision to move it from the Police Department to Development Services. Ms.Hammonds noted that everything will be documented. 3.Report on Utility Billing CyclesReport on Utility Billing Cycles Provided by Clayton Gray, Director of Finance.Finance Director Clayton Gray summarized. Utility billing cycles where we are and where we needto be. He noted that in regard to the number of utility accounts in the last 15 years we have gonefrom 2355 to 3628. He noted the increases through the years and the upcoming development andconstruction would result in 10 to 20 % a year, which would add a lot of accounts to the system. He noted the City currently only has one billing cycle with the billing date of the 1st and due on the15th with cut off on the 27th, He noted that on the 15th of the month almost a third of the paymentscome in that one day. There is also a high level of activity on the 27th which is cutoff day. Theycurrently have a real ebb and flow of activity. He noted what he would like to get into multiple billingcycles to try and smooth out the activity during the month and make the activity levels moremanageable. He noted that he would like to transition with minimal inconvenience to thecustomers. He explained the complete details of the current billing cycle and provided graphsshowing the payments processed. He noted he has compared our city with other similar type citiesand the average billing cycles is 2.5 cycles. He provided a visual color map showing the differentroutes "books". He noted that what he is proposing is looking at the railroad tracks as a dividing lineand moving the accounts on the east side of the railroad tracks to what we would call Cycle 2. Cycle 2 would consist of approximately 726 accounts and most of them are in one book and wouldbill on the 8th and everything else would be one week later. Eventually, we could do four billing
cycles one week after the next to spread the activity out throughout the month. He noted that
anytime a billing date falls on a Saturday or Sunday it is due on the Monday. He noted in speaking
with Ramie Hammonds of Development Services that most of the future development would also go
on the Cycle 2. For the future a target of approximately 3000 accounts on a cycle would be a good
dividing number. He noted, looking into the future, at some point we are going to have to replace
our meter reading system which is about 15 years old. Many cities have smart meters where you do
not have to go out and physically read the meters. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu asked what the ballpark
figure is for the meters. Mr. Gray noted that a basic ballpark could be around threequarters of a
million dollars. There was discussion as to if this cost could be phased in. Mr. Gray advised that
we would also have to update our ordinance which specifically calls out the billing dates. He would
mirror other cities ordinances which address multiple billing cycles. The ordinances call out the days
between the billing dates instead of specific dates. He provided details as to how the cycle would be
phased in and it was noted that the cost would be minimal; but, the main issue would be educating
people when their bill is due.is notifying the customers of the change. He noted the plan is a
postcard mailing; door hangers on the doors well in advance; signs at the entrances of areas where
the change will occur; social media, newspaper, and the website. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu noted that
he was not opposed to this idea; however the transition period would be better if it is done in the
Fall or Spring when the utilities are not as high.
4.Stream Restoration for Wastewater Treatment Plant
Presentation by Plummer Associates, Inc. Regarding Stream Restoration for Wastewater Treatment
Plant.
Mr. Jeff Caffey with Plummer and Associates was recognized and provided a background history of
the project and the various alternatives. A decision was made to expand the treatment plant
discharge and every treatment plant has a discharge permit. The existing permit for the plant is
running at .98 mgd and the expansion proposed to be 1.86 mgd. At that time, after reviewing the
four different concepts, a decision was made by Council and the former City Manager to construct a
pipeline around the Paddock Lake with a cost of about 4 million dollars not including easement
acquisition. There was brief discussion regarding the various concepts and it was noted that there
has been some changes in how various landowners are looking at the project and that they have
been asked to come back and revisit the stream restoration.
Mr. Caffey introduced Mr. Tim Noack, Plummer and Associates, as Project Manager for the
proposed Stream Restoration for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Noack noted that this plan
will basically eliminate the lake as a lake itself and basically create a free flowing stream through the
footprint on which the lake currently exists right now. This would eliminate the oxygen sag issue and
the permitting would be able to move forward. Some of the major components of the project would
be lowering all or one or two portions of the dam; restoring the stream channels upstream of the lake
to Ranger Creek downstream of the lake. Planting riparian vegetation which is basically trees and
shrubs along the stream corridor and also within the footprint of the lake. He noted two different
approaches noting the two creeks that feed into Paddock Lake, one being Ranger Creek and the
other creek to the northeast to keep these as separate streams through the lake and the other
approach is to combine the streams within the lake itself. He noted that these are just concepts at
this time and what they would be considering as they move forward as they approach some of the
regulators. He noted some of the major considerations as they move forward with the stream
restoration is the regulators and provided a brief description as to what that entails. They are
setting up the project into five phases and doing it in an incremental manner. Phase 1 would be the
preliminary planning and the following phases would be addressing the regulatory items. Phase 3
would be the Corps of Engineers permit; Phase 4 would be getting into the detailed design of the
stream; and, Phase 5 would be implementation of the construction. Tonight what is being proposed
Page 3
CITY OF SANGER, TEXASMINUTES: WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, September 16, 2019 6:00 PM502 Elm Street, Sanger, TexasCOUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett; CouncilmemberDennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:None.STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Finance Director Clayton Gray; CityEngineer Tracy LaPiene; Public Works Director Jim Berman; Director of Development ServicesRamie Hammonds; Police Officer Josh Bishop.1.Call Meeting to OrderThere being a quorum, Mayor Muir called the City Council Work Session to order MondaySeptember 16th, 2019 at 6:03 p.m. 2.Code Enforcement OverviewStaff Presentation and Discussion on the Future Code Enforcement Process. Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds summarized. They are proposing to changethe name from Code Enforcement to Community Enhancement to give a more positive connotation. Her vision is for the department to partner with the citizens to produce a clean and livablecommunity. The department would focus on a process that promotes health and safety, as well asprotecting property values. She summarized items that we currently look at as violation noting thenumber one complaint is tall grass and weeds. Also noted were trash and debris, brush, parking ongrass, junked vehicles, outside storage, substandard structures, work without permit, operating abusiness without a CO or a permit. One thing that we have not regulated much in the past is illegalsigns. Staff is looking for direction from City Council as to what the priorities are, what doesCouncil want this individual we will be hiring to focus on. She noted that she would like to give thisemployee good direction. Do we want to start on a couple of items and do the whole City or dowe want to start on particular areas and cover everything. We checked with the legal departmentand either way is fine. This is a compliance based program. Staff will start off to try to partner withthe community and get voluntary compliance. She noted that when a violation is noted that they willattempt to get compliance. To get out in the community and getting to know the community, possiblyshowing up at a block party, etc. Another thing that she would like to implement is when they runinto an instance when the citizen physically can not do what needs to be done that we partner withthe local churches, Lions Club, Masons, etc. who may be able to assist with the citizen with gettinginto compliance. She again asked for direction as to what the Council sees as target areas, how theprogram should be structured. This would make it easier for the new employee in this position toknow exactly what is expected. When there are violations, the Council is usually one of the first tohear about them. Discussion ensued. Mayor Muir noted that along with the recent improvements to the streets, etc.,that possibly a letter be sent out that the City is excited about the recent improvement to theneighborhood and provide them with some examples of how the citizens can continue to improve ontheir neighborhoods by compliance to the various codes. Ms. Hammonds noted that she thoughtthat door hangers may be a good idea to get the person out in the public and on the street wherethey can talk with the citizens. She noted that when they get a direct complaint, that those willalways be worked. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu noted that the list that she mentioned at the beginning ofthe presentation was a good list and if they worked that it is a good list. Councilmember Barrettasked if they would be proactive as well a reactive and Ms. Hammonds noted that they will be outin the community and will address the issues they see and speak with the residents. There was briefdiscussion regarding getting organizations to help some of the citizens who were not able to takecare of their Code issues on their own. There was discussion regarding putting the information on thenew Department and the Code Enforcement Information on Social Media and in the newspaperletting the public know the items that that they would be looking for. It was noted that junkedvehicles are currently enforced the Police Department and that it should be part of the program.Councilmember Chick noted that Ms. Hammonds was saying officer and if this individual would bean officer. Ms. Hammonds noted that the position would be a Certified Code Enforcement Officer,which is not the same as a Police Officer. Councilmember Chick discussed the need for this to be afull time position at this time. Ms. Hammonds noted that this would definitely be a full time position. That the position has been a Police Officer in the past and this would move the position toDevelopment Services Department. The individual who is hired would have Code Certification sothey are familiar with the laws. There was additional discussion regarding the need for the full timepositon, and the decision to move it from the Police Department to Development Services. Ms.Hammonds noted that everything will be documented. 3.Report on Utility Billing CyclesReport on Utility Billing Cycles Provided by Clayton Gray, Director of Finance.Finance Director Clayton Gray summarized. Utility billing cycles where we are and where we needto be. He noted that in regard to the number of utility accounts in the last 15 years we have gonefrom 2355 to 3628. He noted the increases through the years and the upcoming development andconstruction would result in 10 to 20 % a year, which would add a lot of accounts to the system. He noted the City currently only has one billing cycle with the billing date of the 1st and due on the15th with cut off on the 27th, He noted that on the 15th of the month almost a third of the paymentscome in that one day. There is also a high level of activity on the 27th which is cutoff day. Theycurrently have a real ebb and flow of activity. He noted what he would like to get into multiple billingcycles to try and smooth out the activity during the month and make the activity levels moremanageable. He noted that he would like to transition with minimal inconvenience to thecustomers. He explained the complete details of the current billing cycle and provided graphsshowing the payments processed. He noted he has compared our city with other similar type citiesand the average billing cycles is 2.5 cycles. He provided a visual color map showing the differentroutes "books". He noted that what he is proposing is looking at the railroad tracks as a dividing lineand moving the accounts on the east side of the railroad tracks to what we would call Cycle 2. Cycle 2 would consist of approximately 726 accounts and most of them are in one book and wouldbill on the 8th and everything else would be one week later. Eventually, we could do four billingcycles one week after the next to spread the activity out throughout the month. He noted thatanytime a billing date falls on a Saturday or Sunday it is due on the Monday. He noted in speakingwith Ramie Hammonds of Development Services that most of the future development would also goon the Cycle 2. For the future a target of approximately 3000 accounts on a cycle would be a gooddividing number. He noted, looking into the future, at some point we are going to have to replaceour meter reading system which is about 15 years old. Many cities have smart meters where you donot have to go out and physically read the meters. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu asked what the ballparkfigure is for the meters. Mr. Gray noted that a basic ballpark could be around threequarters of amillion dollars. There was discussion as to if this cost could be phased in. Mr. Gray advised thatwe would also have to update our ordinance which specifically calls out the billing dates. He wouldmirror other cities ordinances which address multiple billing cycles. The ordinances call out the daysbetween the billing dates instead of specific dates. He provided details as to how the cycle would bephased in and it was noted that the cost would be minimal; but, the main issue would be educatingpeople when their bill is due.is notifying the customers of the change. He noted the plan is apostcard mailing; door hangers on the doors well in advance; signs at the entrances of areas wherethe change will occur; social media, newspaper, and the website. Mayor Pro Tem Bilyeu noted thathe was not opposed to this idea; however the transition period would be better if it is done in theFall or Spring when the utilities are not as high. 4.Stream Restoration for Wastewater Treatment PlantPresentation by Plummer Associates, Inc. Regarding Stream Restoration for Wastewater TreatmentPlant.Mr. Jeff Caffey with Plummer and Associates was recognized and provided a background history ofthe project and the various alternatives. A decision was made to expand the treatment plantdischarge and every treatment plant has a discharge permit. The existing permit for the plant isrunning at .98 mgd and the expansion proposed to be 1.86 mgd. At that time, after reviewing thefour different concepts, a decision was made by Council and the former City Manager to construct apipeline around the Paddock Lake with a cost of about 4 million dollars not including easementacquisition. There was brief discussion regarding the various concepts and it was noted that therehas been some changes in how various landowners are looking at the project and that they havebeen asked to come back and revisit the stream restoration. Mr. Caffey introduced Mr. Tim Noack, Plummer and Associates, as Project Manager for theproposed Stream Restoration for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Noack noted that this planwill basically eliminate the lake as a lake itself and basically create a free flowing stream through thefootprint on which the lake currently exists right now. This would eliminate the oxygen sag issue andthe permitting would be able to move forward. Some of the major components of the project wouldbe lowering all or one or two portions of the dam; restoring the stream channels upstream of the laketo Ranger Creek downstream of the lake. Planting riparian vegetation which is basically trees andshrubs along the stream corridor and also within the footprint of the lake. He noted two differentapproaches noting the two creeks that feed into Paddock Lake, one being Ranger Creek and theother creek to the northeast to keep these as separate streams through the lake and the otherapproach is to combine the streams within the lake itself. He noted that these are just concepts atthis time and what they would be considering as they move forward as they approach some of theregulators. He noted some of the major considerations as they move forward with the streamrestoration is the regulators and provided a brief description as to what that entails. They aresetting up the project into five phases and doing it in an incremental manner. Phase 1 would be thepreliminary planning and the following phases would be addressing the regulatory items. Phase 3
would be the Corps of Engineers permit; Phase 4 would be getting into the detailed design of the
stream; and, Phase 5 would be implementation of the construction. Tonight what is being proposed
is to move forward with Phase 1. He provided a graphical representation of the phases to the
Council and provided further summary of the process. There was brief discussion regarding the
phases and it was noted that some of the phases could be approached simultaneously. The first
phase is the key as to whether it will be feasible to move forward with this plan. He noted the
process they would take in the preliminary planning and that they will be meeting with all of the
TCEQ and the stakeholders, including the enforcement division and the water quality division. After
the meetings they can determine if the concept needs to be changed or adjusted if necessary and this
would determine if they can move forward. If so then the next step would be to meet with the
Corps of Engineers which is done as a preapplication meeting. They will do some minimal field
work done preceding the meeting along with some conceptual drawings. They will present them
enough information to get some good feedback from them as well so they can determine if this can
be done as a nationwide permit (best case scenario) or if an individual permit will be required and to
what extent and how complex it would be. This would be another decision point where
modifications may be necessary or to still proceed to move on to Phases 25.
There was miscellaneous discussion regarding the various plans, maintenance, and cost differences.
They discussed how the two designs would work and also discussed was 404 meeting and the
Clean Water Act, that all entities would be involved in the meeting. It was noted that the plant is
currently running under a permit while the improvements and restoration to the plant is being
completed and the water is going into the pond and the stream like it always has. There was
additional discussion regarding the permit and it was noted they have not had that conversation yet.
Worse case scenario, we could still go in and do the pipeline. The pipeline is already designed
because that was the original plan that was decided on. As that plan got closer some of the
stakeholders realized that the water will not be in the lake or the pond with the pipeline. Mr. Caffey
noted that they have given an estimate of the full contract amount to be about $450,000. This
proposal tonight is for the first phase to see where we go from here.after meeting with all entities.
Mr. Caffey and Mr. Noack both advised that the timeline for Phase 1 would be about six to eight
months. It was noted the current discharge permit expires in 2021. It was reiterated that after
Phase 1 meetings we would know where we stand and whether we can move forward with the
stream restoration. Mayor Muir noted this is an Agenda Item for consideration on tonight's City
Council Meeting.
5.Overview of Items on the Regular Agenda
There was no overview of items on the Regular Agenda.
6.ADJOURN
There being no further business Mayor Muir adjourned the City Council Work Session at 7:18 p.m.
Page 4