Mayor Pro Tem Martin Sauceda called the Blanco City Council meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. on May 26 with council members Deda Devine, Matt Lewis, Keith McClellan and Mike Smith present.
There were no announcements or public comments. Will Daves,interim office manager/code enforcer, provided a brief budget report over city hall, water and sewer, and the police department. A team has been working on the budgets and getting them lined out accordingly. The detailed report will be presented at the next regular meeting, which is scheduled for June 9.
Next, the council discussed the request from the police department to sign the “Technology Grant 2020 Resolution Grant Number 4147301” resolution. The previous grant that the department applied for was denied. This grant is approximately for $76,331.98 and will help cover costs of the Covid-19 pandemic. It would provide funds for personal protection equipment; EMS has been helping out currently, but supplies are short. The grant also covers the costs of a social distancing software which will allow citizens to report non-emergent things online. There will be a tablet placed in each of the patrol cars. This will eliminate face to face communication for non-emergent things. No match is required for the grant. Lewis moved to approve the resolution and Smith seconded. The motion carried.
Alessandra Gad, associate attorney for Bojorquez Law Firm, LLP, spoke to the council members about renewing the contract with the law firm. She explained that the firm and city have had a relationship for five years. Brad Bullock, partner with Russell Rodriguez Hyde Bullock, LLP, has worked with the city for the past 10 years. There are four full-time partners with the firm and each has over 20 years of experience.
Next, the council discussed installing a security glass for city hall. Two bids were received and each would be half an inch thick; one for a temperate security glass and one for a plexiglass. This security glass has been discussed for over a year. It will be approximately 17 feet wide and 3 feet high attached to the granite countertop. The council moved to approve the temperate glass because it will allow updates in the future and will be durable and long-term. The glass will cost $3,200 and will help protect the city staff during the pandemic.
Tom Turk, project manager, provided an update to the council regarding the Water Treatment Plant construction contract with Archer Western Construction Company and Freeland Turk Engineering Group. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved awarding the construction contract to Archer. However, the construction company has requested additional funds to cover the increase of prices and would like to get more time on the project. The electrical work at the plant is the main cause of the increased prices. Archer will be sending the updated contract soon and the council members will review it.
The council adjourned into executive session at 6:35 p.m. to discuss several matters. When they returned to regular session, the council members only took action regarding the “appointment, evaluation, or dismissal of City Attorney.” The city’s contract with Bojorquez Law Firm, LLP was terminated; Russell Rodriguez Hyde Bullock, LLP was appointed for city attorney services. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
