BURNET — More work needs to be done on flawed FEMA maps that show homes in floodplains, but it could cost the city up to $150,000 to correct the errors, officials said.
The city is continuing to help residents affected by the recent Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain maps, City Manager David Vaughn told council members during the Oct. 9 meeting. The erroneous maps show more than a dozen homes in the floodplain, which could drive up insurance costs for homeowners.
"If it’s in any way indicative of the rest of the community, it shows the magnitude of the problem," Vaughn said.
The engineering and survey work to hash out the floodplain issues could cost the city up to $150,000, he added.
A meeting with property owners is scheduled for Oct. 22, a day before the city’s next regular council meeting.
Vaughn said an action item could be on the next agenda if the council wants to pursue looking at floodplain issues for the rest of the city.
Also during the meeting, the council heard the Airport Master Plan Project, estimated to cost $11.6 million, could last five to 10 years.
The airport master plan includes upgrades to the taxi and runway and land acquisition to provide additional protections zones at each end of the airport.
The city will pay about $1.2 million and the Texas Department of Transportation pays the rest, said Crista Bromley, director of economic development.
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GRANITE SHOALS — The City Council is looking for a few good folks to serve on various committees and advisory groups — and current members need to reapply.
The city has eight committees and boards, but not all are full and some members may no longer be interested in serving or even be eligible, officials said.
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BURNET — Housing growth remains slow in Burnet County, with most of new construction around Lake LBJ and the emerging corridor along U.S. 183 in the northeast, commissioners heard Oct. 9.
The details about continuing sluggish growth emerged from a report on annual septic and building permits presented during the Commissioners Court meeting.
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MARBLE FALLS— Closures lasting for up to three weeks at Avenue N to make street repairs at the railroad tracks will mean detours for motorists starting Oct. 10.
City staff said Avenue N will be closed at Second Street south to Johnson Street, possibly through early November.
ILLUSTRATION: An aerial view provided by the city of Marble Falls shows alternate routes around Avenue N during repairs to an area where there are railroad tracks. Courtesy photo
The area includes the J.M. Huber Corp. on the main thoroughfare to Meadowlakes.
Those changes will limit wear and tear on the road while also reducing dust, officials said. The plant in the heart of the city is located near two parks and several residences.
Huber, a mining company, is helping foot the bill for the improvements.
Crews will perform the upgrades near and along the railroad lines just north of Meadowlakes.
The alternate routes are:
• Southbound Avenue N traffic detours right along Second Street to Avenue S or left along Second Street to Avenue J through Johnson Park.
• Northbound Avenue N traffic detours left along Johnson Street to Avenue S or right along Johnson Street to Avenue J through Johnson Park.
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MARBLE FALLS — The $34 million price tag of a proposed sports complex could make some supporters signal for a timeout on the project, Mayor George Russell indicated during a recent workshop.
Russell said the estimated cost for all four phases gives him reason to pause. The City Council has not yet decided whether to give the project a green light.
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COTTONWOOD SHORES — A former municipal employee fighting her termination by the city got to have her say out in the open during a meeting this week.
Former City Treasurer Chris Alvaranga, who was let go after Aug. 23, asked that her appeal be heard during an open session of the City Council Oct. 4.
The request is unusual because many termination appeals in city government are usually heard in executive session since they apply to personnel issues.
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COTTONWOOD SHORES — A former police chief let go last year by the City Council has filed a libel and wrongful-termination lawsuit against the city and two officials.
Christopher Johnson, who served as the chief of police from Feb. 17-Nov. 17, 2011, filed the lawsuit Sept. 28 in the 33rd state District Court in Burnet.
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MARBLE FALLS — The city’s plan to possibly annex 1,100 acres south along the U.S. 281 corridor isn’t being welcomed with open arms by several property owners, who fear officials won’t be able to deliver on necessary services.
“There’s not any way to give me (city) services,” said Grant Dean, who owns property in the 3000 block of 281 that would fall within the planned annexation area.
PHOTO: Dr. Tim Thompson of Hope Animal Clinic explains to the Marble Falls City Council Oct. 2 why he doesn’t want his property included in the planned annexation of 1,100 acres south of the city along the U.S. 281 corridor to Texas 71. The city initiated the annexation process Aug. 21, but the recent meeting was one of two public hearings on the matter. Several residents in the affected area expressed concerns over the city’s plan. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
His complaint was echoed by many others — including veterinarian Tim Thompson and landowner Bailey Sutherland — who showed up at the Oct. 2 City Council meeting to voice their opposition to the city’s annexation plan, which officials say is only in the earliest stages.
City leaders say they need to be able to regulate development along the 281 corridor, which stretches to Texas 71 and includes the future Wayne and Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center Campus, which is under construction.
Annexing the proposed area would also eliminate emergency response issues, since a portion of the corridor already falls within city limits and a portion doesn’t, officials say.
Mayor George Russell said staff will review the residents’ questions and reply with copies to all property owners in the proposed annexation area.
“Stuff like this is never easy for you or the city,” the mayor said.
Dean noted the city recently approved a bid to complete the extension of a sewage line from Marble Falls to the Texas 71 and 281 area for the hospital. The line doesn’t follow the corridor but instead will cut through some of the undeveloped land.
During a Sept. 18 meeting, the council approved a bid of $1.1 million to extend the sewage line.
Dean said while he owns several acres that could anchor apartments or similar developments, he estimated it would cost him $1 million to extend the line to serve any residential structures on his property.
That cost is prohibitive to such development, he added.
Sutherland, who owns property in the 2000 block of 281, compared the possible annexation to when the city absorbed the neighboring Rocky Road community southwest of Marble Falls. Even today, the city hasn’t extended many services to the area such as road improvements and water and sewer lines, Sutherland said.
“I feel like the movement there is too slow,” Sutherland said, adding the city is not in a position to offer those services to property owners in the additional acreage either. “I’d like services there sooner than later. But you’ve set an example there (Rocky Road) with what you’re not going to do.”
Thompson, of Hope Animal Clinic in the 4015 U.S. 281, also shared his concerns about the annexation. He has hired attorney Will Moursund, who recently sent a strongly worded letter to the council explaining the veterinarian’s concerns about the annexation — including an assertion the city had been “sneaky” about the process.
Thompson Oct. 2 told the council the vet practice deals with animal deaths and disposals — not exactly something welcomed in the city limits.
Thompson said he also was concerned about the city’s ability to offer services.
“If we wanted water, we drilled a well,” Thompson said.
The city will hold a second public hearing 6 p.m. Oct. 16 in the council chambers, 800 Third Street. The final adoption vote is scheduled for the Nov. 2 council meeting.
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MARBLE FALLS — A planned expansion for the iconic Blue Bonnet Cafe has moved to the back burner, the restaurant’s owner told City Council Oct. 2.
The cafe, one of the state’s most famous roadside eateries lauded in countless travel articles and features, has been in operation since 1929. Today it is at 211 U.S. 281.
PHOTO: Plans to expand the Blue Bonnet Cafe, which has been in operation in Marble Falls since 1929, have been placed on hold, owner John Kemper told the City Council Oct. 2. Concerns about shutting down the business and temporarily putting employees’ jobs on hold factored into the decision, though there may be renovations in the future. File photo
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