MARBLE FALLS — A Round Rock firm is being given the go-ahead by City Council to study whether a sports complex is a good fit for Marble Falls.

In other news from the council meeting Feb. 7, city leaders declined to change a waterfront zoning ordinance that allows apartments, in spite of a recommendation by a city commission to favor single-family dwellings.

As to the sports complex, the council directed Robert Moss, the Parks and Recreation Department director, to negotiate a contract for the feasibility study with Baker-Aicklen and Associates.

AUSTIN — A compromise proposed by Lower Colorado River Authority officials to a water-management plan that took weeks to hammer out is raising eyebrows.

The change could allow rice farmers in the Colorado River basin to receive more water during dry spells from storage reservoirs Travis and Buchanan than originally intended, officials said.

Indeed, if the new minimum is adopted, rice farmers may receive about 31,000 more acre-feet during a severe drought.

PHOTO 1: Lake Travis has dropped significantly because of severe drought in Texas. File photo

BERTRAM — A councilman who tendered his resignation has changed his mind, averting a potential crisis for the City Council over not being able to call the May 12 elections because no quorum existed.

Trey Smith rescinded his resignation Feb. 3, thereby giving the council four of six members.

By law, the council cannot hold a meeting without a quorum of at least four of their number.

MARBLE FALLS — Firefighters quickly contained a blaze in the kitchen of a home in the La Ventana subdivision early Feb. 6.

The cause of the fire at the dwelling in the 400 block of Cielo Circle remains under undetermined, investigators said. No injuries were reported and damages — mainly from water — are estimated at $6,000.

“It appeared to have started in the kitchen area near the stove,” said Fire Marshal Johnny Caraway.

Weldon McCutchen of Mac’s Carpet Cleaning was the only person in the house at the time the blaze started about 9:15 a.m. He had just set up his cleaning equipment when the fire alarm went off, he said.

“Some of the fire coming out was pretty high,” he said. “I got out of the house and called 911.”

Firefighters said they quickly contained the blaze after arriving. Crews inspected other areas of the residence to ensure the fire hadn’t spread through the air ducts, ceiling and walls.

The house is listed for sale on the RE/MAX of Marble Falls website. Owners Stephen Fitzer and wife Wendy do not live at the residence, but a new occupant is scheduled to move in during the next three weeks, officials said.

Smoke could be seen coming out of the garage and a second story window. Caraway said most of the damage was contained to the kitchen area.

Marble Falls Fire Rescue, the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, Marble Falls Area EMS Inc. and Marble Falls police responded to the emergency call.

By 10:30 a.m., firefighters began mopping up.

daniel@thepicayune.com

IN PHOTO: Marble Falls Fire Rescue firefighters prepare to enter a residence in the 400 block of Cielo Circle in Marble Falls after a caller reported flames in the home about 9:15 a.m. Feb. 6. Investigators say the blaze appears to have started in the kitchen. No injuries were reported and first-responders kept flames from spreading beyond the kitchen, they said. Additional public safety personnel included the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, Marble Falls Area EMS Inc. and Marble Falls police. The blaze was extinguished by 10:30 a.m. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — The Economic Development Corp. is considering a $130,000 bid for engineering and survey work to extend a road into an undeveloped portion of the business park.

Officials want to expand the roadway to attract more companies to the EDC-owned Business and Technology Park just off U.S. 281 north of town.

The board Feb. 1 accepted a bid of $130,000 by KC Engineering for engineering and survey work of a 2,100-foot extension of West Innovation Loop.

MARBLE FALLS — Employees with  CorWorth Building Systems LLC, the Texas-based parent of Restroom Facilities Ltd. of Reno, Nev.,  began moving into the 77,000-square-foot Colt Circle Building Feb. 1.

Company officials estimate they will create as many as 60 jobs this year and have started accepting applications.

MARBLE FALLS — A new training program at Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes could add extra teachers to Marble Falls classrooms by having college students apprentice under seasoned educators.

“With this program, you’ll have basically two teachers in the classroom which benefits all the students,” said Kelly Fox, assistant professor and coordinator for the Hill Country Teacher Education Program.

She also is an MFISD board member.

BERTRAM — The City Council’s ability to make laws or approve spending could be in jeopardy unless at least one of three council members who recently resigned returns to the fold by Feb. 3.

By law, the six-member council cannot hold a meeting without a quorum of at least four of their number.

Mayor Pro-tem Terry Hale, Councilwoman Marilynn Goode and Councilman Trey Smith resigned Jan. 25. Unless they change their minds, the resignations become effective Feb. 3, officials said.

MARBLE FALLS — Public input is being sought to decide whether a new animal services ordinance should allow so-called “invisible” or electric fences to restrain dogs.

The revised regulations approved Jan. 3 seem to be working well, but the ordinance still needs to address whether dog owners can use the electronic fences, said Police Chief Mark Whitacre.