MARBLE FALLS — Two incumbents and two newcomers said the budget, economic growth and infrastructure are the city’s most pressing issues during a City Council swearing-in ceremony May 23.

"I’m glad to be here and I’m ready to serve," said newcomer Ryan Nash, a builder and developer.

Nash and Jane Marie Hurst, a Realtor and business owner, are the two newest members of the council after voters elected them over incumbents David Ives and Dave Rhodes May 14.

Incumbent Sharon Pittard, a customer service associate, won her re-election bid.

Mayor George Russell also was sworn in for his second term after he held off challenger and downtown businessman Russell Buster.

The four will serve two-year terms.

Councilman Allan Garrett was named mayor pro-tem.

The four newly elected leaders took their oaths of office, but once the ceremony was over, they all agreed there is plenty of work to do.

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls city pool won’t open Memorial Day weekend — May 28-30 — after all.

That’s the word from Parks and Recreation Director Robert Moss after he was told the pool is being re-plastered during the weekend.

Officials had hoped to have the pool in Lakeside Park, 306 Buena Vista Drive, open May 28 in time for the summer release from area schools and to coincide with the holiday weekend.

No new opening date has been announced.

"They can’t get a crew together until this weekend," Moss said. "They’ll plaster this weekend. Since it is such a large job, my understanding is (that) when a pool is plastered, it all has to be at once. It can’t be done in several days."

The contractor is having to "round up several plastering crews from different companies so they can all come in at once," Moss added.

Watch the city’s website at www.ci.marble-falls.tx.us for an announcement about when the pool is ready, he added.

The pool originally was drained for basic maintenance work including an acid bath. But when a Parks and Recreation crew took a closer look, they discovered the plaster wasn’t holding, Moss said.

"And part of that re-plastering is to remove the old," Moss said. "What we found when the crew went in is in some cases we’re removing four layers of plaster. So it’s been probably original and three other layers on top of that that’s being removed. And it’s taking a little bit longer and it’s a bigger job than what we had anticipated. When we do get it completed, it’ll have all new plaster."

In addition, the pool will include new swimming lanes for the Marble Falls Tsunami swimming team, the director said.

"We did not realize until we broke all the layers of plaster out, (but) originally it did have swimming lanes marked in it," he said. "So those will be back as well … That will be kind of an enhancement that we haven’t had."

The $25,000-$30,000 estimated cost of the project wasn’t originally budgeted.

Moss said he has been assured by city officials the money will be found to cover the repairs.

"It has to be done, it is a public service," he said.

The pool traditionally operates at a loss. It brings in about $45,000 each summer but costs $60,000 to operate, officials said.

However, before he took over as director a few years ago, the pool only made about $17,000, Moss added.

"The pool does operate at a deficit," he said. "But it’s something that I think is valuable to the community."

The pool offers more than just recreation, he added.

The facility is also used for swimming lessons taught by Martha Montoya, the pool’s director; and the Tsunami use it for practices and meets, Moss said.

The pool also can be rented for private parties.

In addition, 10-15 lifeguards will be hired, working part time from five to 20 hours a week, Moss said.

"We’re open from basically 8 o’clock in the morning till 9 o’clock at night with various things: swimming lessons, swim team, public swim, pool parties," he said. "The scheduling requires many part time instead of a few full time."

jfierro@thepicayune.com

IN PHOTO: The Marble Falls City Pool at Lakeside Park, 306 Buena Vista Drive, is undergoing renovations to repair and restore the foundation. City officials confirmed the pool may not be ready to open by May 28 — the first Saturday of the summer break for the Marble Falls Independent School District. No word yet on the possible re-opening of the facility. Staff photo by Connie Swinney

MARBLE FALLS — City leaders gave planners the OK to build an apartment complex they believe will provide the city’s workforce with much-needed affordable housing.

By unanimous decision, the City Council approved the site plan for the complex during the session May 17.

“They are going to be very attractive buildings,” Councilman David Ives said.

In other business, the council approved a rate hike for emergency medical services, the first in six years; and authorized a request from the Police Department to apply for a grant to purchase video enhancement equipment.

However, discussion of the Texas Housing Foundation apartment complex dominated much of the discussion during the council’s first meeting after the May 14 election.

The complex will contain 80 apartments and construction could begin as early as next month, according to Mark Mayfield, the foundation president and chief executive officer.

Most of the units will be occupied by “the backbone of the community,” including teachers, firefighters and police officers, Mayfield said.

MARBLE FALLS — Snow cones, hot dogs, bottled water, soft drinks and other treats are coming soon to Johnson Park.
The City Council May 17 approved a proposal submitted by Three Ring Service to open a concession operation full of goodies in the park, 230 S. Ave. J.
The trial period begins later this month on weekends only through Aug. 31.
Also, Three Ring plans to operate an inflatable "moonwalk" obstacle course and trackless train rides for children at no more than $2 this summer in the park. In return, the city will receive 10 percent of gross sales, officials said.
The Austin-based firm has been in business since 1978, said Robert Moss, the city parks and recreation director.
“I feel confident they will do a good job,” Moss added. "They have been doing this a long time."
They have operated concessions and amusements in Austin at Zilker Park for 20 years, Three Ring representative Allen Danziger told the council.
Previous Three Ring clients include the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the University of Texas, the Pecan Street Association and country crooner Willie Nelson, Danziger said.
"If you can deal with Austin — I hope you will find Marble Falls is a much more pleasant place," Councilman David Ives quipped.
Before they approved a formal agreement, council members stipulated Three Ring concession venues can be located in Johnson Park at the discretion of Moss, as long as they are limited to 250 square feet.
Also, the firm must show a state health permit for food sales.
raymond@thepicayune.com

MARBLE FALLS — An 18-year-old Falls Career High School student was rushed to Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock after he fell about 20 feet May 18 from a ropes course.

"The good news is he’s conscious and moving all this extremities," said Assistant Superintendent Allen Roberts of the Marble Falls Independent School District.

Marble Falls Area EMS Inc. crews and Marble Falls Fire Rescue responded to the accident about 11:30 a.m. at the ropes course behind the high school and MFISD Central Administration facilities, 1800 Colt Circle Drive.

A FCHS class was on the ropes course under supervision when the student fell about 20 feet, Roberts said.

"Right now it’s still under investigation," he said.

The ropes course will be shut down until the district finds out what happened, Roberts said before leaving for the hospital to check on the student.

The course opened recently after construction began in January.

Several local civic clubs contributed funds to build the facility, which helps students and community members develop teamwork and confidence.

The course includes several tall poles.

daniel@thepicayune.com

Burnet County Attorney Eddie Arredondo and Assistant County Attorney Katherine McAnally discussed the county’s anti-sexting and Internet safety program during a meeting May 17 of the Daybreak Rotary Club of Marble Falls, held at River City Grille in Marble Falls. Arredondo also is a member of the club. Sexting occurs when nude or inappropriate pictures are illegally distributed using cell phones. Youths who send pictures of boyfriends or girlfriends can face serious legal penalties. Photo by Gil Jones

Martin McLean (front row, second from left) is honored for his eight years of service to the Marble Falls Independent School District board May 16. McLean didn’t seek re-election, so meeting marked his next-to-last appearance as the board’s seven-year president. To mark the occasion, he was presented with a replica of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team — McLean’s favorite. Joining him at the meeting are board members Mike Savage (front row, left), McLean, Kevin Naumann and Kelly Fox; board members Rick Edwards (back row, left) Karl Westerman, Tommy Chaney and interim superintendent Dr. Jim Boyle. McLean is also the former Burnet County judge. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

MARBLE FALLS — Though no major shakeups are planned for students’ schedules at Marble Falls High School next year, teachers and staff can expect some changes, officials said during a School Board meeting May 15.

"The student schedules next year will not look any different than this year’s," said Principal Eric Penrod. "They’ll stay on the same block schedule."

The differences — which help control costs — revolve around teacher conference periods and a new collaborative period on Wednesdays for faculty.

Also during the meeting, school leaders approved an agreement allowing the city of Marble Falls to irrigate some campus properties with treated effluent.

Meanwhile, the changes to scheduling were unveiled after almost a year of research, meetings and discussions with staff, students and parents.

With state cuts to education spending, districts across Texas are keeping a close eye on budgets.

Block scheduling cost districts more than traditional scheduling because it requires more teachers.

MEADOWLAKES — Voters overwhelmingly re-elected Councilwoman Franzella
Jones to her Place 2 seat during the May 14 election.
This will be Jones’ second term on the council after beating challenger Carlton Pullen, 268-131. Jones grabbed 67 percent of the votes in her re-election campaign, according to results from the Burnet County Elections Office.
The council also will get two new members.
Barry Cunningham beat Blair Feller, 216-194, for the Place 5 spot. The two were tied when the early voting results came in.
Paul Sarcione ran unopposed for the Place 4 term.
The terms are for two years.

daniel@thepicayune.com