Council OKs water project contracts, discusses bond election

The Marlin City Council approved contracts for work on the city’s water infrastructure and discussed presenting a bond issue for road improvements during a meeting July 13.

Mayor Carolyn Lofton discussed presenting a bond issue to voters for funding to improve city streets during the meeting.

“We have had a lot of discussion about how to get the roads in Marlin fixed,” she said. “We don’t have the necessary revenue to repair the number of streets that need to be repaired. We are trying to come up with a solution.”

The council ultimately tabled the issue for more research to be done before the next meeting. The deadline to place a bond on the ballot for the November election is August 16.

Mayor Pro-Tem Scottie Henderson said that in order to come up with a dollar amount for the bond there needs to be studies done about what is in the ground and how the city can properly repair the streets and he didn’t think that there was enough time to be ready for November.

Council also discussed the fact that the city is beginning several water projects that may disturb the streets.

“We need to fix a lot on the streets,” Councilmember Debra Levels-McDavid said. “If those lines are upgraded are you going to fix the entire road or just the road that is disturbed?”

Lofton reminded the council that the bond issue on the ballot is only going to allow voters to say yes or no to the bond, then the council can come back and be more specific about roads and such. The only thing needed at this time is a dollar amount and the time frame for paying back the bond.

“We have to work quickly to get this information,” Councilmember Sonia Ponce said.  “We do need to have a series of meetings so that we can decide what is needed and what can be done.” 

Councilmember John Armstrong reminded everyone to show up for town hall meetings when they are held to let the council know what you think.

The council tabled the topic until next meeting.

Council also approved a contract with Lou Portillo for the Nanostone Membrane Pilot Study to move forward with fixing the city’s water infrastructure.

“We have been approved for the pilot study,” Lofton said. “Mr. Portillo was approved by the board so we are moving forward with that.”

Portillo told council that his plan is currently under review from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

He said that he and his crew were at the water plant trying to identify a place where they could tie in to the current water lines. He said it would be six to eight weeks before the project can begin once authorized. 

“I have started preparing the protocol,” Portillo said. “I can’t give you a firm date. I  should produce the protocol in a month, then submit it to the state for approval, which will take another month. Water Resources should be fabricating the equipment simultaneously and then they will bring it in and install it.”

He said once he completes the study TCEQ and will have to write an engineering report then submit to the state and hopefully be authorized for construction.

The pilot program will test that improvements are what is needed and then the whole water system will be retrofitted for those improvements.

Portillo said work on the first phase of the project should take six to eight months.

The council also approved a contract with Water Resources for work on the project.

They also heard an update on the city’s Texas Water Development Board projects from MRB Group.

In other business council: approved FAST grant funding for equipment for the fire department in the amount of $462,920 for a new tanker truck, brush truck, self-contained breathing apparatus, a cutter, a spreader and a ramp; and approved Texas A&M to perform a study on energy, waste and productivity at the water plant.

The Marlin Democrat

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Marlin, TX 76661
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