City approves event, building codes, talks ‘adopt a street’

Approvals for an April 19 Happy Tails Pet Adoption event and an ordinance to update city building codes, plus discussion on an “adopt a street” program topped city action at Monday’s regular council meeting.

Happy Tails event The closure of the downtown Historic Courthouse parking area for an April 19 Happy Tails pet adoption agency event included providing barricades and cones the day of event to route traffic. Mike Elswick with Happy Tails was present to answer questions.

Amending building codes Ordinance 2024-5 was drafted to adopt current versions of model construction codes for structures and buildings. Versions in place defaulted to the state adopted 2012 editions (with 2015 exceptions), according to City Manager Chad Nehring. Beyond general structure safety and stability, secondary benefits will allow Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) participation providing opportunity for private insurance premium discounts, reduced rates for flood insurance and availability of direct FEMA assistance for property loss from locally declared disasters that don’t rise to state/federal declarations.

Adopt a Street policy The council agreed to review and consider policy and arrangement templates for a formal “adopt a street” program for litter removal and cleanup. The plan will include guidelines for organizations to achieve signage recognition.

Previous examples cited were Center ISD student groups that adopted Roughrider Drive and Foster Streets with pledged litter clean up events and beautification. Council approved the activity and purchase/placement of “adopt a street” signage at that time similar to the TXDoT program. The city staff will locate or create templates for future council consideration.

Lagoon cleaning services

A contract for Lagoon Cleaning Services by Denali Water Solutions LLC was approved. The annual budgeted item provides for necessary cleaning and removal of debris in the sludge lagoons at the water treatment plants to comply with TCEQ inspection requirements and the wastewater discharge permits.

The rate and volume is similar to prior years and based on budgeted amounts of $79,500.

Sale of land owned by city Following executive session, the council voted to approve sale of land owned by the city, property ID#22139.