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City of Shenandoah News

Posted on: April 26, 2023

Shenandoah City Council April 26, 2023 Update

Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE.

Missed the Council meeting? Check out our YouTube channel and watch at your convenience.

Attendance: Present: Mayor John Escoto, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), Jim Pollard (Position 3), Ted Fletcher (Position 2) and Ron Raymaker (Position 1)

ITEM 6: Monthly MDD Report - No Council action needed; report included in supporting document link.

ITEM 7: Draft Budget Calendar-The proposed budget calendar follows a similar format as seen in the past few years. The actual workshop dates are still not determined since the appraisal district expects a higher volume of protests similar to what was experienced last year. This slows down the timelines of getting final tax rolls to the Tax Assessor for tax rate calculation and in turn to us for review and vote

May 10/May 24: Capital Project Plan Discussions
May 12: Council Request Sheets Due to Finance Department
May 31 : IniƟal Department Budgets Due to City Administrator & Finance
June 1: Council Request Discussion & Consensus (Agenda Item)
June 5-7: Department meetings with City Administrator & Finance
June 7: Capital Project & Purchase Sheets Due to Finance Department
June 7: Revisions to Budget Due to City Administrator & Finance
June 9: Proposed Capital Budget Sheets delivered to Staff, & Council & Posted Online
June 12:-13: Department Meetings with City Administrator & Finance (if needed)
June 14: Council Request Discussion & Consensus (Agenda Item)
June 16: Proposed Budget Books Delivered to Staff & Council & Posted Online
June 28: Joint Capital Project Plan Meeting with MDD Board, 5:30 p.m.
June 28: 1st Proposed Budget Discussion—Operating Budget (Subject to Change)
·July 12: 2nd Proposed Budget Discussion—Operating Budget (Subject to Change)
·July 26: 3rd Proposed Budget Discussion—Operating Budget (Subject to Change)
·August 9: Discuss Tax Rate (Vote if Plan to Adopt Rate Higher than the No New Revenue Tax Rate)
August TBD: Proposed Budget Workshop— Will be Brought Back with Update of Tax Assessor Update
· August 23: Possible Adoption/Possible Tax Rate Hearing
· First Public Hearing on Tax Rate, if Necessary,

No action needed.

ITEM 8: David Memorial Extension Interlocal Agreement - David Memorial Dr is proposed to be extended an additional mile to connect its current endpoint at the intersection of Entertainment Blvd, north to SH 242. The project is ready to bid for construction, but an interlocal agreement between the City of Shenandoah, Montgomery County, and the City of Conroe is needed to secure funding for construction. Council voted 5-0 to approve the interlocal agreement.

ITEM 9: Vision Park Amenity Phase 2 - This project will include the installation of 8' pathways, two pedestrian bridges, solar/LED pathway lighting, and the installation of new landscaping. The plans call for a 5' deep wet bottom pond, this will help prevent plants from growing in the water. The pond will also feature a tiered stone wall that will be visible from the pathway and a 100’ pedestrian bridge. Staff received separate pricing from Green Frog Systems for the pathway lighting to match the lighting system that was used at the Holly Hill Trails Park. A veteran's memorial monument will also be constructed as a part of this improvement but as a separate project with separate funding. Council tabled action due to the earlier MDD action tabling funding at their April 26 meeting.

ITEM 10: Pinecroft Force Main Upsizing -Staff recommended awarding the project to Branch Construction Group, LLC. This project will include the upsizing of the force main on Pinecroft Dr as well as the upsizing of piping at the Pinecroft lift station. City Council budgeted $575,000 for the project. Council voted 5-0 to approve the project.

ITEM 11: David Vetter ACP Replacement Project - Staff recommended awarding the project to Faith Utilities, LLC. This project will include the replacement of old asbestos cement pipe with new PVC piping along David Vetter Blvd. An additional $134,895 in funding will be needed for construction costs. Council voted 5-0 to approve the additional $135,000 needed. Council voted 5-0 to award the bid to Faith Utilities, LLC.

ITEM12: Kite Realty Agreement -In February 2023 staff discovered a private well had been drilled at 19075 IH-45 N, the Portofino Shopping Center, owned by Kite Realty. Kite Realty was notified by the city attorney and an agreement was drafted allowing continued use with an assessment to penalize the use of the unauthorized well. The agreement allows for up to 60 months of use of the
new well, at which time it will be abandoned. Council voted 5-0 to approve the agreement and easement.

ITEM 13: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project Amendment 1 - The design for the WWTP improvements project is complete and was submitted to the Texas Water Development Board
(TWDB) for review. Staff requested the design to be completed before construction and contract administration fees were determined by Bleyl Engineering. Having the design completed helps the engineering staff better estimate the costs of the construction contract administration. This amendment is for the construction contract administration and inspections. This project is funded through a $6.5M loan through the TWDB. Council voted 5-0 to approve the amendment to cover construction of the project.

ITEM 14: Minutes from April 12, 2023 Meetings - Council voted 5-0 to approve the minutes as written.

ITEM 15: Ratification of Marchy Accounts Payable - Council voted 5-0 to ratify the accounts payable.

Civic Club Update:

The next event will be the Independence Celebration scheduled for June 24 from 10 a.m. - noon at the city park.
The city pool opens for weekends only on May 6 and for the summer season on May 31.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors will be introducing their program into the Sunningdale Apartments to help any residents that need assistance with moving furniture, simple repairs, etc. They will also be doing their flag replacements starting soon, replacing and properly disposing of tattered and frayed flags.
Civic Club has finished scoring the applications for the Shenandoah Resident Scholarships and will award those scholarships at the May 10 meeting.

City Attorney Updates :

None

City Administrator Updates

The city ARPA Tamina project is in proceeding with the transfer of the CNN. This will be a lengthy process with the involvement of surveyors and archaeologists beginning in the next week.
The Tamina Day Celebration will be Sunday, April 30, starting at 3 p.m. at Tamina Community Park, 1950 Main Street. Oak Ridge High School Band will perform "Tamina," composed in the community's honor. The Tamina Day Celebration will include stories of the community's history and ancestors. The author of the book “The Ground on Which I Stand” will bring a photo exhibit and autograph the book. Open to the public. A food truck will be available or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the event.
David's Dream Run is Saturday, April 29, at the Woodforest Stadium at 7 a.m.This event is held to honor David Vetter’s dream to “run barefoot in the grass”. All proceeds from the one-mile and 5K run/walk are donated to the David Center at Texas Children’s Last chance to purchase your David Dream Run Registration is Friday, April 28, at 10am to make sure you have a shirt before the race day.
Early voting continues from April 24-29, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., and then May 1-2 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. at any Montgomery County voting site. Election Day, May 6, hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. at City Hall only. The closest early voting site in this election is The Woodlands Emercy Training Center on I45 just north of SH 242 past the CVS Distribution Center
May 17 will be the city's canvass of the election.
The city will produce some info videos on various topics. The first will be on Code enforcement and was previewed at the meeting.