The second council meeting of the month, which would be held on Tuesday, Dec. 26, is cancelled in observance of the holiday season.
Here are three takeaways from the Montgomery City Council meeting on Dec. 12:
1. Public hearing to discuss sewer rate increase rescheduled
Council members unanimously voted to reschedule a public hearing about increased sewer rates until Jan. 9. The meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 12.
On Nov. 14, council members approved a 50-cent rate increase for the city’s sewer rates, making the new rates $5.25 per 1,000 gallons for in-city residents, and $5.50 per 1,000 gallons for out-of-city residents. Commercial in-city and out-of-city sewer rates will also increase by 50 cents per 1,000 gallons up to 20,000 gallons per month. The new rates, which went into effect on Nov. 20, will fund facility upgrades including a new sewer plant and a water tank, City Administrator Jack Yates has said.
2. Final FEMA signature received, Buffalo Springs Drive bridge repair to begin in 2018
The bridge on Buffalo Springs Drive was severely damaged by flooding in spring 2016. Since then, city officials have been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive partial funding for repairs to the bridge.
City Engineer Chris Roznovsky said FEMA sent the final signed form to allow the city to move forward with accepting funds. The city approved a $1.1 contract with Glenn Fuqua, Inc. on Nov. 14 to complete the repair project. Construction on the bridge will begin Jan. 2 and is expected to be completed June 2018, Roznovsky said.
3. Economic and feasibility study approved for 80-acre development on FM 1097
A feasibility study was performed this year to determine if the city of Montgomery’s water supply and wastewater treatment capacity could accommodate development of an 80-acre tract of land located along FM 1097. The study determined that the city’s water production capacity and wastewater treatment capacity would be able to accommodate the development’s anticipated usage, with the stipulation that the city plan for expansion of facilities to meet projected future demands.
The Hartford Realty property is expected to bring roughly 350 single-family homes and three acres of commercial development by its 2023 buildout, Roznovsky said. The property, which is located within Montgomery’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, would need to be annexed by the city, Roznovsky said.
