Graham Moore from the Alliance Regional Water Authority, formerly known as the Hays Caldwell Public Utility Agency, made an appearance at Wednesday night’s Buda City Council meeting to give an update on a pipeline project and present payment options. The project, a pipeline and pump station, will connect Kyle and Buda’s water systems with plans to eventually connect the two cities, along with San Marcos, to the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. This will help Buda, the city with the most urgent water needs in the partnership. In all, Phase 1B of the project will cost just less than $213.5 million and will be paid for by San Marcos, Buda and Kyle. Buda is expected to pay $10.8 million of that, or just over 5 percent of the total cost, and is the "smallest player" in the alliance, Mayor Todd Ruge said. San Marcos and Kyle will pay about $76.5 million and $60 million, respectively. The council voted unanimously to approve a plan to pay Buda’s share over 20 years. The total cost will come out to be around $12.5 million, including interest.

City tables street parking discussion

Council voted unanimously to postpone a decision regarding a street parking request until the business seeking additional spots could provide more information. Dickson Productions, a company that puts on events and offers consulting in advertising and marketing for artists and record labels, is seeking to move its offices from 2020 FM 967, Buda, to downtown. To help accommodate employees, the business requested the city install eight public, on-street parking spaces on Rose Street, adjacent to Lilly Street, near the future office location. Because parking requests of this nature go straight to City Council, the planning and zoning commission did not vote on the item prior to it being presented to City Council. The reasoning behind the request was that the parking spaces could be used by Dickson Productions employees, visitors and the public when visiting downtown. The proposed development also has plans for a back lot for employees. However, Ruge said he did not want to give the impression that the city was subsidizing for a private business. Other members of City Council were concerned about the relatively small size of the lot and how narrow Rose Street is already. “Putting in on-street parking would, effectively, make Rose Street a one-lane [street],” Place 5 Council Member Eileen Altmiller said. After a unanimous vote the item was tabled, and it will return to a future agenda when City Council can hear more details regarding the development's site plan, along with information about drainage, impervious cover and tree issues.