Greenspace management contract approved
City Council accepted an annual contract for 7 weeks of by American Youthwork’s Texas Conservation Corp. for $42,700. Parks and Natural Resource Manager Carolyn Meredith said American Youthworks provides services at city greenspaces, including vegetation removal, fire mitigation and restoration projects. The contract was budgeted for the fiscal year 2019-20.
According to Meredith, American Youthworks is in high demand because the group completes work that, historically, is offered by many other groups in the area. In order to get ahead of other entities and to book times for services, she said she suggested the approval of the contract to secure services for FY 2019-20.
Council Member Phil Ellett, who voted against the motion, as did Council Member Rudi Rosengarten, suggested that based on a policy council approved earlier this fall that requires contracts to go out for bids every three years, the contract should go out for bids before being accepted.
The city has been using American Youthworks for services since 2013.
City Administrator Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino suggested council could table the contract until next month in order to research other possible service providers and to prepare a request for proposals. However, council approved the contract due to the demand for services, directing staff to research a potential RFP for the future.
Early voting underway
With election day approaching Nov. 5, Assistant City Administrator Sara Wilson provided residents an update about voting in the city.
Sunset Valley City Hall will again be an election day voting location this year, although no early voting locations will operate within the city limits. Click here for a list of early voting locations in Travis County. Early voting runs through Nov. 1.
City Council will not meet the first Tuesday of November, Nov. 5, due to the election. City Council’s next meeting will be Nov. 19, when the city will canvass the election and swear in any new members of council. A Q&A with City Council candidates can be found here.
Sunset Valley Arbor Day activities coming in November
City Council passed a resolution naming Nov. 16 as Arbor Day within the city of Sunset Valley. According to the city, Arbor Day promotes the benefits of trees and nature in the city.
During this year’s Arbor Day event in the city, residents can help plant trees along Ernest Robles Way near the La Madeleine property at 5493 Brodie Lane. Residents will also make and throw seed balls and can participate in games such as “Tree Jeopardy,” Meredith said.
New police vehicles purchase
City Council approved the purchase of two new police vehicles for the Sunset Valley Police Department from Caldwell Country Ford, at a total cost of $101,357. The purchase was budgeted for FY 2019-20. The motion was approved on the meeting’s consent agenda.
