Navasota ball rolling on eastside annexations
Public Works employee, Edwin Sandoval, receives the thanks of city council members for his 15 years of service to the City of Navasota. Pictured (L-R): HR Director Peggy Johnson, council member Bernie Gessner, Edwin Sandoval, Mayor Bert Miller, council members Pattie Pederson, Grant Holt and Josh Fultz.
Mayor Bert Miller presents City of Navasota Economic Development Director Rayna Teicheira with a proclamation recognizing what economic developers do to “promote well-being and quality of life for their communities.” Those contributions include facilitating growth, creating wealth and providing a stable tax base.
Mayor Bert Miller presented proclamations to the Navasota High School Top Ten Graduates, Class of 2023 at the May 8 city council meeting.
At a Regular Meeting of the Navasota City Council, Monday, May 8, council members approved Resolutions outlining the voluntary annexation process of three properties on Navasota’s east side and setting public hearings for the May 22 city council meeting.
Resolution No. 736-23 pertains to the request by Stanley Kettler and Jeanette Welch for a 1.909-acre tract, Resolution No. 73723 pertains to Jinx M. Lee’s request for a 0.336-acres tract and Resolution No. 738-23 pertains to the request by Grimes Altamira, LLC (Chandler Arden) for a 96.618-acre tract located along SH 90.
According to Development Services Director Lupe Diosdado, city staff have been working with Arden since early 2022 on a plan to provide city services to his potential 400-lot single family residential development. The City’s plan includes drilling one or two water wells, construction of a third city water tower, a ground water storage tank and water treatment plant within the property boundaries.
City Manager Jason Weeks announced that Stylecraft Builders and Reece Homes will be constructing home similar to those in Pecan Lakes Estates.
The annexations, if approved May 22, will extend Navasota’s 1 mile extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) further east and may result in extending the City’s TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) to help finance infrastructure in that area.
Parks fee increase
Council approved Ordinance No. 1021-23, amending municipal swimming pool fees for the first time since 2014. The amendment also allows the City to pass along the cost of fees associated with credit card payments, not to exceed $5.
According to Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Hendricks, the pool has undergone major renovations which included new plumbing, filters, pumps and chemical controllers.
Hendricks said, “Although the pricing/fees will never cause the municipal pool to breakeven in terms of expenditures, Navasota needs to do our due diligence to equalize as best we can.” Navasota’s fee schedule for individuals, toddlers, season passes, swim lessons, the proposed water fitness class, rentals and lifeguard wages were compared to Brenham, Bryan and College Station. While Navasota’s proposed $5 daily admission (free for children 2 and under) represents an increase and falls midrange in comparison to neighboring cities, individual seasons passes to the Navasota pool will remain a bargain at $125 and $300 for a family (4) season pass.
The Brazos Valley has experienced difficulty finding lifeguards the last several years and increasing Navasota’s wage to $12 per hour and $15 for the head guard/pool operator allow the City to remain competitive.
Economic Development Director Rayna Teicheira said the credit card processing fees will affect those using credit cards to process utility payments, pay vendor fees for Texas Birthday Bash and the Farmers Market and deposits for facility rentals.
Entergy settles but rates still rise Entergy Texas Inc.’s (ETI) April 2022 request for a rate increase will be less than it could have been, thanks to the Lawton Law Firm which represented cities in the ETI service area before the Public Utilities Commission of Texas(PUCT). Before council’s approval of Ordinance No. 1022-23 authorizing the settlement, City Manager Jason Weeks told council whether they approved it or not, “It’s going to be settled.”
For residential customers whose typical usage is 1,000kWh, the present rate is $140.81 per month, the proposed rate was $154.31 and the settlement rate is $147.16. General Service customers will see an increase from $1,458.52 per month to $1,483.24 whereas it could have risen to $1,532.86.
City documents indicate one remaining issue to be resolved by PUCT is ETI’s request to own and operate transportation electrification related infrastructure, including electric vehicle charging facilities.
Staff report:
• Mayor Bert Miller issued a proclamation recognizing Navasota ISDs Top Ten Seniors for 2022-2023 and another proclaiming May 8-13 as Economic Development Week.
• HR Director Peggy Johnson introduced new Public Works employee, Graduate Civil Engineer Jon Mackay.
• Johnson presented a 15-year service award to Public Works employee Edwin Sandoval.
•Public Works Director Jennifer Reyna gave an up on CIP projects.
Other council action: • After a public hearing with no comments against, council approved the request by Ricky Hux for the abandonment of a 20-foot public alley north of Washington Avenue and adjacent to N. Eighth Street.
• Approved a contract in the amount of $129,438 with Weisinger, Inc., for purchase of materials related to emergency repairs of Water Well No. 4 at 6559 Link Dr. near FM 421 and Industrial Dr. as authorized by Texas Local Government Code, Section 252.022(a)(3).
• Approved a contract in the amount of $98,103 with Weisinger, Inc., for purchase of materials related to emergency repairs of Water Well No. 7 at 11167 CR 451 as authorized by Texas Local Government Code, Section 252.022(a)(3).
• Approved Resolution No. 739-23 authorizing the mayor, city manager, finance director and grant coordinator to represent the City of Navasota on matters pertaining to the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program.
• Approved Consent Agenda which included (1) April minutes, (2) April Municipal Court Report, (3) second reading of Ordinance No. 1018-23, a zoning change in the Dove Crossing subdivision and (4) second reading of Ordinance No. 1017-23, a zoning change in Pecan Lakes Estates Phase III.
City council meetings can be seen in their entirety at https://www.navasotatx. gov/city-council/pages/ meeting-videos.