City Managers Report September 3rd 2024

CLAIMS –

We did not have any worker’s compensation claims or liability claims in August.
We submitted a claim to TML for vehicle damage resulting from a minor accident involving 2 fleet vehicles.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN –

We have been awarded the $250,000 grant to help pay for the comprehensive plan, and the grant contract is signed. Staff is preparing a request for qualifications to distribute to planning firms in September.

HOLIDAY DRIVE –

Water and sewer lines are completed. Underground drainage is also completed. The Capital Construction Division is now replacing the curb and gutter that was approved at the August city council meeting. The 12” bore across IH-30 is completed and the contractor is pressure testing the line now.
After Holiday Drive Capital Construction crews will move to Alabama Street and Thermo for water main and sewer main installation.

WASTEWATER CHLORINE CONTACT CHAMBER –

This $2.2 million project will repurpose a former (abandoned) sand filter turning it into a chlorine contact chamber. Chlorine contact time is a bottleneck at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP has a rated capacity of 5.4 MGD. Staff believes we can increase the capacity to 10 MGD when the project is completed. The increase will require TCEQ approval, but staff thinks it is feasible. The project is being funded from the Enterprise Fund balance. Staff has published a request for qualifications for an engineering firm. We expect to have the recommended engineering firm on the November city council agenda for your approval.

STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) –

Following is the list of streets to be repaved in the 2024 Street Improvement Program. The highlighted streets have been completed. Weaver and Shook were completed in August. All the remains are a few asphalt repairs.

REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES –

Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the usual report of revenues and expenditures.

Elsewhere around the city, employees: 

• Responded to 254 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires, 8 vehicle fires and 13 grass fires.
• Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
• Performed 15 fire inspections.
• Repaired 194 potholes.
• Made 18 extensive street repairs following utility cuts.
  Replaced 17 stop signs.
• Hauled street sweeper spoils to the landfill.
• Shredded around Lake Sulphur Springs.
• Checked out 3,951 items from the Library plus 1,165 eBooks.
• Performed 69 building inspections, 24 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, and 5 mechanical inspections.
• Issued 41 building permits and 55 trade permits.
• Made electrical repairs to the Hopkins Count Veterans Memorial. • Programmed all school zone lights.
• Repaired ac units at city hall.
• Performed preventative maintenance to the wastewater belt press and various other apparatuses.
• Treated effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 0.29 mg/L. • Hauled 185 tons of sludge to the landfill.
• Repaired 20 water main ruptures.
• Replaced 16 water meters.
• Unstopped 10 sewer mains.
• Drained and cleaned #2 clear well at the water treatment plant. • Installed 2 mixers in clear well.
• Operated Cooper Lake Pump Station on backup power for 7 hours. • Flushed 37 dead-end water mains.
• Responded to 200 animal control calls while maintaining an adoption rate of 88%. • Made 5 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
• Responded to 17 accidents, issued 550 citations, recorded 40 offences and made 47 arrests in the Patrol Division.
• Responded to 2,365 calls in the Patrol Division.
• Sold 2,442 gallons of AvGas and 11,262 gallons of JetA fuel.
• Accommodated 1,839 flight operations at the airport.
• Power washed sidewalks downtown.
• Treated all grass areas for army worms.
• Held 81 activities for seniors.
• Installed 600 feet of French drain on Soccer Field 6.
• Secured a grant to upgrade field lighting at Coleman Park.
• Secured funding for new scoreboards