Damaged GST solution meets specifications

The Navasota City Council met in regular session Monday, March 11, approving project change orders, zoning requests and concluding the issue of the damaged groundwater storage tank. It was noted that all members were present except Councilman Josh Fultz.

GST agreement reached

City council members met in executive session as permitted by Section 551.071 of the Texas Government code to consult with legal counsel regarding the city’s 1-million-gallon groundwater storage tank damaged during installation.

Referring to DN Tanks’ second proposal for repair of the cracked floor presented at the Feb. 11 council meeting, and after further negotiation, City Manager Brad Stafford said, “DN Tanks has made a proposal to construct a new monolithic slab floor, provide two - possibly four, groundwater monitoring wells. They will also perform geotechnical and geophysical studies of the foundation of the tank with both ground penetrating readings and borings and have also offered a 10-year warranty on the floor.”

Stafford told The Examiner, “We are comfortable that it meets specifications and we get the reassurance of the groundwater monitoring, the extended warranty and the testing of the subgrade.”

It was noted that the original warranty was for one year, but the city will receive nine additional years at no extra cost. The damage occurred Aug. 17 during the process of filling the new tank, resulting in a cracked floor.

Change orders

approved

Council approved two change order requests for the 2018 Alley Reconstruction Project in the amount of $17,125 and $14,762.50 totaling $31,887.50, bringing the contract price with D&S Contractors to $186,902.50. The additional work allows for ease of future development in the Railroad Street alley area by installing 6-inch sewer lines in all two-story buildings instead of the existing 4-inch line bid and replacing the 1-inch water line in the existing bid with 2-inch water lines. The second change order extends the 4-inch electrical conduit and 1-inch data circuits to the edge of the building instead of the right of way as bid.

Stafford advised that the project was still under budget, “We had estimated that the project was going to cost more than bid.”

Also approved was a request to increase Bleyl Engineering’s existing $5,800 construction administration budget on the Alleyway Project up to an additional $6,000. Bleyl reported 15 hours above budget due to extensive coordination with power companies, property owners and issues encountered from work underground not previously documented.

Council approved the Downtown Revitalization Project change order in the amount of $3,820 for an additional planter box and irrigation in front of The Chandelier Room, bringing the revised contract amount to $378,317. Due to project time constraints, the motion was amended and approved contingent upon review by the project engineer with the city manager authorized to approve any documents.

Rezoning continues

Ordinance 880-19 was approved, rezoning two properties totaling 1.5 acres on Laredo Street and 4.489 acres on Allen Street from Agriculture/ Open Space District (A/O) to B-1, General Business District.

Council approved Ordinance 881-19, changing the current A/O zoning to a Public Use District for two additional properties on Allen and Laredo Streets. A city water tower is located on 2 acres owned by the city of Navasota on Allen Street and Navasota ISD uses the 20.05 acres on Laredo Street for the agriculture program.

Community Development Director Lupe Diosdado said, “Changing this to public use, they (NISD) will still be able to use it as an ag educational facility since under the Public Use District, you do have outdoor educational facilities as permitted uses.”

Ordinance 882-19 was approved, changing 7.541 acres on Allen Street to R-3, high density, multi-dwelling unit, residential district. According to Diosdado, the property abuts existing R-3 zoning districts and rezoning the tract will encourage multi-dwelling development.

Other council action:

•approved Resolution 653-19, transferring duties relating to maintenance of birth and death records from the city of Navasota to Grimes County;

•approved the consent agenda that included the minutes and expenditures for the month of February 2019;

•approved Ordinance 883-19, canceling the May 4, 2019, General City Election since no candidate on the ballot is opposed; and

•Mayor Bert Miller issued proclamations recognizing Youth Art Month and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Staff reports:

•Navasota Fire Chief Jason Katkoski introduced newly hired firefighters, Rachel Crivelli and Jeff Paul.

•Streets and Sanitation foreman Norbert Valdez reported that 455 tires and 226 loads of junk and debris that filled 12 roll-offs were received during the Annual Spring Cleanup.

•Marketing Coordinator Emily Gainey reported 2,100-plus tickets sold for the 2019 Texas Birthday Bash, the new VIP location was a success, expenditures were down from past events and more local vendors were used this year. Final figures will be available by the March 25 meeting.

•Stafford recapped 2019 city projects and active grant applications. It was noted that of the top projects totaling $3 million only $160,000 is city funded.

Other:

During remarks of visitors, resident Dia Copeland addressed council about the deteriorating structure at 201 Ketchum. In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, Miller requested the item be placed on a subsequent agenda.

Upcoming events:

•April 6, Saturday - Keep Navasota Beautiful 18th annual Trash-Off, 8 a.m., Navasota Center.

•April 6, Saturday - Daddy-Daughter Dance, Navasota Center. Tickets available online or at City Hall.