CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE - FY 2021 Budget Work Sessions Begin July 20 - City of League City
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CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE JULY 17, 2020 FY 2021 Budget Work Sessions Begin July 20 On Tuesday, July 14, League City Manager John All six work sessions will be streamed live on the City’s Baumgartner and City staff presented the League City Facebook page and on the City’s website. Citizens can Council with a proposed budget for the upcoming 2021 provide feedback at any time regarding the budget fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2020. Click here to process, individual department budgets, and overall see the Proposed FY 2021 Budget. spending priorities for the City by submitting an online comment at www.leaguecity.com/budgetcomment. All Starting Monday, July 20, and over the next several weeks, submitted comments will be shared with City Council League City will be hosting six City Council work sessions members and with the City Manager. All public comment to review and discuss the proposed budget. At each of submissions become public record. the sessions, directors and managers from different City departments will present their proposed budget and answer Click here for a schedule of the work sessions. The League questions from council members. Members of the public are City Council is scheduled to vote on the first reading of the invited to attend the work sessions, which will be held inside FY 2021 budget ordinance on August 25, with a second the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center ballroom, and will be able to reading and vote scheduled for September 8. provide feedback and comments. However, seating will be extremely limited due to social distancing requirements. Council Candidate Filing Begins July 20 The next general election for the City of League City will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 for expiring terms of Council Positions No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. Filing for a place on the ballot will begin July 20, 2020 and end August 17, 2020 at 5 p.m. Click here for filing information and for a candidate information packet. COVID Assistance Available to Residents More than $250,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds are available to League City residents in need of emergency economic assistance, including the payment of utility bills, due to COVID-19. The City is working with Interfaith Ministries to distribute the funds. If you need assistance paying your water bill, or know someone who does, please call Utility Billing at 281- 554-1335. This month, League City resumed the collection of late fees on utility bill payments and resumed the cutoff of service for non-payment. Those residential customers who have not worked out a payment plan with the City or have not reached out for financial assistance are subject to having their service disconnected.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 Addressing Other Health Issues During COVID Representatives from Memorial Hermann League City, as well as other hospitals and healthcare providers in the League City area, are concerned about residents avoiding medical facilities, delaying annual screenings, and overlooking critical medical issues for fear of contracting COVID-19. During this week’s Facebook Lunch and Learn, Dr. Stephanie Crittenden, a family physician with Memorial Hermann League City, and Kelly Ochoa, Vice President of Operations for Memorial Hermann, stressed the overall safety of local hospitals and the availability of ICU beds in the Bay Area. The two also encouraged residents NOT to avoid their doctor and to NOT cancel annual screenings, immunizations, and exams because of fear of contracting COVID-19. COVID Protection Pledge More and more local businesses are taking the League City Workplace Protection Pledge to do their part to protect staff and customers and to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The latest businesses include Sulphur Experts and DK’s Dustbusters. For more information and for a complete listing of all League City businesses that have taken the pledge, click here. Summer Passport of Fun Continues Until August 31 Residents are getting out and about this summer to explore League City, and they are doing it safely, by taking part in the City’s Summer of Fun Passport. Over a dozen people have already filled up their entire passport and collected their winning prize bag. There is still plenty of time to play. Pick up a passport at City Hall and start exploring League City’s parks, museums, and restaurants and retailers that have reopened for business. The more places you visit, the more free League City swag you earn. Complete the entire passport and you will be entered into a raffle drawing for the GRAND PRIZE, which includes a weekend stay at Southshore Harbour, dinner for 2 at Opus Bistro, and gift cards to local businesses. Remember to wear your mask and social distance! For more information, click here.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 Public Safety Updates New LCPD Assistant Chief LCPD Entrance Exam July 24 Congratulations to our new Assistant Police Chief, The next civil service entrance exam for those interested Anthony Hera. Hera was hired in 1993, and during in becoming an officer with the League City Police the last 27 years he has served in multiple roles in both Department is set for July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Johnnie the Operations and Criminal Investigations Bureaus. Arolfo Civic Center. Those interested in taking the exam, Throughout the years he has been promoted up through must register here. Prior to entering the testing facility, the ranks to the role of Captain, most recently serving as attendees will have their temperature checked. If an Captain of the Criminal Investigations Bureau. attendee is shown to have a temperature of 100.4 or higher, they will NOT be allowed to enter the testing facility. Once inside, participants will be assigned a seat and will be expected to follow social distancing and safety protocols. Once the written exam is completed, attendees will have their answer sheets graded and will be notified if they received a passing score. For more information on the LCPD hiring process, visit https:// www.leaguecity.com/577/LCPD-Jobs. Protecting City’s First Responders from COVID The League City Police Department Communication Center uses the National Academy Honoring a Local Hero Emergency During the July 14 City Council meeting, LCPD Police Medical Dispatch Chief Gary Ratliff, along with the Mayor and City Council, Program when honored wrecker driver William Price and presented him taking calls from with the League City Life Saving Award for his efforts to citizens requesting rescue two residents from a fiery car crash earlier this year. EMS assistance. The NAEMD is an internationally recognized protocol that uses a structured set of questions to determine the response required by EMS. With the current pandemic, the system has been updated with a new protocol of questions to assist first responders with information to determine the level of precautions that need to be taken with possible COVID-19 patients. Each LCPD telecommunicator has taken on the responsibility to ensure that each League City first responder is provided with as much information as possible to keep them safe from any foreseeable exposures to this virus.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 Public Safety Updates Citizen Support for LCPD The Police Department would like to thank the citizens of League City for their outpouring of support and appreciation over the last few weeks. From delivering bagels for breakfast and BBQ for lunch, to creating yard signs, and even works of art, League City loves the Police Department. Public Works Updates Relocation of Data Servers Treatment Plant Temporary Offices This week, Water Department The installation of the staff worked with contractors temporary offices at the to relocate key components City's Dallas Salmon of the City’s Supervisory Wastewater Treatment Control and Data Acquisition Plant is complete. Water, (SCADA) system for water sewer, power, and distribution and wastewater network connectivity treatment facilities. Relocating was performed through the antennas and data servers a coordinated effort with to a centralized, protected the IT, Facilities, and Line location will improve overall Repair Departments. reliability and functionality. Wastewater Department SCADA is utilized to remotely monitor and control critical supervisory staff will utilize this onsite office space until a water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities permanent operations center is approved for design and afterhours and during weather related emergencies. construction.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 Public Works Updates Pothole Repairs Crews from the Streets Department have been working diligently to keep the City’s roadways free from potholes. Now, while the weather is hot and dry, is the best time to perform this type of work. This week, crews have been focused on small to mid-size repairs to keep the City’s asphalt roadways from further deteriorating and to maintain smooth drivability for motorists. When inspecting the various types of cracks or failures on the surface of the asphalt, staff are able to determine what type of repair is needed and arrive prepared with the equipment and materials to complete the work. Repairs such as the one shown here require base repair before the installation of new asphalt. Depending on the size of the bad section, many times a square section is cut out of the roadway and the base is replaced with stabilized limestone. Then the area is resurfaced with HMAC “hot mix asphaltic concrete.” Installing asphalt in a square section helps the new asphalt better bind with the existing roadway so the repair will last much longer. Drainage Maintenance Wastewater pH Monitoring Stormwater crews continue to have a productive summer The City’s wastewater treatment plants test for pH in their maintenance season with recent completion of flowline final effluent water every day. Part of the City’s Texas maintenance on the Meadows tributary ditch, upper Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (TPDES) permit reaches of Magnolia Creek near League City Parkway, issued by TCEQ requires pH to be monitored, analyzed, and Sweetgum ditch. Maintenance of major outfall and reported. Excessive low and high pH can have a ditches includes the utilization of long reach excavators negative effect on both humans and aquatic life. As pH to remove silt and restore flowlines to their original levels move away from the preferred range (up or down) condition. it can stress aquatic organism’s systems, reduce hatching, and cause higher mortality rates. Water quality conditions from wastewater treatment plants play a significant role in the receiving streams, so pH is crucial to our receiving stream, which is Clear Creek. The final effluent pH value must be between 6-9 standard units. A pH of less than 7 indicates acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a basic. The final effluent at SWWRF has an average pH of 7.18 and Dallas Salmon has an average pH of 7.28.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 CIP Updates League Park and Drainage Improvements (ED1503): 16” Waterline SSH Booster Station to FM2094 League Park is receiving a major improvement effort (WT1909): This project will add a new waterline that will with new pavers, lighting, and an improved lawn area, increase system capacity, improve hydraulic efficiencies, which is roughly $2 million of the construction budget. The provide redundancy, and improve pressure capabilities project scope also includes drainage improvements with to the South Shore Harbour service area. The proposed a new storm sewer line that will connect to an existing waterline is approximately 3,800 linear feet in length and will storm sewer at Kansas Street, totaling $1.44 million. run south to north from the South Shore Harbour Booster Pump From Kansas Street the storm sewer line will run along Station to FM 2094. Construction is anticipated to begin in Coryell Street and tie to an existing manhole near Park late July with substantial completion by September 2020. Avenue. Coryell will be rehabilitated once the drainage is complete and is roughly $520,000 of the budget. A Bay Colony Park-Master Plan and Phase 1 (PK2001): new waterline is also included along Coryell for a total of The purpose of this project is to provide a master plan for a $215,000. Lucas Construction was awarded the contract construction project to provide five ball fields for youth sports and began construction work on January 27, 2020. at a future park site west of I-45 to be known as Bay Colony Construction time to substantial completion is anticipated Park. Other project elements to be designed include a trail, to take approximately 270 calendar days for completion landscaping, restrooms, scoring area, concession stand, by November 2020. The installation of all new lights in parking, and a maintenance building and yard. Recently the park, as well as the installation of the storm sewer line the City received an extensive wetland delineation report along Coryell Street between Kansas and Michigan, for the approximate 106-acre site. While there are several is complete. The base material of lime and crushed acres of wetlands within the site, they are considered to be concrete on the first half of Coryell between Kansas and non-jurisdictional, according to SSCi, the environmental Michigan has been installed, and the contractor has also firm that prepared the report. Jurisdictional refers to whether completed the installation of the lime, black base, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) can concrete gutter for overflow parking at 3rd Street and dictate how the wetland areas are developed, preserved Michigan. Site grading within the park is continuing. or mitigated. The next step is for the USACE to approve the status recommended by SSCi. The USACE decision will guide TBG as they prepare the master plan for the new park. If the agency determines that all wetland areas are non-jurisdictional, the consultants will still need to determine if any wetlands should be preserved or enhanced during park development. Receipt of this report is an important milestone for the project. It is unknown at this time how long the USACE approval process will take. The city also expects to receive a completed topographic and boundary survey from TBG’s surveying consultant by August 2020. This is also an important step in the master planning process as it will reveal other important pieces of information needed to determine the best location for park features. The City has applied for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant of $750,000 that will be decided in August 2020. The grant will supplement 4B Corporation funding that will construct a five field sports facility within Phase 1 of the park. The 4B Corporation and the League City Park Board will review plans as they become available. Public input will also be received during a series of future meetings as part of the master planning process.
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 CIP Updates Main Street Waterline Replacement Project (WT1904B): This project will replace a 10-inch diameter waterline along the northwest side of FM 518, from Interstate 45 to State Highway 3, with a new 12-inch diameter waterline. The increase in diameter will provide additional capacity for future needs. Due to the amount of traffic on this section of FM 518, various options are being considered for construction. This is a complex project due to the amount of infrastructure (utility crossings, pipelines, water service connections) within an already narrow TxDOT right of way. The first design submittal for this project is anticipated to be received within the next month, and construction is planned to begin in 2021. Hometown Heroes Park Improvements - 5K Loop Trail, Dog Park & Fitness Course (PK1803): The three planned improvements to League City’s Hometown Heroes Park—the 5K Loop Trail, the Eastside Dog Park, and the Fitness/ Obstacle Course—were combined into one project in January 2020, as TBG’s design contract was amended to include the fitness course and some alternate items for the Dog Park. TBG submitted the 60 percent construction documents on July 2 and they are currently being reviewed by the City. In addition, the project was discussed during an online pre-development review which included the City’s Development Review Committee (DRC) and TBG Partners. The final design for the project is still on target to be completed in early fall of 2020. It will then proceed to the bidding and construction phases. 1 mile Future parking if 2 miles extension is necessary 1 mile 3/4 mile Training Future hill Assembly area Pavilion, race start dog park for events point and awards area Trailhead/connection to overall trail system Future 10-foot adjacent sidewalk connection Obstacle course Existing 10-foot trail connection (1 mile from south trail to assembly area) Conceptual Rendering
League City | City Manager’s Update JULY 17 | 2020 Helen Hall Library Updates Teens Do you love anime? Teens, ages 12-18, can join us virtually to discuss some good anime shows while we simultaneously watch them. The Virtual Teen Anime Club is July 20 from 4-5:30 p.m. via Zoom, and we vote for the show we are going to watch. To register, visit https://helenhall.libcal.com/event/6789110. The Virtual Magical Marathon is July 21 from 2-5 p.m. via Zoom, and we will be binge-watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. To register, visit https://helenhall.libcal. com/event/6789125. Anime shows selected are rated PG-13 and TV-14. We do not have screening permission to show the content online, but teens can get a free Crunchyroll account (with ads) here. We will announce what we will be watching at the beginning of each meeting so that everyone can watch on their own account at the same time while discussing the shows through Zoom. Adults Children Are you a crossword or anagram puzzle fan? Come join Arts Alive! Online Fairy Tale Fun, part 2 is available all day us starting July 15 for a chance to use the Wordscapes on Wednesday, July 22. The program is for children ages app and utilize your tablet or device for a fun way to 0-5. Arts Alive! utilizes the magic of joy, imagination, and the pass the time. Follow the link on the library's Facebook arts, to take children on a one-of-a-kind learning experience. page! Tap into joy and the power of the expressive arts. Volunteer Opportunities Coming Up Library Volunteer Coordinator, London Lawrence, recently had a radio interview with Gardy Garcia at KHEA. During the interview he discussed the library’s volunteer program and virtual programming going on at the library. Virtual volunteer opportunities are coming up, so be sure to fill out an application online or at the library if you're interested.
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