By Anton Riecher
An engineering study to investigate floodplain issues with the site of a yet unnamed subdivision proposed for FM 2790 was approved by the Lytle City Council during its July 22 regular session.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows said the new subdivision would be adjacent to the east side of the planned Lytle Farms subdivision. The proposed project will consist of single family and duplexes dwellings with commercial development fronting FM 2790.
“We have been working with our attorneys on this particular subdivision before we bring anything to you,” Meadows told the council. “Unfortunately, this is kind of the first one that has hit that they need to get some answers on because there are some floodplain issues with the particular property in question.”
Meadows said the study will be in preparation for a public hearing on annexation of the property into the city. The study will be conducted by TRC Engineering with the developer responsible for reimbursing the $3,000 cost to the city.
District 3 Alderman David Emery, acting as mayor pro tem, presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Ruben Gonzalez.
In other business, the council approved a resolution ratifying an interlocal agreement to place radio antennas on the city water tower located near the Lytle High School. The resolution made official action taken by Mayor Gonzalez in co-signing the agreement with Lytle ISD superintendent Dustin Breithaupt.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows said the mayor had taken the action following through on a discussion with Lytle ISD officials several meetings prior about placement of the antennas to improve emergency service reception at the high school.
Mayor Pro Tem Emery said the action was obviously “part of the big push for better school security which would involve better communication between agencies at the school.”
The council also voted to approve an agreement with SERCO of Texas to place a young job seeker in the city library as a workplace agreement. Managing various employment and training programs, SERCO serves more than 80,000 job seekers and employers through its Workforce Career Centers throughout Texas.
Meadows explains that the worker gains valuable work experience at no cost to the city. All expenses are covered by SERCO.
Council members also approved a resolution to apply to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to participate in its local park grant program. Meadows explained that the potential matching grant would ideally be applied to lighting to permit Little League night games in Lytle.
“We’re seeking to start the process and go down that route,” Meadows said.
The council tabled action on approving a chairperson for the City of Lytle Annual Awards Committee until the next scheduled council meeting August 12.
After a closed executive session lasting nearly an hour the council took action to accept the resignation of Betty Kroger as the city’s interim animal control director effective July 30. No action was taken regarding the easements in Saddle Ridge, also slated to be discussed during the closed session.