July 11th, 2008
City Council Meeting Preview: July 15, 2008

City Manager Swearing In

The public is invited to attend the swearing in of City Manager Rick Menchaca at 4 p.m. at the Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins. Following the reception, the Council will begin its meeting with an executive session at 6 p.m. followed by the regular session starting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins.

Fat. Oil & Grease Ordinance Changes

The Council will consider second reading of the FOG ordinance aimed at reducing damaging fats, oil and grease from entering the City’s wastewater collection system. The ordinance gives the City authority to require preventive measures, to inspect and sample facilities that generate fats, oil and grease as the result of commercial food processing, food preparation or food service. Covered by the ordinance are non-domestic customers such as restaurants, food manufacturers, food processors, hospitals, hotels/motels, and nursing homes and similar facilities. The rules do not apply to residential customers. The measure is part of an agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality adopted June 17 by the City Council aimed at preventing overflows from the sewer system. The FOG ordinance establishes general requirements for businesses and waste haulers, and provides for enforcement and penalties. For more information, contact Tom Taggart, Director of Water/ Wastewater Utilities, at 393-8010.

N. LBJ Engineering

The City Council also will consider awarding a contract for engineering services for the North LBJ Drive reconstruction project to Kellogg, Brown and Root. The project will include street reconstruction, drainage, intersection improvements, water lines, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. For more information, contact Sabas Avila, Interim Director of Engineering at 393-8130.

Single-Stream Recycling

The City Council will also discuss options for single-stream recycling, or collecting recycling materials that are combined in a single container. Texas Disposal Systems has proposed single stream recycling for residential customers for an additional $1.77 per month fee. In addition staff will present information on recycling services for multi-family, commercial, city facilities, and special events. For more information, contact Richard Mendoza, Director of Public Works, 393-8036.

Community Policing

Assistant Chief of Police Lisa Dvorak will present a community policing update on noise and disorder in neighborhoods as a discussion item. The Council will take up this discussion at 7:30 p.m.. She will present information about the collaboration with Texas State University and the approach being used to address neighborhood issues. For more information, contact Assistant Chief Dvorak at 753-2191.

The agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting is posted online at http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/publicagenda/meetings.aspx . Regular City Council meetings are aired live on Time Warner Channel 10 and Grande Channel 16 and video streamed live on the City’s website at www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us

By MELISSA MILLECAM
Communications Director – City of San Marcos