TipSheet: Travis County, 1.8.19

The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The full agenda can be found on the Travis County website.

17. Consider and take appropriate action regarding: a. Setting a public hearing on January 29, 2019, to receive comments on a petition to create the Velocity Crossing Public Improvement District (PID) b. Publishing notice of the public hearing c. Mailing written notice of the public hearing to owner(s) of property subject to assessment under the proposed PID (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: The Velocity Crossing PID will transform a relatively affordable and underdeveloped corner of Travis County at the intersection of state highways 71 and 130 into a compact mixed-use development, featuring a cinema, multifamily housing and various retail shops. There is also an HEB planned for an adjacent lot which is not part of the PID. Several public improvements are planned as part of the PID, including improvements to the public roadway network, added park space, a trail connection to Onion Creek Greenway and extension of the city’s water and wastewater services farther into southeastern Travis County. Notice of the public hearing to be held Jan. 29 will be published in the community newspaper La Prensa and on Nextdoor.

18. Consider and take appropriate action on the Civil & Family Courts Facilities Project. (This item may be taken into Executive Session under the Consultation with Attorney and Real Property exceptions.) (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Expect this to be on the agenda every week this year. Funding for the much-needed courthouse is still a major concern, but in the meantime the planning process will continue.

19. Approve contract award for Permanent Water Quality Control Services, IFB 1810-004-RF, to the sole bidder, ADK Environmental, Inc. (Commissioner Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: Transportation and Natural Resources staff says it is content with the water quality control services of its current contractor, ADK Environmental, which is fortunate considering none of the 46 other bidders who viewed the county’s solicitation made an offer. The renewed contract will last one year.

23. Approve contract award for Hamilton Pool Road Safety Improvement Phase I, IFB No. B1809-022-TG, to the low bidder, Capital Excavation Company. (Commissioner Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: Capital Excavation Company made a bid to complete Phase I of the Hamilton Pool Road Safety Improvement project for $2,241,998.50. Phase I comprises Phase IA to reconstruct the bridge over Hamilton Creek with shoulder and bike safety lanes and Phase IB to reconstruct and add turn lanes and 6-foot shoulders and bike safety lanes at the Hamilton Pool Preserve entrance.

30. Approve contract award for US 290 East Landfill Improvements, IFB No. B1809-018- AC, to the low bidder, SCS Field Services. (Commissioner Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: The US 290 East Landfill has been a financial strain on taxpayers since ceasing operations almost four decades ago. Equipment used to manage leachate, water contaminated by the landfill’s waste, is now 21 years old and in need of replacement. SCS Field Services has made a bid to replace the wells and piping for $365,000.

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