Marble Falls City Council plans to tackle three main issues during its first meeting of New Year 2025.
Council members will gather for the meeting 6 p.m., Jan. 7, in city hall, 800 Third St.
First on the regular agenda, the council could decide whether to oppose an energy rate hike proposed recently by ATMOS Energy, headquartered in Dallas.
ATMOS is the main supplier of natural gas to Marble Falls for commercial, industrial, transportation and residential use.
When they met last month, ATMOS officials approved a rate hike of more than 9% for residential gas consumption, which could raise the residential average monthly bill from $84.03 to at least $91.94 per month.
During the same meeting last month, ATMOS officials proposed no rate increase for commercial, industrial or transportation use.
During the Jan. 7 council meeting, the members could decide to follow the recommendation of the ATMOS Texas Municipalities coalition, that is, to retain the Herrera & Associates law firm to take action against the residential rate hike proposed by ATMOS.
Second on the Jan. 7 agenda, the council could approve more than $47,000 for a contract with TRC Engineers for construction and technical services related to the Nature Heights Drainage Improvement Grant project, including a makeover of Nature Heights Drive between U.S. 281 and an area about 85 feet east of Commerce Street.
If approved, funding for the contract would come from the city General Capital Improvements Fund, which holds a combination of bond and grant proceeds.
Third, also related to the Nature Heights, the council could approve a contract of more than $97,800 with Langford Community Services to administer and manage the Texas Division of Emergency Grant for Phase 2 of the drainage improvement project.
Federal Emergency Management Agency funds would pay for the Langford services, according to city officials.
During its consent agenda, so as to improve local traffic conditions, the council is expected to agree to share with Heritage Oaks Holdings LLC at 50% the cost of $600,000 for construction and extension of 12th Street from the intersection of Avenue E to Avenue D.
The city share of $300,000 from the street maintenance fund would be spent for fuel, equipment and personnel needed to complete the project.
Finally, during a closed-door, executive session, the council members and City Attorney Josh Brockman-Weber plan to discuss a letter of intent offered by Onsite Partners, a firm devoted to renewable energy.
