With the weather warming and May approaching, it’s nearly pool season again at the City Pool at Shelby Park.
On Thursday night, Edna City Council members approved a contract with the Calhoun County YMCA to operate the city pool this swim season. YMCA Regional Executive Director Michele Morales spoke to council members during the meeting, answering questions and explaining what services would be provided.
The Calhoun County YMCA will be offering the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course and certification test at the Shelby Park pool during the first week of May for any residents age 15 years old and up who wish to work as lifeguards at the pool. Registration is $125 per person, due by April 29, and the course will be taught from 4:30-7 p.m. May 4-7 at the pool. The registration form is posted on the city’s website and Facebook page.
Although an opening date has not yet been announced, the pool will be open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and will be available to rent for private parties. For more information, call the Calhoun County YMCA at 361-551-2562.
In other business, the council:
During the Staff Reports section of the meeting, City Manager Gary Broz said that the CO Project is moving along, with water lines currently being installed on Division Street around Fulton Street, with plans to proceed toward Wells Street. The city is still waiting on information on the arrival of the Kleas generator, CivilCorp is in the design phase for the MIT Project in District 2, and city staff are working at closing out the GLO Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Grant. The city’s annual spring Cleanup Week is less than two weeks away, set for April 27-May 2 at the Kleas Warehouse, and city staff and volunteers continue to work on the Flag City Celebration planned for Sat., June 13 in downtown Edna.
Broz attended part of the annual Mid-Coast Hurricane Conference in Victoria and said that the city is starting to take inventory and prepare, including working on disaster contracts for hurricane cleanup. The auditor is scheduled to attend the May 7th council meeting to present the 2024-2025 city audit. The city is doing well on its finances and sales tax came in higher this month. City staff will be starting to prepare for budget season this summer, and the city is working with the Friends of Edna on several projects.
City Finance Director Valerie Callaway said that the cityreceived $18,097.83 in ad valorem tax revenue from Jackson County, as well as a $135,327.87 payment of the city sales and use tax allocation and $624.47 mixed beverage tax from the Texas State Comptroller’s office. The Hotel-Motel revenue for the fiscal year is $47,254.72. The 941 quarterly report, Texas Workforce Commission report, and Bureau of Labor Statistics quarterly and monthly reports have been filed, along with the Operation Lone Star grant.
City Streets Supervisor Andy Brzozowski said that crews havepatched potholes as time allowed; cleaned the ditch on S. Colorado Street between Pin Oak and Live Oak Streets; and cleaned the drainage ditch on the north side of Gayle Street from Apollo Drive to Pumphrey Street. On the north side of Gayle Street between Suzanne Street and Dennis Street, workers found a leaking joint which created a washed-out area. Workers are in the process of making a concrete collar around the joints to stop the condition.
In addition, Shoreline Plumbing was able to drive a remote camera through the south side of the W. Gayle Street drainage system and find approximately 200 feet of flattened and severely deteriorated pipe within 100 feet in each direction of Meadow Lane. Brzozowski said he is working on a design for repairs which involves replacement of 200 feet of this system.
Crews also installed a new driveway at the north end of Roosevelt Street; removed hackberry trees and underbrush and trimmed a live oak tree; shredded and trimmed; and helped American Electric Power with limb trimming on S. Wells Street near E. Division Street.
Public Works Director Brad Ryan said that crews pulled the No. 2 pump at the East Main Lift Station; repaired a leak at the two-inch meter at the youth football field; re-installed the No. 4 pump at the Sunset Lift Station; cleaned the shop and yard; cleaned algae off of the clarifier; repaired lights at the dog pound; hand dug around booster pumps at the Kleas water well; pulled out the gear box at the West Main Lift Station and replaced it with a new one; and made sludge boxes at the sewer plant.
City Police Chief Kenneth Pyle said that the Edna Police Department has conducted 72 traffic stops, 21 citations, 84 warnings, three arrests, 419 calls for service, and 34 reportable offenses during the past two weeks. Officers are continuing to work in school zones as much as possible. They also blocked Elm Street from Richard Browning Lane to the entrance of Dennis Auto for the T’s Tanning & Boutique warehouse event.
The department is having work done on several units’ DVR systems, as well as fixing damaged wires on a unit’s front brush guard. Pyle also was able to use forfeiture funds to install a camera system in his patrol unit without using budgeted money, and he is continuing to work with DEWWIT for a corrective action plan from the CJIS audit.
City Parks Supervisor/Code Enforcement Jaime Liepe reported that 10 new cases have been opened since April 2nd, with one now in compliance and three others working to bring the properties into compliance. The remainder will receive letters to come to court. In addition, a contractor came in for a demolition permit and will begin demo work on 910 Harris St. next week.
The next city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thur., May 7 at City Hall.