The City of Edna will be joining other Texas cities to oppose a proposed rate increase by American Electric Power.
City Manager Gary Broz told council members during Thursday’s meeting cities around the state are banding together to oppose the statewide electricity provider’s proposed rate hike.
“AEP is going after a rate increase,” Broz said. “What this is, is letting us join the rest of our colleague cities and putting our name on the list to go against (it).”
The council voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 2026-09, authorizing intervention in AEP Texas, Inc.’s application to amend its Rider Mobile Temporary Emergency Election Energy facilities before the state Public Utilities Commission and therefore approving cooperation with the cities served by AEP Texas. As part of the resolution to join the group of cities, the City of Edna approved the hiring of Lloyd Gosselink Attorneys and Consulting Services to negotiate with the company and direct all necessary litigation and appeals, and if successful, the city could possibly receive reimbursement to cities rate case express.
The council also heard public comments from Yolanda Robinson and Delores King, who voiced concern about potential semi-truck traffic on residential streets leading to the newly announced Bauner aluminum extrusion facility, to be located at the old rice elevator on Fannin Street. Robinson and King asked the council to address the possibility of a different entrance to the property that would route commercial traffic to Main Street rather than through the neighborhood where children play.
During the Public Comments section of a meeting, elected officials are not supposed to discuss anything with those who speak, so as to allow opportunity for staff to look intosuggestions and/or complaints before committing to any action. Mayor Lance Smiga and Broz urged Robinson and King to come by City Hall to further discuss their concerns and suggestions.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, Smiga presented two proclamations to the Jackson County Hospital District, announcing May 6 to May 12 as Nurses’ Week and May 17 to May 23 as EMS Week.
An agenda item concerning Planning and Zoning Commission members was tabled until the next meeting on May 21.
Council members voted to pay current bills of $260,584.86.
During the Staff Reports section of the meeting, Broz said that the Port Lavaca YMCA has trained and hired eight local lifeguards for the Shelby Park pool. The C.O. Project is moving along and received a truckload of concrete drainage features that morning. Likewise, the MIT Project also is continuing to move along toward the end of the environmental and design phases. The city is working with County Wide Drainage on easements through Edna along Dry Creek. The Kleas Generator Project is moving slowly. Funding for the Texas Water Development Board/FEMA Post Oak Drainage Project for the east side of the city is still unofficial but looking promising. The city will be awarding bids at the next meeting for drainage repairs on Gayle and Meadow Lane, and bids for demolition of six condemned buildings will go out next week.
Last week’s Cleanup Week was a success. Final numbers are being tallied and will be shared later. In addition, weekly brush pickup numbers have risen to an average of 80 per week.
With hurricane season approaching, staff is working on cleanup contracts and locating generators if needed. Budget season also is here, with work beginning with staff to start building the upcoming budget. Budget workshop dates are set for July 15-16.The city is planning an event in mid-July for small electronics drop-off and shredding, with more details to come.
City Finance Director Valerie Callaway said that the city opened 28 new water accounts, closed 12 accounts and transferred four accounts since the last meeting. The finance department closed the month and has prepared the financial information for budget planning. The monthly sales tax for April has been processed and paid (solid waste sales) with a total sales figure of $86,599 and sales tax paid of $6,930.49. The ad valorem tax received from April 1-30 was $14,525.78.
Callaway and Broz both noted that things are coming along well for the City of Edna’s First Annual Flag City Celebration, set for Sat., June 13. Planning meetings are open to the public and will be at 5 p.m. each Tuesday at City Hall.
City Streets Supervisor Andy Brzozowski said that crews havedisposed of limbs cut by AEP; participated in the weeklong city cleanup; installed new end-of-road barricades at Fannin Street, S. Kleas Street, and Menefee Street; mowed the Allen Street sidewalks; and cleared drains of leaves and debris.
Public Works Director Brad Ryan said that crews mowed and sprayed the sewer plant and lift stations; replaced a check valve at the W. Main Lift Station; pulled pump #2 at the plant and cleaned the rags and debris; cleaned the clarifier; made sludge boxes at the plant; marked water and sewer lines for the AEP pole replacements; repaired a water leak on Sayles Street; and worked with contractors on Division Street tying in new water lines.
City Police Chief Kenneth Pyle said that the Edna Police Department over the past two weeks has conducted 103 traffic stops; written 39 citations and 103 warnings; made seven arrests; and responded to 436 calls for service, 51 reportable offenses, and eight crash reports.
During the Public Comments section, Pyle introduced new hospital resource officer Jared Pereira to the council. Pereira had previously worked for two and a half years at the Harris County Constables Office. He is a graduate of the University of Houston Downtown Police Academy and holds a basic peace officers license and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance.
Pyle also said that Unit 660’s transmission fluid and additive were replaced for $373.08, but that the vehicle may need more extensive transmission work in the next year. Units 671 and 672 received wire replacements, and Unit 670’s DVR crashed and was replaced, for a total of $550.
The department has submitted the final response for the CJIS audit. Pyle and Sheriff Rick Boone met with interim Edna ISD Superintendent Bill Boyd to discuss training this summer at the schools. Pyle attended the Operation Lone Star Task Force meeting in Beeville on April 30. Officers participated in the Reality Check program with local students, which Pyle said was very successful, with some great questions asked.
The department also conducted a sting operation with a 27-year-old male subject from El Campo who thought he was messaging a 15-year-old juvenile. Pyle said the investigation is ongoing.
City Parks Supervisor/Code Enforcement Jaime Liepe reported that code enforcement has 23 open cases currently, with six of those on the demolition list. Seven letters have been sent out to appear in court for non-compliance. They’ve been working on some older cases that have not complied.
The next city council meeting is set for 6 p.m., Thur., May 21 at City Hall.