Angerstein updates council on projects

CROCKETT – At the regular Crockett City Council meeting on Monday, Feb, 7, City Administrator John Angerstein updated members on the progress of city projects. Angerstein reported that they were working in concert with the Texas Water Development Board, putting in 8-inch water mains on East Goliad and East Houston to replace the current four-inch lines. These lines will serve the streets from Loop 304 to the downtown square. Angerstein noted that when the Texas Water Development board approves their surveys, the city can begin to take bids on the work. Angerstein also warned that the project involves significant construction and road closures, but the end result will be a substantial improvement in the water system. Angerstein reassured that temporary water lines would be installed for residents’ homes while work is in progress.

Regarding South Fifth Street, Angerstein reported that the city had an engineer come in and do soil testing to try and determine what was causing the road damage on Texas Street from the entrance to the Early Childhood Center all the way down to the Loop. “We are under performance bonding, so if there’s something that goes wrong, they will fix it, they will address it. Under bonding, they will pay for the complete repair of it.” Angersteins said that they block the whole street off. “It [road] had gotten so bad,” Angerstein stated, that it has at least twelve-inch lifts in it. And one-inch to two-inch cracks down the middle of the road. It’s a disaster zone.”

Angerstein said that the engineers believe the problem is due to high sulfur content, resulting in the adverse reaction to the road base. He also reported that the surveying had been completed on the streets chosen by the city council members for repair, and bids would be completed in the next couple of months with hopes to begin construction on those streets this summer.

“The new swimming pool is currently in the bidding process,” stated Angerstein. “We changed a couple of design elements on the pool to help lower the cost.” Some of the work removed from the initial bid done by contractors from Houston will be done by local companies, such as the concrete deck, fencing, and lighting. “I feel confident we can get better pricing by local contractors.” Angerstein stated that he expected a mid-summer completion date.

The South Pine Animal Hospital notified Angerstein that they expect to be completely out of their current building by March. “That will allow us to gain access,” said Angerstein, “and begin addressing needs to get our animal shelter open.”

Angerstein also reported that they are continuing to work on the Main Street application as well as the downtown strategic plan. He has reached out to a planning consultant firm out of Tyler to get another proposal and see what they can offer compared to Downtown Strategies, who presented the last submission.

After further discussion about roads, water lines, and drainage, Angerstein reported that work had begun on the IT Williams Park pavilion, and a new roof was being built over the bathrooms. He also told the group that the city has about $12M in construction projects in the works this year.

Council voted to reassign the fire station as a polling location and designate the St. Francis Parish Hall, located at 609 S. Fourth Street, for the May Uniform Election held on May 6 and all future elections. Also approved was the resolution calling for the regular election of Precinct 1 and 2 council members and the office of mayor for the City of Crockett. Approval was also given to the joint election agreement between the Crockett Independent School District and City.

The council moved on to tackle the subject of repairs. Members looked over bids for the repair work to be performed on the roof and gutters of the city hall, the public library, and the civic center office. While other outside bids were marginally lower, the council chose to use local contractors Lucus Roofing and Shoemake Welding and Roofing for the renovations.