NEWS BRIEFS
Tomball approves purchase of water, gas meters
Master plan in the works for trail system
BY CHANDLER FRANCE
city is paying for the replacement using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which allotted $350 billion for federal COVID-19 relief. Tomball will receive $2.92 million from the ARPA, half of which the city has received, City Manager David Esquivel said. Jones said Jan. 3 the replace- ments are necessary because of recent failures with the water system and expected growth. Jones said there are 1,200 meters that need to be read manually with 100 more meters failing a month. “When our staff is having to [read meters] independently, [they’re] performing that task when they could be mowing or doing sewer checks or things of that nature,” said Public Works Director Adam Ballesteros, who took over Jones’ role, at the Jan. 17 meeting. Assistant City Manager Jessica Rogers said Jan. 17 there are about 4,700 meters and transmitters that will be replaced.
BOOMING CONSTRUCTION Home construction is taking off in Tomball, creating a need for more water meters, city officials said.
BY ANNA LOTZ
Tomball City Council approved purchasing additional water and gas meters and transmitters Jan. 3 in anticipation of growth projected for 2022. In total, the new meters and transmitters will cost the city more than $783,000. Former Public Works Director Beth Jones, whose last day with the city was Jan. 7, said the city had originally budgeted funds for meters for about 300 new homes this year, but the city is now projecting about 1,300 homes. “We saw some of this on the horizon. We didn’t see all of this on the horizon,” Jones said. Jones said city staff recommended purchasing all of the new meters and transmitters at once due to supply chain issues causing up to 52-week delays. City Council also approved the replacement of all existing water meters and transmitters Jan. 17, totaling more than $1.7 million. The
The Lone Star Hiking Trail Club has been tasked by the Sam Houston Trails Coalition to lead a master plan update for the trail system in the SamHouston National Forest. Public meetings were held throughout December and January for residents to weigh in on trail improvements, said Karl Van Scyoc, the president of the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club. According to Van Scyoc, the Lone Star Hiking Trail system includes approximately 128 miles of hiker-only trails. Van Scyoc said input received relates to managing trail use, improving access for hikers, providing more amenities, better serving hikers with disabilities, adding trails and preserving the environment. “We’re trying to figure out how best to adapt the trail system for population growth,” he said.
The city of Tomball is projecting 1,300 newhomes will be constructed in 2022.
The city originally budgetedwater meters for about 300 newhomes this year.
Council members approved $783,000 on Jan. 3 for additional water and gas meters.
Council members approved $1.7million in federal relief funds Jan. 17 for replacing 4,700meters .
SOURCE: CITY OF TOMBALL/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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