Anahuac seeks to move elections

ANAHUAC— City council met last week, discussing changing the election schedule, as well as the sewer plant and adding a full-time code enforcement/animal control official.

Anahuac City Council met on Monday, Jan. 12, where council approved contacting the state representative to change the city election from May to November.

The conversation came about after Anahuac Independent School District recently voted to move elections from May to November, as did the Chambers County Public Hospital District No. 1.

Those moves were made after recent legislation was passed that allowed the move, however it did not allow the city the same luxury, which would allow for sharing of expenses by the different entities.

City Attorney Richard Baker explained the finer details of why the city would need to contact the legislature, noting the type of government the city is labeled as prevents the municipality from changing the date of the election.

Baker explained that the state representative or senator could sponsor a bill that would allow the city to change the election date.

The water treatment plant improvement project continues, as crews work quickly now that the plant is shut down, according to Jeff Scroggins with LJA Engineering.

Scroggins added that crews are trying to stay ahead of schedule to avoid potential delays in the project.

Work is contracted to be completed within six months from the date the plant was shut down, and a heavy fine is set if the work exceeds that timeframe.

Scroggins also discussed adding a boost pump to the sewer plant per requirements by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Scroggins explained that TCEQ is pushing for wastewater plants to operate on non-potable water, which is non-drinking water.

Additionally, snails and bloodworms are clogging the plant’s filters, which is restricting flow in the chlorinators.

The plant needs to operate at a higher pressure, and since the 2-inch waterline can’t support the larger plant, the city can either install a new pump or install the boost pump.

There was a discussion regarding the cost of operating on non-potable versus potable water, brought on by Alderman Nathan Trahan, which Scroggins said he would look into.

As for the Trinity Bay Conservation District water purchases, City Administrator Kenneth Kathan said the city has spent $45,000 so far, but the number was “well under projected” and usage levels are decreasing.

The city amended its floodplain ordinance to align with the county’s regulations.

If a structure is being built in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain, the structure should be built 2 feet higher, where the ordinance previously stated 1-foot.

Baker said the ordinance change shouldn’t affect much of Anahuac, if any.

Council had a lengthy discussion on changing the part-time role of code enforcement/animal control to a full-time position.

Currently, Amber Ayres is the code enforcement/animal control official, and Kadence Leavins assists in a part-time capacity.

What brought on the conversation was Ayres’ workload, as she has multiple ongoing cases as the code enforcement official, and she is always on call as the animal control official.

Baker and City Secretary Julie Harvill both noted it’s difficult for one person to handle the number of cases Ayres has, with Harvill noting Ayres has 44 open violations and 13 ongoing cases.

Trahan also noted the city’s growth, saying it could be an advantage to have a second code enforcement official trained.

“We might be early, but I don’t think we’ll be wrong trying to get a second person in,” Trahan said.

Mayor Pro Tem Janice Jircik and Alderman Nathan Trahan discussed that the biggest cost factor in creating the full-time position would be insurance.

After a bit of discussion, the council decided to bring the item back during a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

During that meeting, the council will also discuss the boost pump and amending an ordinance.