[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271323,"mediaKeyId","3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec","parentId",3029231,"title","Alpine staff weigh third‑party utility managers and AMI smart‑meter pilot amid staffing and infrastructure strain","audioSeconds",979,"startMs",3688000,"endMs",4667000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec&start=3688&end=4667","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271323/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Alpine-staff-weigh-thirdparty-utility-managers-and-AMI-smartmeter-pilot-amid-staffing-and-infrastructure-strain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271323-af6c5164dcbf203eee3eb2eaa248446c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168648&Signature=mtF8bxqdNKgWTnybElUlAePgP4MoonaVIBxkUHrS07J3EJ2s9x~foENJeFCa4jAbLTBlWBe541MftKvZjX8b52GmazSYXeFif6h9CZ5L6ae03F3sXqsxRYe5ynJENhRJ3TSNISHMntlQOaBwFgCOVLm5pmPYbTck49bj2qXacRcx3PqcNKWqIWjtgm36CxPssEdCltv8SQ3Z5S-G7JeOleLnFqmvZ9WoW9UslxoUgh2yaMX7WOUR3KJjceEfYu1Ncvoal5105ygZqqpQbhNdEPCSdjE3TbGwvh6lI-97H~yJdWvXByogT3qaYhoGb0LKuzf7i5pvnhuG4ibthkdfYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Alpine, Texas","date","2025-04-17T00:59:00.963Z","article","City Manager Megan told the Alpine City Council on April 16 that staff is pursuing two short‑term strategies to address capacity and data issues in the city utilities department: (1) contracting interim, third‑party management or licensed operators and (2) piloting advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve meter reads and detect leaks.

On interim management, the city solicited information from SRG (which offered interim staffing), US Water (used previously by the city) and Water Workforce. Megan said SRG provided three candidate resumes and one candidate (Mr. Harris) appeared to have the right small‑town experience; staff planned to interview him. Council members asked about costs: past contracts with third‑party providers included salaries, travel and housing. Megan estimated contract lengths of 3–8 months and said historical total costs varied; council members urged caution about high per‑month figures and suggested negotiating options such as higher salary but no housing allowance so that the contractor would find local housing.

On AMI, staff reported that about 85–90% of the city’s meters are Master Meter brand, which integrates with Premier Water Works. Master Meter offered a propagation study at no cost and proposed a pilot that would install a base station and repeaters, a small number of meter communication attachments and provide customer portal access. The initial setup proposal cited a one‑time set‑up cost of roughly $27,797 plus per‑meter attachments (roughly $335 for a typical residential 3/4\" device); the full system for all city meters was estimated in conversation at roughly $800,000–$1.2 million depending on commercial meters and base station/repeater needs.

Council members discussed scale and sequencing. Some suggested a larger pilot (beyond council members’ handful of meters) to ensure representative results and requested vendor references; staff said Premier has worked with nearby cities and would provide references and that the company can phase the rollout. Staff recommended a pilot that places meters across wards and includes several commercial accounts so the council can evaluate data access, customer portal features, and operational impacts. Council members emphasized training staff so future installations can be performed locally rather than relying on outside contractors for every deployment.

The council asked staff to pursue interviews with SRG candidates and to obtain a formal written proposal from US Water, and to return with a detailed AMI pilot plan that includes base station placement, repeater counts and a proposed list of pilot addresses before any larger expenditure is authorized.

Ending: Staff to schedule candidate interviews, request formal proposals, run vendor reference checks and prepare an AMI pilot plan with cost estimates and implementation milestones for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The city manager presented options to contract interim utility management and a pilot proposal for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Council and staff discussed candidate screening, housing costs for interim managers, and a small AMI pilot to test base station coverage and customer portals.","taxTitle","Alpine , Brewster County, Texas","taxId",55416,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271328,"Residents press Alpine council to deny one STR permit as city explains recurring sewer backups",1942,270000,2212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec&start=270&end=2212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6271328/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Residents-press-Alpine-council-to-deny-one-STR-permit-as-city-explains-recurring-sewer-backups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271328-f5fbd2976e8da9d1fddec3c3799f0480/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168648&Signature=aiZDLEDkdsui~wVmP6Z10SSrhn2Mc5M00tRQbciU39Cou7QHTETEaMXJN5nULinFmyMf6kl45QxAZLGDADH8LgwcMlp4xSpAlJIYfGOnCEoer711KVtDFvo8MBovGpcsauf64wDSrgdf2DUVGTrrDi3-YpEuGEPcx--hWiOhBiScKUNEzs7BahP8vw5GKn119IC2HzxnarURDh7~58KKp5mij~iGKOG64vVYsVwPdclK3~9B4Oi4hlRCvekH8URwIbmrQj-05XNzBq3PzKMCxYDDUbczY2SWwwS63DrEDyo25JDTNFC2nr2sGAEw~7ggwxmHgAZCDC3BD-IV1JkCqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents told the Alpine City Council on April 16 that short‑term rentals (STRs) are disrupting neighborhood life, and one speaker urged denial of a specific permit at 405 West Avenue E.

Shelley Atwood, who identified herself as a Ward 4 resident, asked the council to \"deny the special use permit for 405 West Avenue E, which seeks to keep operating as a short term rental.\" Atwood said since the property became an STR her neighborhood has experienced repeated sewer backups, a severed gas line during repair work and late‑night noise that has required police calls. \"This STR brings sewer backups, noise, and risks, eroding Alpine's charm,\" she told the council.

City staff and council discussed sewer issues during the agenda. Interim utility staff (identified in the meeting as Johnny and described in presentations as interim utility leadership) explained that the city's system is gravity‑fed and that recent backups have stemmed from a combination of sources — grease, wipes/paper products, tree roots, and other inappropriate items entering the mains — rather than a single property. Staff described mechanical responses (jetting lines, using metal rods to remove blockages and root‑cutting attachments), preventive maintenance (degreasers and acid treatments) and a planned public‑education PSA showing items pulled from the system.

Council debated possible municipal responses to STR impacts. Council Member Stevens suggested targeted outreach to STR owners and a dedicated one‑page flyer landlords could post inside units to inform guests what not to flush and other rules. He also raised the possibility of permitting changes in the future, such as non‑owner‑occupied limits, higher fees or additional safety standards. City Manager Megan said the city would circulate the PSA to STR owners and businesses and that utility crews would continue preventive work.

Despite the resident testimony, the council voted unanimously to approve special use permit 2025-04-02 (405 West Avenue E) as part of the consent agenda after removing items for separate discussion and addressing sewer concerns on the record. Multiple additional STR permits on the consent agenda were also approved; the City Secretary recorded the consent agenda passage and the separate vote on the removed items.

Ending: Staff said it will distribute a public education campaign on proper disposal practices to STR owners and operators and will continue infrastructure maintenance; the council did not change the permit decision at this meeting.","Residents urged the council to deny a special use permit for a short‑term rental at 405 West Avenue E over repeated sewer backups, noise and safety concerns. The council approved the permit as part of its consent agenda after discussion; city staff explained sewer-clog causes and planned public education.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271333,"Alpine council advances pool rule requiring unaccompanied minors be at least 13; residents urged lower minimum",6328,92000,6420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec&start=92&end=6420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6271333/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Alpine-council-advances-pool-rule-requiring-unaccompanied-minors-be-at-least-13-residents-urged-lower-minimum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271333-dba717ec2645b1a866a194737f3d9c8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168648&Signature=NePWkSRz5PZ69sPiYmzrINiV6rb6sF1iovjQeVlu4wgdMw5oeIic0J~3wNqtcrsdrxSabBjVSmCECHPCNRroqcftsiU37~sossZtFBYv9D7NLak8b66IheSsbp~cOoe47~qmEJoZsDrF57JG3hXvwsucw0vV2rtRz5a5fABHf1~NaPc9wU9RS4g-MU1MFbbvpjYkvz6edlbSGySLHFWLmfBV2ZK14XK~sTKC82w4wLo451CyGCoF9zl4hkic149Wy8Bm1DIOP61y0INWO6LD5w1PPZUBASm6m~hE26kXZzGXscQyvTVwWCf9GiuEvnpjjAz8xU0Fs-VDhiur71c71A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpine City Council on April 16 approved the first reading of an ordinance that would require unaccompanied minors at the Alpine Municipal Swimming Pool to be at least 13 years old.

Austin Smith of Ward 1, speaking during public comment, urged the council to set a younger minimum. \"I think that 13 is much too high, and I would ask that you consider 8 or 9,\" said Austin Smith. He told the council that younger children often responsibly use public pools and that raising the age could disproportionately limit access for children of working families.

City staff and council members debated enforcement options and the effect on lifeguards. City Manager Megan noted the Parks and Recreation Board recommended updates including the age change and other rules such as banning vaping and clarifying glass containers. Council members raised practical questions about identification for minors and how lifeguards—often teenagers themselves—would enforce the rule. Council Member Stone asked how the city would verify a child's age; City Manager Megan said the board had discussed using school IDs as a near-term option.

Council Member Stevens, who said he sympathized with both safety and parents' independence, described a tension between requiring lifeguards to police behavior and protecting the safety of younger patrons. Several council members suggested adding operational steps—such as waivers, season passes with markings or a clearer lifeguard guidance policy—before the ordinance’s second reading.

The council voted unanimously on first reading; the ordinance will return for a second reading where council members said they expect to refine enforcement details. No final change to the ordinance's minimum age will take effect until the second and final reading is adopted.

Ending: Staff was directed to work with the Parks and Recreation Board and pool staff to develop practical verification and enforcement procedures for council consideration at the next reading.","The City Council gave first reading to an ordinance changing Alpine Municipal Pool rules so unaccompanied minors must be at least 13. A Ward 1 resident urged the council to lower the age to 8 or 9 and council members discussed enforcement and ID options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271338,"Votes at a glance: Alpine council approves alcohol rules, street sales and several permits; drug grant splits council",1620,5520000,7140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec&start=5520&end=7140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029231-865c61c3fc07551766dbec1a654df7ec/thumbnail_5520000.jpg","/articles/6271338/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Alpine-council-approves-alcohol-rules-street-sales-and-several-permits-drug-grant-splits-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271338-465802386a8ff4475796f7e10fafc445/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168648&Signature=VTAixeRLtvZjG0hzTS7ckgmw0rL7LQfg8Tcl1zaINhlWX-X6x~KWO6pkZKdL~VZGzH5pnz-QYVmLwRM7OYpDknsMgoBF06xMAu14uHZZ4UT0EPZJaphdJPExelF~k8lOiiJ3-TgB9gj8JiyFid66UyRxNR1mjt3DISZ-YnrNco1d3ihhQl~uKcn2H1QZfGImwCMlKX~y4NQbmT0UjkCM4bYt-ycWrk5-lkxMnu2gT~Tpqj3uRzjbMub-vYg-RGMOOWORQIiLe2-av~wbmxSzpddpVc4VTuHAkuKuFFTUP3BsxHcDkBS7GigmDF90l8Uw-mmWduRJapw4kGeYw2scnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alpine City Council members approved a package of ordinances, permits and agreements at their April 16 regular meeting, including a final reading of new rules on alcohol sales, the sale of unimproved street parcels, multiple short‑term rental special use permits and acceptance of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant.

The council unanimously approved the second and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the city code to establish regulations and zoning restrictions for the sale of alcohol inside city limits and to authorize penalties up to $500 per occurrence. Mayor Catherine Eames presided; the City Secretary read the motion and recorded the unanimous vote.

The council also approved a second and final reading of an ordinance authorizing the dedication, abandonment and sale of unimproved portions of Saltillo, Monterey, Toluca and Morillas avenues (Ordinance 2025-04-04) to applicants Michael and Lynn McCarson; the city manager said the appraised value was adjusted to $27,587.20 before the sale and the council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

As part of the consent agenda the council approved multiple special use permits allowing short‑term rentals (STRs) at several addresses (including permit 2025-04-02 for 405 West Avenue E). The consent agenda passed unanimously after council removed two items (investment report and one special use permit) for separate discussion and vote; the City Secretary recorded the unanimous approval with Council Member Evan Martinez absent.

On grants and agreements, the council approved a HIDTA award for fiscal year 2026. The council voted 3–1 to accept the $259,000 HIDTA allocation, with Council Member Stone voting against and Council Members Stevens, Escobedo and Nance voting in favor; Council Member Martinez was absent. The City Manager said one of three positions originally budgeted in prior planning was being reallocated and that city staff was coordinating with DEA on how to use the funds.

The council unanimously approved the 2025 tax collection agreement with the Brewster County Tax Office and accepted the municipal investment report. The council also approved the first reading of a new swimming pool ordinance (City code Chapter 74 updates) and adopted a swimming pool fee schedule by resolution; the pool ordinance passed first reading unanimously.

Votes recorded by the City Secretary at the meeting matched the motions as presented in the agenda and in the minutes.

Ending: Council members set follow-up items including tracking implementation steps for the approved streets sale and coordination on HIDTA fund reallocations; no additional formal votes were taken after the meeting’s executive session.","The Alpine City Council on April 16 approved an ordinance regulating alcohol sales, voted to sell unimproved street parcels, approved multiple short-term rental special use permits and accepted a federal drug-fighting grant that drew one dissenting vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alpine staff weigh third‑party utility managers and AMI smart‑meter pilot amid staffing and infrastructure strain

Residents press Alpine council to deny one STR permit as city explains recurring sewer backups

Alpine council advances pool rule requiring unaccompanied minors be at least 13; residents urged lower minimum

Votes at a glance: Alpine council approves alcohol rules, street sales and several permits; drug grant splits council