[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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",[32,74],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6518238,"mediaKeyId","5397383-9347865a93036d520060e64204e64518","parentId",5397383,"title","Victoria council forms investigative committee after TCEQ-flagged water failure; city weighs fast-tracking SCADA upgrade","audioSeconds",5879,"startMs",231000,"endMs",6110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397383-9347865a93036d520060e64204e64518&start=231&end=6110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397383-9347865a93036d520060e64204e64518/thumbnail_231000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518238/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Victoria-council-forms-investigative-committee-after-TCEQ-flagged-water-failure-city-weighs-fast-tracking-SCADA-upgrade","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518238-9dae249921f118c99ecad624f92f9b32/orig.mp4?Expires=1774416427&Signature=Cg9e6ArMUYSCsCazv1e44GA9kr17zzwF4NVqVV~YHKAEpKhQtY5lpM04MuViMHayjhcv9PncGzsbgeW9OJn1d-lPsBbOU5k9S0bCMWhh6PpAbQlBG09nklN8XHcdMinSVS2~lLS9wpY1fn6xNZOo6VKYdxVu7CtVZe1jktdRifAAtLm6fV8yUQFmbMWOyM~Z0n5~R~Md87mO2DKKH5nv02-jPFRYyGBQYLi23Kfs3fk6Uz8cwVQjfa7Sf8bquPakI~30F25~yYRTPKDkaR9Q9N0zOd-ESTGBl~rHZXoY8StDH0uYfhP10sxpXHJQgb7zkKxb72OrIg3NJ4qg4A5-bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T21:40:08Z","article","Mayor Crocker announced a council committee on the evening of the meeting to investigate a recent water-quality failure flagged by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), saying the incident “was unacceptable and it demands a thorough review and accounting.” The committee will be chaired by Crocker and include Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Andrew Young and Councilwoman Jan Scott.

City Manager Jesus Garza gave a detailed, timeline-focused briefing on the response, saying TCEQ was on site July 8 after tests at a single intersection showed low chlorine residuals. Garza said staff first attempted a localized flush, then a systemwide flush when the localized measure failed to restore the required chlorine residual within the 24-hour period TCEQ commonly allows. When those measures did not fully resolve the residual issue, staff moved up the utility’s scheduled annual chlorine conversion and began that work on Saturday; Garza said the conversion restored residuals and that bacteria samples — 16 sites chosen in consultation with TCEQ, 13 of them between Mockingbird and Red River — require 24 hours to incubate. Garza said the city expected results by 7 p.m. the night of the meeting and that those results would determine whether the boil-water notice could be rescinded.

Why it matters: The council framed the episode as a public-safety and public‑trust issue. The committee will examine technical, operational and organizational causes; the city is also weighing near-term steps to reduce the risk of future failures, including technology upgrades and revised oversight.

What city staff said and did

- Responsibility: Garza said he “takes full responsibility as city manager” for any preventable elements of the incident and for ensuring city services meet professional standards.

- Testing and remedies: Garza described the sequence as TCEQ on-site July 8, an initial localized flush that was ultimately insufficient, two overnight systemwide flushes (two towers each night), and an accelerated chlorine conversion that began the Saturday after TCEQ’s involvement. He said staff followed TCEQ notification requirements and sampling protocols; the bacterial test set selected by staff and TCEQ covered 16 sample points and required roughly 24 hours to yield results.

- Localized geometry: Garza said the problem originated in the low-pressure service plane — the area he described as “below Mockingbird” — and that the city asked but was not permitted by TCEQ to issue a boil-water notice limited only to that plane because the agency treated the system as interconnected.

- Communications and support: Garza said the city used traditional media, social media, live press briefings and the Everbridge mass-notification system (the city’s Alert Center) to reach more than 23,000 subscribers. He described outreach to hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers via the Office of Emergency Management and the STRAC medical network.

- Utility rebate implemented: Garza described a $10 credit the city applied broadly to utility accounts to offset the disruption. He said the figure was derived from combining water and sewer base rates and rounding to approximate one week’s proportionate charge; applying the credit across accounts was estimated at about $234,000.

SCADA and capital‑funding discussion

City staff and several council members discussed prioritizing a long-planned SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) modernization that monitors and controls water and wastewater systems. Garza said the current SCADA components date to about 2001, are out of date and do not provide the monitoring or cybersecurity protections of modern systems. He said a full replacement for both water and sewer SCADA systems was in the range of $6 million, with the water portion roughly $3.6 million.

The city has an outstanding CDBG-MIT (Community Development Block Grant — Mitigation) application that included SCADA among several projects tied to Hurricane Harvey mitigation funding administered through the regional planning commission and the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Garza said the CDBG-MIT approval process has been slow and that grant-pricing estimates are now two years old; those remaining projects (an influent screen replacement and a drainage project) may also rise in cost. To accelerate SCADA work now, staff proposed two options: (1) press the GLO and elected officials to finalize the existing CDBG-MIT awards quickly; or (2) reprioritize the city’s local match and Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation (VSTDC) commitments in the fiscal‑year 2026 budget to free roughly $2 million already set aside and stretch VSTDC contributions to the community center project over a longer period to cover the remaining SCADA cost.

Garza said staff is not asking council to decide that funding reallocation at the meeting but presented it as an option to consider if council wants to accelerate a SCADA replacement rather than waiting on federal/state grant disbursements.

What the council decided (and what remains under discussion)

- Committee: Mayor Crocker announced the formation of a council investigative committee (chair Crocker; members Dr. Andrew Young and Jan Scott). The announcement constituted an official formation of the committee; no formal vote was recorded for the committee’s creation during this meeting.

- Rebate: Garza reported the city had applied the $10 rebate across accounts; he characterized the decision as done under the constraints of his office, explaining he had to justify the expenditure and that it was structured to fit within the adopted budget.

- SCADA: Council received the reprioritization option; no binding budget reallocation or contract award was made at this meeting. Garza asked council to consider coordinating a “full court press” with state elected officials to expedite remaining grant approvals from the GLO while staff develops a local funding fallback.

Public‑health update

At the end of the discussion Garza said the 24‑hour bacterial tests had come back and, “I’m happy to report that, we received the test back from the health department, and as expected, all is good.” He said staff planned to issue a public notice based on those results. (Transcript excerpt: Garza announcement about test results and pending press release.)

Clarifying details

- TCEQ on site: July 8 (staff confirmed).
- Sampling: 16 sample sites; 13 were between Mockingbird and Red River (city staff/TCEQ selection for coverage of the affected low-pressure plane).
- Utility rebate: $10 per account applied citywide; estimated total cost about $234,000.
- SCADA cost estimates: roughly $6,000,000 to replace water and sewer SCADA; ~$3,600,000 for the water portion alone (city planning estimate).

What the committee will examine (as announced)

- Full timeline reconstruction of the events and response.
- Review of treatment protocols, equipment performance and infrastructure condition.
- Oversight and accountability measures, including staffing, training and technology gaps.
- Feasibility and timing of a SCADA modernization and other monitoring upgrades.

Speakers quoted (first reference includes title)

- Mayor Crocker, Mayor of the City of Victoria: “this incident with our water supply was unacceptable and it demands a thorough review and accounting.”
- Jesus Garza, City Manager: “I take full responsibility as city manager for any element of this that might have been preventable.”
- Jesus Garza, City Manager (on test results): “I’m happy to report that, we received the test back from the health department, and as expected, all is good.”

Ending

Council directed staff to continue updates and to provide the committee’s findings and recommendations to the public when available. Garza said staff will return with more detail on potential budget impacts and timelines if council opts to accelerate SCADA funding rather than waiting for federal/state grant disbursements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Victoria City Council Meeting - 7/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Crocker announced a council committee to investigate a recent water-quality failure flagged by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; City Manager Jesus Garza presented a confirmed timeline of testing, flushing and a chlorine conversion and outlined options to accelerate a long‑planned SCADA upgrade.","taxTitle","Victoria City, Victoria County, Texas","taxId",9266,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6518233,"Votes at a glance: Council approves East Dayton vacation, short-term rental vehicle tax, consent agenda and Meadowlene Park grant application",1207,3416000,4623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397383-9347865a93036d520060e64204e64518&start=3416&end=4623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397383-9347865a93036d520060e64204e64518/thumbnail_3416000.jpg","/articles/6518233/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-East-Dayton-vacation-short-term-rental-vehicle-tax-consent-agenda-and-Meadowlene-Park-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518233-a960322363d6e70fa9f3c6a075364f56/orig.mp4?Expires=1774416427&Signature=d5sIf2IYclkcGbcyM1lZI5dIIStypFeDxgIgdbYyJnTzUg-KrnfZqcm5h~nLsyNmSz5-8tYgZpodhT65-wDTT2bIZJjBKIgLynvN6IWdIFT~m~~BWROTizRdzeDBoPMTKzLfqkfeOtxaTYZfTH7pvdCtyiyXT83KwqRjQxfeChhfSHReBkVOhJHFgRO9VwMnAHBjcMmQJKX96Ui-5FN-4SvmmCdb173DQKP0p2IT-1QYP83ka2yF1Q~ZIf3a3eWL0naJnZ1bdv3CuKzBcNvisKiQMqT3ou7xwnwOsCd0VWDn402w3JVs8e9UKs0hRLfz6Wm2ywgtUktpBqWpJzcZ5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Victoria City Council took several formal actions during the meeting, including adoption of two ordinances, approval of a multi-item consent agenda and authorization for a parks grant application.

Key votes and outcomes (at a glance)

- East Dayton right-of-way abandonment (Item C‑1): Council approved an ordinance vacating, closing and abandoning 0.13 acres of public right-of-way known as East Dayton Avenue between Block 164 and Block 165 in the original townsite, following a petition from 100% of adjoining landowners. City planning staff (Miss Fulgham) recommended approval and noted the applicant, Moore Legacy Investments, has submitted a preliminary plat to replat the abandoned land into eight patio-home lots and one mixed-use lot. Motion to approve was moved and seconded on the record; the council vote was recorded as a voice vote and the item was approved.

- Short-term motor vehicle rental tax ordinance (Item C‑2): Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 8 (Finance and Taxation) to add a short-term motor vehicle rental tax. The 5% tax, approved by voters in May, will take effect Oct. 1 and is designated to fund the approved venue project. Finance staff (Miss Lacey) explained that the article is required by state law to carry its own provisions; no public opposition spoke during the hearing and the ordinance was adopted by council vote.

- Consent agenda (Item D): Council approved the consent agenda, which included: adoption of minutes for the June special meeting and the July 1 regular meeting; a resolution to contract with Harrison Waldrop & New Herrick LLP for the annual audit not to exceed $53,500; resolutions approving the Victoria Exchange and Cinemark projects for the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation; renewals of supply contracts for sodium hypochlorite, ammonium sulfate, sulfur dioxide and wastewater polymer (aggregate amounts listed in agenda); and an agreement with Infiniti Communications Technologies, Inc. for a cellular distributed antenna system at public safety headquarters not to exceed $122,300. The motion to approve the full consent agenda carried on a voice vote.

- Meadowlene Park grant application (Item E‑1): Council adopted a resolution authorizing application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Local Parks Grant Program for Meadowlene Park improvements. The estimated total project cost is $650,000, requiring a city match of $325,000 (50/50 cost share). Parks staff (Miss Conley) described proposed improvements: ADA sidewalks and ramps, a concrete path, refurbished basketball court, new play equipment and swing set, shaded seating, upgraded picnic facilities, limited lighting, a privacy fence and landscaping. TPWD award announcements are expected January 2026; construction could begin as early as summer/early fall 2026 if awarded.

Procedure notes and attribution

- Public hearings were opened for Items C‑1 and C‑2; no members of the public spoke on those items during the hearings.
- Motions and seconds were made on the record for each ordinance and the consent agenda; roll-call tallies were not read aloud in the transcript excerpt, and council approved each item by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

Speakers and staff who presented these items

- Miss Fulgham, Development Services (presented Item C‑1)
- Miss Lacey, Finance (presented Item C‑2)
- Miss Hilberg (read the consent items)
- Miss Conley, Parks (presented Item E‑1)

Authorities referenced

- City ordinance: Chapter 8 (Finance and Taxation), amendment to add short-term motor vehicle rental tax (Item C‑2) — adopted by council.
- Grant program: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Local Parks Grant Program (Item E‑1) — application authorized by council.

Provenance (transcript excerpts)

- C‑1 and public hearing: transcript blocks beginning at 00:48:06 (Item C‑1 description) through the motion and approval at ~00:49:52.
- C‑2: presentation and adoption recorded between ~00:49:56 and ~00:56:55.
- Consent agenda D: read and adopted between ~00:56:56 and ~01:03:53.
- E‑1 Meadowlene Park: presentation and approval between ~01:03:54 and ~01:17:03.

What this means for residents

- The East Dayton abandonment clears a path for a private replat and expected patio‑home and mixed‑use development where property owners petitioned for the vacation.
- The short‑term vehicle rental tax will begin Oct. 1 and is intended for the voter‑approved venue project; staff will implement administrative steps to collect and remit the tax. Residents will not see immediate tax-rate changes on property tax because this is a dedicated sales‑type tax on short‑term vehicle rentals.
- If TPWD awards Meadowlene Park funding, residents in the neighborhood can expect park upgrades beginning as early as summer 2026, subject to contract and schedule.

If council or staff later provide a certified roll-call vote record for any item, that record should be used for formal minutes and archival purposes.","Council approved an ordinance to vacate a 0.13-acre public right-of-way, adopted a 5% short-term motor vehicle rental tax to fund a voter-approved venue project, approved the consent agenda of contracts and renewals, and authorized application for a TPWD local parks grant for Meadowlene Park.","actionData","errors"]

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Victoria council forms investigative committee after TCEQ-flagged water failure; city weighs fast-tracking SCADA upgrade

Votes at a glance: Council approves East Dayton vacation, short-term rental vehicle tax, consent agenda and Meadowlene Park grant application