Council members heard two technology items that would affect public safety and emergency communication.
High‑water detection sites: Staff described the town’s existing high‑water or low‑water crossing detection network — six locations with 12 flashers — installed under a county/town arrangement years earlier. A contractor used by Bexar County offered a maintenance package for $9,300 per year for an annual visit and a $2,700 contingency for repairs and additional visits. Staff said the company quoted bucket‑truck charges and mileages in the estimate and that, while some simple elements (batteries, solar panels) could be handled in‑house, sensor calibration and complex repairs are specialized. Council members questioned continuing the program because many said Hollywood Park’s crossings rarely present the same hazard as major urban floodways; others noted a liability risk if devices are not maintained or are left broken while the town has them installed.
Townwide emergency notification (UpAhead): Staff also described a different proposal for a town‑specific emergency notification system (vendor example: UpAhead). The system would allow residents to opt in (QR code signup) to receive emergency alerts via text, email or phone and would let staff send targeted alerts to specific streets or broader messages. The vendor’s quote in the packet included an initial setup fee (~$1,900) and a subscription fee (~$400 per month) and an overall first‑year cost that staff estimated near $6,800 after an initial discount. The mayor and staff favored an opt‑in system for localized alerts for hazards or evacuations rather than relying only on flasher hardware.
Council feedback and next steps: Some council members said they prefer retaining simple physical barricades and turning flashing lights off if the sensor system is not maintained; others asked staff to obtain the county’s original mapping and vulnerability analysis that justified the installation. Staff said they would check with county public‑works procurement and ask whether maintenance could be performed under a county contract or piggybacked to reduce cost. Council did not approve the maintenance contract or the notification‑system subscription Aug. 14 and asked staff to return with the county rationale, alternative options and cost tradeoffs.
Ending: Staff will obtain the county’s installation/justification documents, request potential county contract piggyback pricing, and return with a recommendation on whether to pay for ongoing sensor maintenance and whether to add an opt‑in townwide notification system.