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Farmers Branch staff update committee on EV purchases, grants, recycling center and upcoming public meetings
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Summary
City staff told the sustainability committee that two EVs are in the fleet, the city is awaiting EECBG reimbursement and a TCEQ grant decision, water‑efficiency rebates continue, the regional bicycle safety survey is active and a city recycling/compost collection center will reopen.
City sustainability staff briefed the Farmers Branch Sustainability Committee on multiple ongoing programs and community outreach items including EV purchases, grant reimbursements, water rebates, active‑transportation outreach, and recycling and composting services.
Alex reported the city purchased two electric vehicles using Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding; staff are awaiting federal reimbursement. Alex also said the city is awaiting a decision on a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) grant for three additional electric vehicles. A separate proposed TxDOT funding request for improvements along the Inwood Trail did not move forward after the related city council resolution failed, Alex said.
Alex said the city has completed 116 toilets replaced under a local rebate program and has processed 14 irrigation checkup applications, seven of which were approved. He also described coordination with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) on a regional bicycle‑safety plan; NCTCOG is collecting public input via a survey that the city will share on e‑news and social media.
On waste and composting, staff said a revamped collection center (Senlac Service Center) is nearing completion and will include manned collection for some materials; the site will host electronics recycling and shredding events, with the next electronics event scheduled for July 26. Staff described plans for a Compost 101 workshop modeled on last year's event and asked committee members to help recruit participants.
Council Member Elizabeth (introduced herself as a new District 4 council member during the meeting) spoke during the public comment portion to suggest the city explore distributing small kitchen compost bins used in other cities to increase household participation in composting. Alex said the city will explore the idea and noted compost drop‑off capacity is limited until the new collection center opens and secures TCEQ permitting.
Alex also confirmed that the utility has installed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters and is conducting staff demos; a customer portal and staff training are planned to help residents use leak‑detection tools once the portal goes live. The city will notify residents about demonstrations and available training.
Alex said DART will hold a public hearing on proposed service and fare changes in Farmers Branch on Wednesday, June 18, at the recreation center; staff will share details and the streaming availability as they become known. Alex outlined which regional agencies and cities participate in transportation development credit programs and said those credits can be used for pedestrian and sidewalk connectors.
Staff updates were informational; the committee asked staff for follow‑up on demo dates and on whether composting outreach could coordinate with school grounds and park partnerships.
