El Campo council approves inventory policy, engineering contract, emergency sewer repair, utility extension and new Civic Center tables

The El Campo City Council on Monday approved a package of resolutions that set a new inventory-control policy, authorized engineering services for hazard mitigation projects, approved an emergency sanitary sewer repair, accepted an agreement to extend utilities to a private property on Roberts Street and authorized purchase of new Civic Center tables.

The actions affect city fiscal controls, short-term emergency repairs to a key sewer main, and planned hazard-mitigation work to support generators at lift stations and the Civic Center.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution R2025-01: Adopted an inventory control and surplus property disposal policy to be incorporated into the city's fiscal policies and procedures. (Outcome: approved.) - Resolution R2025-02: Awarded engineering and architectural services to Civitas Engineering Group for Hazard Mitigation Assistance work related to recent storms (RFQ selection). (Outcome: approved.) - Resolution R2025-04: Approved an agreement with property owner James A. Bellini for the City to provide labor and equipment to extend mainline utilities to 20 Roberts Street. (Outcome: approved.) - Resolution R2025-05: Authorized emergency sanitary sewer main repair on North Berndhold Street and authorized the city manager to execute related documents. The presented cost estimate was $154,111.20. (Outcome: approved.) - Purchase authorization: Approved purchase of replacement Civic Center tables from Event Stable for $24,790 to be paid from the Civic Center fund balance. (Outcome: approved.)

Inventory control and surplus property policy

Council approved Resolution R2025-01 to adopt an inventory-control and surplus-property disposal policy and fold it into the city's fiscal policies. City staff said the policy will require annual inventory reviews by department heads with records maintained by finance, prohibit personal use of city equipment in line with personnel policy, and specify regulated disposal methods and trade-in procedures. The presenter said the policy implements a charter amendment passed by voters in May that requires the council to set such a policy.

City staff: "This policy will outline the responsibilities for inventory control, use of property, and disposal of property," said a city staff member who introduced the resolution. The council approved the resolution without further amendment.

Engineering services for hazard mitigation

Council approved Resolution R2025-02 to award engineering and architectural services to Civitas Engineering Group (selected after an RFQ process) for work under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance program connected to two federally referenced disaster events listed in the agenda materials. Staff said the work is the next step in applying for generators to serve lift stations and the Civic Center.

City staff noted the firm was recommended by a review committee and that references from Mount Bellevue and Sugar Land were favorable. "We'd like you to approve the resolution approving us to move forward with Civitas Engineering Group," the presenter said.

Utility extension to 20 Roberts Street

Council approved Resolution R2025-04 authorizing an agreement with property owner James A. Bellini under which the property owner will pay for material and the city will provide labor and equipment to extend mainline utilities to 20 Roberts Street (XID 7373). City staff said the arrangement mirrors an earlier agreement used for Earl Street and that the city's policy is to require access to utilities before signing plats for new development.

City staff explained: "Our policy is that if somebody wants to develop a piece of land, the new piece of land has to have access to utilities before I will execute any kind of plat," and that the agreement uses the same templates and attachments as prior similar projects.

Contractor/staff questions about methods of installation prompted a brief exchange: a council member asked whether the work would require tearing up the street; a staff member answered that the contractor would bore the line rather than excavate the entire roadway.

Emergency sanitary sewer repair on North Berndhold Street

Council approved Resolution R2025-05 to authorize an emergency repair after staff reported an unplanned failure in a segment of sewer main. Staff said crews discovered a missing pipe during excavation and installed a temporary stent to maintain flow, but the line requires a permanent repair estimated at $154,111.20.

Public works staff said the quoted contractor offered a lower mobilization fee because the crew is local, and that the price presented to council was lower than an earlier, higher estimate discussed with the public works committee. "Cheaper than what I expected," Public Works staff member Kevin said after seeing the estimate. Asked about schedule, Kevin said the contractor "could probably mobilize this week." The council approved the emergency authorization.

Civic Center tables purchase

Council approved purchase of 35 heavy-duty plastic tables from Event Stable for $24,790, to be paid from the Civic Center fund balance. Staff said the city has roughly $150,000 available in the Civic Center fund balance after ongoing painting expenses, and that the tables were placed before council for immediate replacement because several recent events exposed the current tables' poor condition.

City staff said the chairs, which would cost more, were deferred to next year. Council member who moved the purchase noted the tables were "really bad" and that the city would attempt to sell or give away the old tables.

Other actions and administration

The council also approved a consent agenda that included minutes for its Dec. 9, 2024 workshop and regular meeting, and a joint election agreement and election services contract with the Wharton County Elections Department (Resolution R2025-03). The mayor named himself as the primary representative and Mayor Pro Tem Blake Barger as alternate to the Houston-Galveston Area Council. The council postponed an executive-session item because the District 2 representative was absent.

The meeting opened at 6 p.m. and adjourned following the listed business. Staff public notices and agenda materials cited the Texas Open Meetings Act for public-comment procedures.

Ending: The council set no specific new follow-up deadlines at the meeting; staff will proceed with procurement, contracting, and project scheduling under the council's approvals.