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Council tables decision on adding 21 fire hydrants for 495 expansion pending MOU with water provider
Summary
Consultants recommended roughly 21 additional fire hydrants for the TxDOT 495 expansion at an estimated city cost of about $140,000; council voted to table the item and ask staff to negotiate an MOU and obtain legal review to guarantee water service and maintenance before committing funds.
Palm View — Engineers briefed the council Dec. 3 on utility relocations tied to TxDOT's 495 expansion and recommended adding roughly 21 new fire hydrants along the corridor to meet a roughly 400‑foot spacing standard.
A consultant said the additional hydrants would cover the stretch between Abram and Lahoma and that about seven existing hydrants would be relocated or reconnected to the new water line. The consultant estimated each new hydrant would cost about $600–$500 (transcript phrasing), and staff summarized a total additional cost near $140,000.
Councilmembers and staff raised concerns about who would guarantee water availability and hydrant maintenance. One councilmember cautioned that the water provider's tariff might not guarantee water service or hydrant maintenance at those connection points, and recommended negotiating an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the water provider before the city invests in new hydrants.
After discussion, a motion to table the item passed; the motion directed staff to pursue an MOU and legal review before the council takes further action on installation or city funding for the hydrants. Staff said tabling will allow coordination to avoid tearing up new road work after TxDOT construction.
