Council tables final water master plan; approves emergency clarifier rebuild and related budget fix

Lago Vista City Council on Feb. 6 delayed final adoption of a revised city water master plan and directed staff to finalize and seal a consultant’s updates for placement on the Feb. 20 consent agenda. Council also approved a $304,009 emergency contract to rebuild a clarifier at Water Treatment Plant No. 1 after the equipment failed and reduced plant capacity.

The council’s action on the master plan followed an extended briefing from Jessica (Friese Nichols), the consultant on the plan. Council members raised questions about the plan’s five‑year capital improvement program, the timing of a proposed 16‑inch water line to Lohman Ford, and differing cost estimates for upgrades to Water Treatment Plant No. 3. Friese Nichols said the largest remaining uncertainty is timing of build‑out and that some projects in the five‑year window depend on choices about whether to pursue TCEQ alternative capacity requirements. Councilmember Prince pressed staff on a line‑item change that reduced the five‑year estimate from about $57.8 million (packet draft) to $37.2 million in a revised draft; the consultant confirmed the lower figure reflected recent scope and sequencing changes.

After discussion, Councilmember Prince moved to table adoption and asked Friese Nichols to “seal it and send over the final version” to be included on the Feb. 20 consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.

Separately, the council approved an emergency services contract with Rebuild It Services Group to rebuild one of two clarifiers at Water Plant No. 1. The city reported the clarifier drive unit failed and the plant is operating at roughly half capacity until repairs are complete. The contractor’s scope calls for disassembly, inspection, steam cleaning, replacement of wear parts (bearings, seals, gaskets, fasteners), machining and polishing of reusable parts, replacement of motors and torque components as required, and turnkey reinstallation and testing. The contract includes a two‑year warranty; the city will fund the work from the utility reserve and bring a budget amendment into the finance process to record the spending.

The council was told the utility reserve balance has grown since the last formal finance report and can cover the repair without jeopardizing operations. Council members asked staff to return with any additional change‑order requests if the contractor discovers unexpected damage during the rebuild.

The tabled water master plan will be returned for a final vote on the Feb. 20 consent agenda after staff and the consultant post a sealed, final document for review.