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Shenandoah council approves AMI project, procurement threshold change and multiple contracts; honors officer who saved a child
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Shenandoah City Council approved an Ameresco AMI project agreement, raised the competitive‑bid threshold to $100,000 to reflect SB 1173, awarded storm‑drainage and other contracts, and recognized Officer Patrick Reed for a life‑saving rescue.
Shenandoah — The City Council on Jan. 14 approved a string of contracts and policy updates intended to advance utility modernization and local infrastructure while honoring a police officer for a life‑saving rescue.
Council voted to approve a project development agreement with energy‑services firm Ameresco to conduct an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) audit and potentially manage later phases of the project, adopted changes to the city’s procurement policy to reflect Texas legislation raising the competitive‑bid threshold from $50,000 to $100,000, awarded a storm‑drainage contract for the I‑45 redevelopment zone, and approved a reduced change order for the wastewater treatment plant.
The council also recognized Shenandoah Police Department Officer Patrick Reed with a life‑saving award for pulling an 11‑year‑old girl back onto an overpass on Oct. 17, preventing a likely fatal fall.
Votes at a glance - Resolution to submit a state grant application for NIJ‑rated ballistic vests (approved; motion carries). Staff said the state award pool is $3,000,000 and the city’s share will depend on the eventual award. - Appointment to CVB advisory committee (approved; motion carried 3–2). Council added Councilman Robinson and Councilman Pollard to the roster amid questions about representation. - Designation of the Courier as the city’s official newspaper (approved 4–1). Councilmembers discussed SB 1062 and whether online outlets qualify for official notice status. - Interlocal agreement with the 791 purchasing cooperative (approved). Staff said enrollment is free and provides competitively bid contracts for city use. - Project development agreement with Ameresco for AMI (approved). Staff said phase‑one is an audit; if the city does not select Ameresco for project management, the audit cost would be $20,000. - Award of contract for I‑45 redevelopment zone storm drainage to Coastline Veil Engineering for $367,775.50 (approved). Staff said the low bid saved over $300,000 versus prior estimates. - Wastewater Treatment Plant Change Order No. 4 reduced to $31,485 after negotiations (approved). Funding will be reconciled at project closeout and may include impact fees. - Procurement policy updates to reflect SB 1173 (approved). The competitive‑bid threshold increase and minor technical clarifications were adopted; staff will provide follow‑up reporting on purchases that fall into the higher threshold.
City staff and council members discussed several operational items, including community room key procedures and deposit refunds, police staffing (vacancies declined from five to two after recent raises), and coordination concerns after a warrant service on Rosewood executed by outside agencies.
“We are very proud of you,” the mayor said while presenting Officer Reed’s award, praising Reed’s “split‑second and swift actions” that saved the girl’s life. A citizen who saw a video of the incident donated an additional token noting that “not all heroes wear capes.”
What’s next Staff will finalize funding reconciliations for capital projects at closeout, bring a reporting proposal for unencumbered available cash, continue outreach for CVB committee vacancies (including medical representatives), and proceed with the Ameresco AMI audit and implementation steps as outlined in the agreement.
