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Town manager reviews winter‑storm response and outlines Art Center process; EOC activations and staffing highlighted
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Summary
Town managers and emergency staff presented an after‑action review of the recent winter storm — including EOC activation, continuous public‑works operations, limited power outages, and communications outreach — and outlined a phased plan and role for the Cultural Arts Commission in the Art Center/Riverwalk project.
At the start of the Feb. 2 meeting, the town manager reviewed the town’s response to a recent winter storm and introduced Bobby Sanford, the town’s emergency management specialist, who delivered an after‑action briefing. Sanford told council the Emergency Operations Center was activated from Friday at 5 p.m. through Tuesday at 9 a.m.; public works moved from pretreatment to continuous operations, including two‑shift and 16‑hour operations during peak response. Most outages were brief and limited in customer counts; the town did not open proactive warming centers during this event because outages were localized and short, but staff noted the ability to stand up warming centers quickly if expanded power outages occur.
Sanford and the town manager praised public‑works, fleet services and communications staff for around‑the‑clock work and frequent public updates. Council members asked about TxDOT responsibilities on state roads and the special challenges of bridges and flyovers during freezing events; staff explained bridge surfaces are harder to treat due to lack of ground warming and urged continued caution.
Later in the meeting the town manager presented an update on the Art Center and Riverwalk project. He reviewed a four‑phase schedule (market assessment, pre‑design/programming, schematic design, and design development), the role of the steering committee and consultants, and proposed that a member of the Cultural Arts Commission be added to the steering committee at phase 3 to provide design feedback. He emphasized that the project is still in pre‑design — no schematic design has been finalized — and described the planned use of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method to cap cost exposure during design and construction.
The council indicated general support for adding a Cultural Arts Commission representative at the schematic‑design phase, and staff said they will coordinate timing, steering‑committee membership and upcoming meetings.
