Athens council approves ALPR camera agreement, utility purchases and adopts water and solid‑waste ordinances

The Athens City Council on Feb. 23 approved a package of routine municipal actions, including an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to allow six automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras in TxDOT right of way, purchases for utilities, and final ordinances on utility and solid‑waste policy.

Chief of Police Chad Allen presented the Multiple Use Agreement with TxDOT to permit installation and operation of six ALPR cameras in TxDOT right of way. Public comment included opposition from Mckenzie Brown; the minutes note concerns but do not record verbatim objections. Councilwoman Katha Lawyer moved to approve the agreement and Councilmember Bryan Barker seconded; the motion carried unanimously (4–0).

Utilities Director Randy Williams asked council to approve a purchase of a combination sewer cleaning truck from CLS Equipment Co., Inc. through an HGAC cooperative contract. Williams provided warranty information and stated the department will keep the existing truck in reserve; the council approved the purchase.

Staff recommended awarding bids under IFB26‑6201 for chemicals used at the city’s water and wastewater treatment facilities to the lowest responsible bidders; the anhydrous ammonia item was rejected. Council approved acceptance of the bids and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreements.

The council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute assignment of a previously authorized Chapter 380 economic development agreement for Flat Creek Apartments to a new owner, Chadnic Flat Creek, LLC, at the developer’s request.

On ordinances, Assistant City Manager Mandie Quigg told council of two changes to the water and wastewater rates ordinance since first reading: separation of residential and commercial‑industrial user classifications and the addition of a Multi‑Dwelling Efficiency Unit billed at 50% occupancy. Council gave final reading and adopted the ordinance amending Chapter 21 by roll call (4–0). Council likewise approved final reading of an amendment to Chapter 10 (solid waste collection and disposal), removing a permit exception sentence from Sec. 10‑39; that ordinance also passed on final reading (4–0).

All motions on these items carried unanimously among the four councilmembers present. The minutes record motions, movers and seconders for each item but contain limited detail on contract terms and on specific privacy or procurement safeguards.

Votes at a glance: • TxDOT ALPR multiple use agreement — approved; mover: Katha Lawyer; second: Bryan Barker; outcome: approved; vote: 4–0. • 380 Agreement reassignment (Flat Creek Apartments to Chadnic Flat Creek, LLC) — approved; mover: Bill Priestley; second: Bryan Barker; outcome: approved; vote: 4–0. • Purchase: combination sewer cleaning truck (CLS Equipment Co.) — approved; mover: Bryan Barker; second: Katha Lawyer; outcome: approved; vote: 4–0. • IFB26‑6201 chemical awards for water/wastewater — approved (anhydrous ammonia item rejected); mover: Katha Lawyer; second: Bill Priestley; outcome: approved; vote: 4–0. • Ordinance: Chapter 21 water and wastewater rates (final reading) — adopted; mover: Bryan Barker; second: Bill Priestley; outcome: adopted; vote: 4–0. • Ordinance: Chapter 10 solid waste collection and disposal (final reading) — adopted; mover: Katha Lawyer; second: Bryan Barker; outcome: adopted; vote: 4–0.

The council’s minutes do not include detailed contract language for the TxDOT MUA or the vendor contracts; the record does not show staff presenting privacy‑policy details for ALPR or full bid tabulations for IFB26‑6201.