Engineering firm selected to help with development grant

By Rosanne Fohn

Anvil Herald reporter

In response to news that the city of Hondo’s Community Development Block Grant application was accepted, council June 8 hired Schaumberg & Polk Inc. engineers to help with the project submission. The city had proposed both a water and a wastewater project, but only one project can be submitted for final approval of the $750,000 in funding.  

“These are very competitive grants, so it was kind of surprising that we received this,” City Manager John Naron said. One of the benefits of applying for CDBGs is the flexibility that communities have in choosing projects that will benefit the city the most. 

Naron told council that the city will submit a project to replace electrical components at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. “$750,000 is about what it will take to replace the electrical system and the funding has to be used to complete a project, not to just go towards a project,” he explained.

Naron said a committee reviewed 13 or 14 engineering bids. Schaumberg & Polk was selected because the firm is already on the city’s approved engineering list, the firm has experience working with CDBGs, it is available now and has the depth of expertise needed for the project. 

Firms approved

Another item on the agenda was to consider the approval of six engineering firms with different specialties to be on-call to the South Texas Regional Airport. On-call firms will be paid only if the city engages them for a project. 

Council unanimously approved KSA Engineers, Raba Kistner, AtkinsRéalis, Westwood, Terracon and Engage Group.

Water leases

Also regarding the airport, council approved Director of Aviation Ryan Elder’s proposal to lease basic irrigation water rights for agricultural purposes. Two farmers answered the request for bids for the airport’s 362 available acre feet of water. 

Council approved the bids of Constanzo Farms of Atascosa, Texas, and Lamon Farms of D’Hanis. Constanzo requested 175 acre feet at $102 per acre foot, totaling $17,850. The remaining 187 acre feet were awarded to Lamon for $50 an acre foot for a total of $9,351.05. Constanzo’s bid was higher because the firm receives a stipend through the Edwards Aquafer Authority’s Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option. The city will receive a total of $27,201.05 in lease money.

HOME program

Council also awarded a $445,500 contract to A-One Insulation to build three additional homes through the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the money, and the funding is administered here through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 

The purpose of the program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, affordable housing and strengthen public-private housing partnerships by replacing substandard homes. Homeowners must qualify for the program and can find out more information by scrolling down on the opening page of the city’s website, https://www.hondo-tx.org/.

A-One was recommended by Langford Community Management Services, which manages the grant submission process for the city. Four builder bids were received. A-One had the lowest bid and has built the city’s previous 10 homes through the program. 

Appointment

In other business, Angela Saathoff was appointed to a three-year term on the Planning and Zoning Board.

In addition, Tracy Voss, owner of a pet rescue organization north of Hondo, approached council in the Citizens to Be Heard section of the meeting asking that the city consider requiring her humane pet education program for pet owners who receive pet-related violations. No action was taken because the item was not on the agenda.