-
The Burnet City Council authorized funds to pave and seal the runway and taxiways at the Burnet Municipal Airport. Contributed photo
During the first meeting of the New Year, the Burnet City Council approved large amounts for the local airport, also for the fire and police departments.
During the Jan. 10 session, the council authorized funds to pave and seal the runway and taxiways at the Burnet Municipal Airport Kate Craddock Field.
Total cost of the airport paving project is estimated at more than $1.2 million.
About 90% of the projects funds will come via a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The remaining 10% of the project cost (about $122,000) could come out of the city capital equipment reserve fund or possibly from “non-primary entitlement funds” approved by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Completion of the project is expected sometime during the upcoming summer.
Different sections of the airport will close while the paving occurs, Belaj said.
“Once it gets started, it shouldn’t take long to finish it,” he added.
New Pumper Truck Also during the meeting, the council green-lighted for the fire department the purchase of a new pumper fire truck from the Siddons-Martin Emergency Group based in Manor. Cost of the vehicle will tally more than $554,000.
Emergency Services District No.7 plans to contribute about $130,000 over a two-year period to pay for the truck, Fire Chief Mark Ingram said.
The rest of the cost could be paid out of the city’s general capital reserve fund, according to City Manager David Vaughn.
Firing Range
Also, the council approved $65,000 for the purchase of a new mobile target practice system at the police firing range.
The system will be powered electronically, Police Chief Brian Lee told the council.
“It will be an impressive system,” Lee said. “It will be a huge step forward for us.”
The system in place now is powered by pressurized gas. Before any given shooter fires at a target, he or she can hear the hiss noise of gas released from a tank. As such, the element of surprise is eliminated, Lee said.
The new electronic system can be programmed to create silent, unexpected and endless scenarios with 10 possible outcomes and make targets appear and disappear in time less than one second, the chief added.
“The range (in place now) has served its purpose for many years,” Lee said. “But we need improvements and upgraded target systems for more efficient training.”
Other law enforcement groups such as the Department of Public Safety could fire practice shots at the new electronic practice range, Vaughn said.
“Other agencies almost certainly will want to use it,” he added.
About half of the funds for the new target system could be covered by the city’s share of the recent National Opioid Settlement, according to city officials.
The remainder could be funded by a donation from the estate of Stella Pelej.
“Ms. Pelej was a big supporter of the police and fire departments,” Vaughn said. “She donated funds to them on a regular basis.” Minors Curfew
Before the meeting ended, as required by law, the council conducted its first review of the city ordinance regarding curfew hours for minors, including any individual under-17 unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.
Curfew for minors is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. any Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. any Friday or Saturday.
“It (the curfew ordinance) needs to be revisited every three years and adopted again,” Vaughn said.
No changes to the ordinance are expected, he added.
