By Mark Archibald
The Athens City Council approved an ordinance by a vote of 3-2 establishing the use of “Data Center, Non-Enterprise within the City of Athens, during Monday’s regular council meeting.
Councilpersons Debra Wilson and Katha Lawyer were dissenting votes on the measure.
The council also voted on a similar item prohibiting the establishment of “Battery Energy Storage Systems facilities within the city limits.
The council began gathering information about data centers and battery energy storage facilities in January.
Two recent planning and zoning sessions and two council sessions were used to gather facts about the related zoning issues and the proposed projects.
Councilpersons Debra Wilson and Katha Lawyer also cast dissenting votes on the measure.
The city council agreed to make a total investment of $218,500 for emergency drainage system repairs to Park Drive, Dull Averiette, Cardinal Drive and Campus Drive in Athens.
FDC Construction will receive $155,000 to complete emergency drainage system repairs after torrential rains on June 14 of this year, which caused extensive damage throughout the city.
The city will also contribute an additional $63,500 in materials to repair the damaged roads.
The City Manager was authorized to execute the agreement.
The council were updated on the proposed 2027 Fiscal Year budget, following a public hearing.
The proposed budget is essentially balanced with an estimated $17.4 million in General Fund expenditures. The utility funds are also balanced at $8 million.
The proposed tax rate was also discussed in a public hearing. The rate of $0.0532751 per $100 of taxable valuation is likely to be unchanged from the previous year.
The budget and tax rate are likely to be considered at the Sept. 14 council meeting.
The purchase of a Triplex Domestic Booster Pump System from C&P Pump Services, Inc, was approved.
The total cost will be $51,396.
Once installed, the new equipment will provide additional water pressure primarily to the Northeast side of town.
The City Manager was also authorized to execute all necessary documents to secure the purchase.
The council approved the guidelines for the Business Assistance Grant program.
The Athens Economic Development Corporation will receive and review applications from qualified businesses beginning Oct. 1.
Although no decisions were made Monday, the city did authorize the expenditure of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2027.
Council members also approved the expenditure of $30,000 for the 2027 budget year pertaining to the Athens Economic Development Corporation Workforce Development Grant Program.
An ordinance pertaining to townhouses was modified to include requirements for condominiums.
Council members denied a requested zoning change and Special Use Permit which would have allowed a cell tower antenna to be placed near a residential area. Those who opposed the placement of the tower were concerned about its proximity to homes.
The council heard a public works and development services update.
Donna Bennett was reappointed to a two-year term as Athens Municipal Court Judge.
City Manager, Elizabeth Borstad, was authorized to enter into an agreement for her services.
The council followed the recommendation of a committee tasked with selecting a company for administrative services pertaining to the city’s application for the 2027 Texas Community Development Block Grant to Traylor and Associates.
The Texas Department of Agriculture administers the program.
The council also sent out Request for Proposals, then authorized the City Manager to execute a contract for administrative services.
A resolution authorizing staff to make Chapter 380 payments from Fund 15 for outstanding rebates was approved.
A resolution authorizing an amendment to the Performance Agreement for Milo Jack, LLC was approved allowing a change to the company representative and loan guarantor.
The consent agenda was also approved before a planned Executive Session was held. No action resulted from that session.
The Athens City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Monday of the month in the Civic Hall, Room 216 of the Cain Center, 915 S. Palestine St. in Athens.