City Council met Monday night, minus City of Llano Mayor, Mike Reagor.

During public comments, John Ferguson addressed the City Council regarding the donation of labor and materials to the new Llano Events Center, stating that after obtaining work logs of city employees, that he had calculated that approximately 407 full days of work and 168 partial days of work had been done.

He questioned whether anyone was aware of the amount of time donated by the City to the LEDC, asking why a new position for lawn mowing had been approved when labor had been given to this project.

In other public comments, Ervin Light asked that the City Council instruct the Llano Police Department and City Attorney to crack down on the drug trade in Llano. He said that Llano has a serious problem, stating, “Anybody who believes that Llano does not have a serious drug problem has their head in the sand.”

Flooding in Parkview Acres and on Flag Creek Drive was discussed at length. Studies that the City had done indicate that in order to lessen the flooding in that area, suggested strategies include, but are not limited to channelization, building a detention pond, storm sewer and replacing and upgrading culverts. The studies were ordered after concerns were brought to the City that the construction of the Community Center increased the severity of flooding in that area.

The total cost for the project is estimated to be about $847,000. Discussion regarding different financing options included using money from the City’s reserves, taking from the Restricted Sinking Fund, Certificates of Obligation, and creating a Public Improvement District.

Council members opposed using money from the reserves or the Sinking Fund, citing that the money in those accounts is earmarked for operating expenses in case of an emergency and working on fixing the water shortage issue, respectively.

There are approximately nine homes in the two areas that are at high risk for flooding. Engineers who inspected the area noted that the homes were built below the flood line, and that contributes to the likelihood that the area will flood.

Before any decisions are made, Council will hold a workshop to further investigate the problem. The consensus was that the Council wants to help, but they need to find out first what is causing the problem, and whether or not the City is liable, before deciding which course to take.

Following a request for information regarding the City Attorney’s opinion of the Council’s action to close Salem Street, Council voted to release the information, even though it is covered under Attorney- Client Privilege.

The opinion rendered by Cary Bovey, City Attorney, stated that the Council acted within its powers to close Salem Avenue. Bovey stated that Salem Avenue was indeed a City Street, and that unless neighbors who abut this property protest, then the closure can move forward.

He went on to say that access to the river was not substantially impaired by the City’s decision, since access can be made at other points.

A Noise Ordinance was passed, prohibiting construction in residential neighborhoods before 5:30am and after 8 pm any day of the week, unless an After Hours Construction Permit is obtained, allowing work between 8 pm and 5:30am.