In a meeting that seemed to be about housekeeping issues, the city council approved many things, tabling only one item.

The meeting started off with a discussion of the City of Llano Finance Department Report. Lynda Kuder gave the overview of the report.

“I looked back at the seven year average (used for electricity), we’re about five percent ahead of that seven year average,” said Kuder. “Water, at the end of July, we’re about three percent ahead on water sales. Sales tax is looking good too.”

Kuder added that the city’s revenues as far as the budget goes are in good shape. She expressed there seemed to be enough money in the budget to make the improvements to the city facilities that were discussed in past meetings.

The council then turned its attention to Mr. Gandolph Burrus, who presented them with a grant opportunity.

Burrus and the city manager met with Hejl and Lee in Austin who are in the process of drafting a budget for a targeted water project that would take place north of Young Street. The project is to replace the water lines.

“It is work that needs to to be done,” said Burrus. “It’s not a made-up project.”

The council took his suggestion into consideration and will vote on the issue at a later date.

Burrus then presented the council with the last steps for finishing the sidewalk project from the Texas Capital Fund Grant. The council approved the contract and awarded KSA Engineering the project bid.

The last item Burrus presented was authorizing the procurement process for the project management for the TxDOT Safe Routes to School sidewalk and traffic improvements.

“We’re following the TxDOT rule that we must advertise the project three times over a 21 day period in the local newspaper (The Llano News),” said Burrus. “We’re also strongly advised to advertise in one or two other local papers with shorter ads for a shorter period of time.”

Burrus recommended the council advertise in the Austin American Statesman at which council also agreed to advertise in The Highlander as well.

Council then moved on to discuss opening Autumn Street. Mr. Gary Marrs approached the council about the property he owns, next to Autumn and how opening this street would affect him.

After much discussion the council had questions about who owned which lot and agreed to table the issue. They instructed staff to conduct more reseach to clarify who owned the lots and who would also be affected by opening Autumn Street.

The council moved on to discuss regulations for public use of the Llano City Parks. Mayor Roger Pinckney said he had received complaints about loud music, drinking and glass bottles, all of which makes the parks an unpleasant place to be.

The council talked about putting a sign up but Police Cheif James Schilling protested that another sign probably wouldn’t work.

“It is (the parks) used by a wide variety of people but the rules aren’t real clear,” said Schilling.

He suggested organizing the rules onto one sign. With that suggestion the council instructed staff to incorporate the suggestions given.

The council approved the new sewer rates which will start to increase Oct. 1. They also approved staff’s recommendations to award bids for a street paving project to the company they suggest.

After so much discussion and housework items, the council decided to take Labor Day off and have the next meeting the next day, Sept. 1 at 5:30 p.m.