More than 20 residents attended Bill Baker’s “Coffee with the Mayor” to learn of the latest developments in Yorktown on November 19. Hosted by the Yorktown Historical Museum, Mayor Baker gave a warm greeting and introduced his staff members and special guests.
Officials in attendance were Michele Warwas, city administrator; Travis Peyton, Public Works Director; Eric Gonzales, Utilities Director; Katie Watson, Water/Utility/ Permits Director; Mary Kay Mattox, Finance Director; Jenni Diehl, Librarian of Yorktown Library; Tamara Kainer, Marketing and Business Development Director of Cuero Regional Hospi- tal; Michael Rippamonti, Council Member; Joe Dicky Rodriguez, Council Member; Katie Newman, Executive Director of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce; and Tanya and Bruce Taylor from The Extra Mile Cleaning Co. LLC also attended.
Obstetrics Services at Yorktown Medical Center
A big development is the addition of obstetrics (OBS) services at Yorktown Medical Clinic, 508 N. Riedel. Tamara Kainer from Cuero Regional Hospital announced that Dr. Nick Lemley provides those services on Wednesday mornings. Cindy Lange is the office manager.
“That’s my role at the hospital to really connect with the community and our community members to see how we can better serve you,” Kainer said.
TDS Recycling Dumpster Relocation
The audience was enthusiastic about the Mayor’s announcement of the relocation of the recycling dumpster outside the gate of the City Yard. This relocation is significant because the dumpster was previously located inside the gate, which made many people hesitant to open it and drive in.
'It's important to me when it’s easy to do (recycling),' Tanya Taylor, resident in attendance, said.
The dumpster is clearly labeled 'TDS Recycling' and can be accessed from both sides. Currently, there is no disposal charge. Thursday is the scheduled pick-up day.
Additionally, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS), the hard trash carrier for Yorktown, offers a home recycling option in which bins are provided to residents. This citywide service would be charged to all residents and requires approval from the Yorktown community. Further discussions about this option will be conducted.
Water, Sewer, and Repairs
The City has installed approximately 900 smart meters for remote water metering throughout Yorktown to track water usage and loss. The meters are paid for by a grant.
“No citizen money had gone to smart meters,” Baker said.
The placement of smart meters will give the city the ability to monitor usage.
“Smart meters are going to offer something we’ve never had. It’s going to offer accuracy,” Baker explained.
There have been complaints about the accuracy of smart meters.
“If you have any doubt about the accuracy of the meter at your house, you call Katie. Katie will work with you because we can monitor your water output by the hour…and we can tell you where your problem is,” Baker said.
“We pump 100 million gallons of water a year. We lose 50 million,” Baker emphasized.
Regarding sewer plans, the city will replace all of the 8th Street sewer facilities by the City Yard in addition to the sewer-water street lines on Colonial Drive. The 8th Street Station was built in 1975 and is well beyond its 25 year life span.
“We have a $6 million sewer grant to replace all of our sewer facilities… We are now at the stage to lay out the bids. We will replace the 8th lift station… (it) will cost the citizens of Yorktown approximately $60,000,” Baker said.
The City used emergency funds to repair the twisted shaft at Massey Well off 12th street and replaced a 750 ft sewer line from Apple Lumber to the Donut Palace.
“We spent $115,000 of emergency one-time funds (for Massey Well) ….$75,000 to replace the (sewer)line,” Baker said.
Baker described some surprising garbage, such as dryer vents and curtains in the sewer line.
“Obviously, we’ll have to go into an educational program on what and what you can’t flush!” Baker exclaimed.
Other ongoing developments included a new city logo rebrand to get a fresh start, building repairs at City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce, moving tables in Lion Park to City Park, a 4’x12” electronic marquee, fresh mulch on the playground in the park, purchase of four used trucks, a mini Kubota excavator, and a used hydrovac from Cuero.
