February City Council Recap

February 23, 2026 – Regular Session

Public Forum

Sheila Carillo addressed Council regarding ongoing sewer backup concerns on Tryall Court.

Key points discussed:

• Concern about a nearby manhole and lift station

• Questions about recent rain event impacts

• Request to explore trenching or diversion options away from private property

• Lift station light blinking – concern it may not be functioning properly

Cindy Fuller requested that the City consider adopting an ordinance addressing political yard signs, as there is currently no specific local ordinance.

Discussion included:

• Municipalities must adopt their own ordinances if they wish to regulate signage within city limits

• Reference was made to 90-day signage timelines under state guidelines

Consent Items

Minutes from January 20, 2026 Regular Session

(Correction made to date before approval.)

Approved

Consideration & Action Items

A. Accounts Payable Report – January 31, 2026

Accepted

Notable infrastructure-related items included:

• OmniTech Controls – SCADA system upgrades

(SCADA monitors and controls water/wastewater operations.)

• Golf Ball Water Tower Renovations

B. January 2026 Financial Report

Accepted

Highlights:

• Sales tax revenue currently trending lower than projected (27% vs. 33% benchmark at this point in the fiscal year)

• Expenditures are also trending lower than projected

C. Settlement Agreement & Easement

Approved

Council approved the Settlement Agreement and related easement between the City of Runaway Bay and Bay Community Church.

Barry Schimpf addressed Council and offered a gracious statement, acknowledging that both the Church and the City shared responsibility for the delays surrounding the issue. He expressed appreciation for the work done to reach a resolution and encouraged everyone to “put it to rest” and move forward together.

Following the approval, the room responded with applause. The occasion was marked with celebratory poppers and confetti filled the Civic Center.

The agreement formally resolves the matter and allows the Church to move forward with the construction of their Children’s Building.

D. RH Borden BasinIQ System Update

Roddy Boston provided an update regarding the recent storm event and introduced the proposed RH Borden BasinIQ system as part of the City’s long-term wastewater strategy.

Storm Event – What Happened

During February’s heavy rain event:

• The system became overwhelmed

• Rainwater carried dirt, sediment, and debris into the collection system

• This created a thick slurry at lift stations

• Pumps were unable to properly convey flow due to obstructions

• Some manholes overflowed because of blockages

Select Energy Services was brought in to assist. Crews worked through the evening to:

• Empty lift stations

• Clear slurry buildup

• Remove obstructions

• Restore plant operations

After a few days, the Port O’Call South lift station temporarily stopped responding due to a hose that became loose. It was re-anchored and the station was restored.

Lift Station Design & Regulatory Requirements

Additional information shared during discussion:

• TCEQ requires two pumps per lift station

• The Port O’Call South station currently operates with one and is in the process of redesign

• Stations must be engineered to meet Texas Administrative Code requirements

• Redesign work takes time and must follow regulatory standards

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and three-phase power systems improve efficiency and reliability

Council discussed how some stations are connected in a “daisy chain,” meaning one station impacts the next, which can compound system stress during heavy rain.

Understanding I&I (Inflow & Infiltration)

Roddy explained:

• Inflow = stormwater entering through manholes

• Infiltration = groundwater entering through defects (example: holes or cracks in pipes)

Brick and mortar manholes (which the City has many) are especially vulnerable to stormwater intrusion.

Runaway Bay’s system includes:

• Approximately 35 miles of pipe

• Around 300 manholes (many brick & mortar)

• 17 lift stations/basins

Heavy rain can rapidly increase flow volume well beyond normal daily averages.

What BasinIQ Would Do

The RH Borden BasinIQ system would:

• Integrate system data into one platform

• Create virtual models of manholes

• Map inflow/infiltration trends

• Guide field crews efficiently

• Assist with regulatory compliance

• Provide better data for grant applications

• Move the City from reactive to proactive planning

It would also allow comparison of historical flow data before and after improvements.

The goal is to better identify problem basins and prioritize rehabilitation through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Council Questions & Discussion Highlights

• What is the cost? Proposed not-to-exceed amount: $345,000 (Includes components such as virtual manhole modeling and field work.)

• How would it be paid for? City obtained a $2 million line of credit so monies are earmarked. This upgrade is eligible for grant reimbursement.

Bigger Picture

Other cities experience significant sanitary sewer overflows over time.

The discussion emphasized:

• Understanding each basin individually

• Using GIS mapping

• Field investigations

• Reducing customer complaints

• Protecting infrastructure investments

E. Proposed Project Agreement – RH Borden

Approved

Council approved the proposed Project Agreement between the City of Runaway Bay and RH Borden.

F. Order of Election 2026

Approved

Council approved the Order of Election for the upcoming May 2026 General Election. This action formally calls the election in accordance with state law.

Updates

Richard Griffin (EDC)

• Reported that the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) continues efforts to host monthly bingo events

• Noted 501(c) coordination efforts

• Encouraged residents with ideas for additional community events to contact Phil Reicheneker at phil@shredderzshop.com

Carolyn Moody (Cemetery Board)

• The Cemetery Board has received an application for a new member, Marisol Mogus. The application will be reviewed and submitted to Council for approval.

• At the upcoming Thursday meeting, the Board will discuss:

  • Moving forward with the butterfly garden

  • Landscaping along the side entrance using succulents (due to lack of water access)

  • Memory bricks

  • A possible fall fundraiser

  • Approaching Council regarding either an increase in plot fees or a separate maintenance fee at the time plots are sold (currently in discussion stages)

• The Cemetery grounds recently sustained damage from wild hogs, which is being addressed. A broken fence was also discovered; it is not yet confirmed whether this was caused by hog activity.

• Minutes from the Thursday meeting will be provided once finalized.

Christopher Petty (Fire Department)

• Fire Department remains active and continues responding to lower call volume

• 17 calls reported, including 1 accident

Steve Reynolds (Police Department)

• 25 citations issued

• 54 warnings

• 4 animal-related calls

• 1 accident reported

Steve Holt (Greater Runaway Bay Alliance)

• Shared there is no formal GRBA update at this time

• Mentioned GRBA is working on something special for the community (details forthcoming)

Public Works Update

Ryan Halligen has a Grade B license and has been with the City approximately six months and indicated he is available to answer questions.

Ryan gave an update on our water system, explaining what caused the recent issues, what has already been fixed, and what improvements are now in place to keep our water safe and reliable.

SCADA System & Operations

(SCADA monitors and controls water/wastewater operations.)

• The SCADA system being implemented is the same system used in Decatur

• Integration between water and wastewater plant operations is ongoing

• Goal is improved monitoring and fewer late regulatory notices

• Sampling procedures have been corrected

• TCEQ was notified in November as part of corrective actions, but did not hear back until February

• City is continuing to address legacy issues dating back to 2022

What Caused the Recent Water Quality Issues?

Recent elevated levels of TTHM and HAA5 (disinfection byproducts) were traced to an operational issue at the treatment plant.

In simple terms: When chlorine mixes with natural organic material in water, it can create byproducts. During clarifier flushing, chemical feed continued when it should have been paused, which contributed to higher byproduct formation and elevated turbidity (cloudiness). Additionally, sampling for compliance reporting was being conducted in incorrect locations, which led to inaccurate reporting data. These issues were identified and corrected.

What Has Been Fixed?

The following corrective actions have been completed:

• Chemical feed is now paused during clarifier flushing to prevent improper mixing

• Sampling locations have been corrected to meet TCEQ requirements

• TCEQ has been notified, and the prior reporting violation has been cleared

• Turbidity has been addressed through improved maintenance, proper chemical dosing, and increased filter backwashing

• Chemical lines are now properly labeled

• Backflow prevention was installed and tested in compliance with TCEQ

• Water tower signage has been installed as required

• A hatch seal that was not sealing properly has been replaced

Recent Testing Results

Independent laboratory results show that corrective actions are reducing disinfection byproduct levels.

TTHM and HAA5 sample results are currently within acceptable ranges. Final verification remains pending with LCRA.

Additional Operational Improvements

• A frozen LAS (Liquid Ammonium Sulfate) line in January temporarily impacted removal ratios. The issue was immediately resolved

• The waste lagoon is undergoing TCEQ approval to authorize discharge of treated effluent into the lake. This is expected to resolve alleged air gap concerns and eliminate potential cross-connection issues

• Quarterly maintenance is now scheduled for all mechanical systems to ensure long-term reliability

• Calibration services were transitioned to a new provider, resulting in approximately $4,000 in annual savings and improved performance

• Flushing practices have been enhanced to improve disinfectant residuals throughout the system

• A new SCADA system is being installed to modernize plant controls. The previous legacy system was incompatible with the new infrastructure. Existing PLCs are being upgraded to support new chemical pumps and level controls

Looking Ahead

The new water plant has been online since September 2025.

The City will also be submitting a water sample to the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) this year to compete for Best Tasting Water in Texas.

Mayor’s Update

Freese & Nichols / USACE Agreement

• Freese & Nichols representatives will be present for the March City Council meeting

• The U.S. Army Corps Commander has officially signed the agreement, marking a major milestone in the project

• Emphasized that the City should be proud of securing this project

• Noted that Runaway Bay is one of only 32 cities nationwide and one of just 3 in Texas included in this program

• Successfully negotiated with the Army Corps for the City’s financial structure to be administered monthly rather than quarterly, improving cash flow management

• Meeting with Congressman Ronny Jackson’s office this week to discuss the potential for an additional $7 million in grant funding for 2027

Community Update

• The Mayor expressed appreciation to the City Council and all those who have contributed to the infrastructure project, acknowledging the collective effort that brought the City to this point

• In a notable moment of civility, the Mayor expressed appreciation for those involved in the effort, including Sam Berry, and the two shook hands

• The Mayor also addressed hurtful statements circulating in the community, stating that hateful rhetoric is not condoned. He emphasized the importance of working together constructively for the benefit of Runaway Bay

February City Council Agenda

Infrastructure Status Report