CITY UPDATE: WATER & BUILDING MORATORIUM
FROM MARCH 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL MEETING VIDEO
UPDATED LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM ORDINANCE ADOPTED
(beginning at 25:16 in the meeting video)
The City Council adopted an updated Landscape and Irrigation System Ordinance that promotes water conservation at the March 12 meeting.
The ordinance which specifies the use of upgraded irrigation systems and the use of Texas Smartscape recommended plant materials including turf, shrubs and trees applies ONLY to new development as of March 13, 2024.
All existing residential and commercial properties are vested under the old ordinance, but property owners are encouraged to follow the ordinance when replacing irrigation systems and landscaping to achieve water conservation and lower utility bills.
The path to the adoption of the ordinance included Public Hearings at the March 5 Planning & Commission Meeting and the March 12 City Council meeting.
The City will increase educational opportunities about Texas Smartscape resources at upcoming events such as the Heart of Heath 5k/Family Run on March 30, where a Texas A&M Master Gardener will be available as well ongoing information as in the City newsletter and website.
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING MORATORIUM EXPIRES; NO EXTENSION NECESSARY
(beginning at 1:08 in the meeting video)
As a result of the updated Landscaping and Irrigation Ordinance’s approval, the City Council also confirmed the building moratorium will expire on March 13.
The City enacted the 120-day moratorium on November 14, 2023, to provide a pause in construction for the new ordinance supporting water conservation to be developed.
The goal was to avoid approving a significant amount of building permits before a new landscaping and irrigation ordinance supporting water conservation could be adopted.
At the time the moratorium was adopted, it was set to expire on March 13 unless it was extended. The City Council did not extend the moratorium beyond March 13.
The regular planning and development process resumes March 14.
UPGRADING AND MAINTENANCE OF CITY’S 3 WATER PUMPS UNDERWAY
(beginning at 16:32 in the meeting video)
Public Works Director Bryan Creed reported to Council at the March 12 meeting the work being performed to ensure the City’s full water pumping capabilities were in place prior to the warm, dry months of Spring and Summer.
The City’s two (2) 300-horsepower pumps have been rehabbed and tested; and the one (1), 200- horsepower pump will be replaced with a 300-horsepower model by late April.
UPGRADING WATER METER INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING CUSTOMER ACCESS TO REAL-TIME DATA ON THEIR CONSUMPTION
Phase 1 of the installation of the upgraded Advanced Metering Infrastructure has begun and encompasses the installation 3,021 new water meters at City of Heath utility customer properties.
This represents 72 percent of the citywide system, with the remaining 1,200 meters to be purchased and installed in the next budget year of FY 2024-2025
The new water meters will increase efficiency and responsiveness to customers by providing real-time data on utility consumption for accurate data measurement and more efficient billing. The data received will also support informed decisions regarding any additional updates to the City’s Landscape and Irrigation System ordinance.
The program also includes a customer portal to provide citizens access to the data and enable both the City and users to identify issues more quickly to avoid costly problems.
Customers will receive instructions on how to use the new customer portal via a door hanger when their new meter is installed. This information will also be available on the City website.
Residents can expect to see Putt Bro’s Hydrant & Meters trucks and employees at work in our community throughout Phase 1 of this community improvement project.
The Phase 1 completion goal is June 2024. A list of properties included in Phase 1 is being finalized and will be published.
MORE INFORMATION
The Building Moratorium page has been archived as the moratorium is no longer in effect. For information about water, visit the Water Wise page.
