HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-15 - Special City CouncilMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
City of Stephenville - City Council
TUESDAY, JUNE 15,1999 - 5:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, convened in special session on Tuesday,
June 15, 1999, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 298 West Washington Street, with
the meeting being open to the public and notice of said meeting, giving the date, time, place and
subject thereof, having been posted as prescribed by Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's
Texas Codes Annotated, with the following members present, to wit:
Mayor:
Mayor Pro -Tem:
Councilmembers
Others Attending:
I1:�7:� /l lr 1CIZII7��
John Moser
Barbara Terrell
Ed Horton
Marshall Shelton
Joel Hillin
Bill Corbin
Bea Marin
Rusty Jergins
Wm. H. (Bill) Stanley
Don Davis, City Administrator
Cindy L. Stafford, City Secretary
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
Mayor John Moser called the special meeting of the Stephenville City Council to
order at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 1999. Mayor Moser declared a quorum
present.
II. CONSIDER REQUEST FROM JAMES O. BACHUS TO PURCHASE
PROPERTY LOCATED ON GROESBECK STREET FROM THE CITY
Don Davis reviewed this request. This property is located near the intersection of
South Harbin and Groesbeck. The property on either side of the lot owned by the
city is owned by James Bachus. Davis explained that the property was purchased by
the city in order to accommodate the extension of South Harbin Drive. Davis
reminded the council that the City Charter provides that any property sold by the city
has to be advertised and meet specific requirements. Chapter 272 of the Local
Government Code states that property sold by a city must be advertised for sale.
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting 265 J'
III.
Exceptions to these requirements in Chapter 272 include street rights of way,
easements, or narrow strips of land which cannot be developed under the standards
set by the city. Davis said that it is his position that the exemptions provided in
Chapter 272 do not apply to the matter before the council. Davis stated that his
recommendation would be to follow the charter provisions for sale of land.
Appraisal was made of the subject property in 1995, which indicates a value of 70
cents per square foot or $3,903.20.
James Bachus spoke to the council and argued that this project does meet the criteria
for exception to Chapter 272 of the Local Government Code. Bachus quoted the
following section of the code:
Sec. 272.001(b) ... The land and those interests described by this subsection may not
be conveyed, sold, or exchanged for less than the fair market value of the land or
interest unless the conveyance, sale, or exchange is with one or more abutting
property owners who own the underlying fee simple.
Bachus stated that his contention is that because he owns property on both sides, it
allows the council to act to sell him the property without going to public auction. He
also read Sec. 272.001(b)(3) which states, "This subsection applies to land or a real
property interest originally acquired for streets, rights -of -way, or easements that the
political subdivision chooses to exchange for other land to be used for streets, rights -
of -way, easements, or other public purposes, including transactions partly for cash;"
City Attorney, Randy Thomas, advised the council to follow the procedures outlined
in the City Charter for sale of property.
Council continued with a lengthy discussion of the matter with James Bachus.
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, seconded by Barbara Terrell, to deny the request of
James Bachus and instruct staff to proceed to advertise and sell this property as
outlined in the City Charter. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
REQUEST BY CECIL FORD TO DISCUSS SEC. 10- 21(e)(4) OF THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO PROPERTY OWNED BY
HIM AT 1630 LINGLEVILLE ROAD
City Administrator Don Davis gave a history of this matter. As part of the code
enforcement program, city staff has inspected subject property and determined that
the condition of the property is in violation of the section of the Code of Ordinances
which pertains to high grass and weeds. Based on that interpretation, the property
owner, Cecil Ford, was notified in writing to correct said violation by mowing the
lot.
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting 266
Cecil Ford said that he has owned the property since 1978. Six to eight years ago he
tried to improve the property by sowing wildflowers. Ford advised that he is
claiming the "wildflower exception" to Sec. 10 -21 of the Code of Ordinances which
provides for "the cultivation of concentrated wildflowers from March 15 to August
1 of each year, provided that wildflowers are not overgrown with grass or weeds."
MOTION by Marshall Shelton, seconded by Ed Horton, to extend the period of time
that Cecil Ford should mow the property located at 1630 Lingleville Road until July
15. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
IV. CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE HDR LONG -RANGE WATER SUPPLY
STUDY AS THE CITY'S MASTER WATER PLAN
City Administrator Don Davis informed the council that the Brazos River Authority
has requested justification from the City of Stephenville for the allocation and
purchase of water from the BRA. Davis further explained that Senate Bill 1 requires
that the state have a master water plan. To accommodate that, the Water
Development Board was directed to divide the state into regions and charge those
regions with adopting master plans for the respective regions. The regions have
required the political subdivisions within the regions to adopt a plan.
MOTION by Ed Horton, seconded by Rusty Jergins, to accept the HDR Engineering,
Inc. Long -Range Water Supply Study as the city's master water plan.
MOTION TO AMEND the above motion by Wm. H. Stanley, seconded by Marshall
Shelton, to read as follows: adopt those portions of the HDR study which will
substantiate our long -term water requirement. The amendment to the motion failed
by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members Shelton and Stanley.
Noes: Council members Horton, Terrell, Hillin, Corbin, Jergins, and Marin.
The original MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members Horton, Terrell, Shelton, Hillin, Corbin, Jergins, and Marin.
Noes: Council member Stanley.
V. CONSIDER CONTRACT WITH UPPER LEON RIVER MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT
Davis updated the council by reporting that the council's negotiating team has met
several times with representatives of the Upper Leon River Municipal Water District
(ULRMWD). These members have determined the basis of the contract, and the
— respective attorneys are working on a draft. There has not been ample time to get the
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting
7
VI.
VII.
draft to the council and the Board of Directors of the ULRMWD prior to this meeting
of the City Council. Representatives from both parties contacted the Brazos River
Authority on June 11, 1999 and requested that action be deferred until the BRA's
October board meeting. The BRA has indicated by letter that they are agreeable to
postponing this matter until the October 25' meeting of the BRA board. The BRA
and representatives from this council and the ULRMWD agreed that a letter from the
two parties would be executed pledging to the BRA that both entities were
committed to purchasing the full 4,214 acre feet of water (2,714 acre feet to be
purchased by the City of Stephenville and 1,500 acre feet to be purchased by the
ULRMWD).
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, seconded by Barbara Terrell, to authorize Mayor Moser
to execute on behalf of the City of Stephenville a letter of agreement with the Upper
Leon River Municipal Water District to purchase water from the Brazos River
Authority. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED PROGRAM OF SERVICES
Council members made suggestions and offered input into the budget process as
follows:
Barbara Terrell: Safe, adequate playground equipment at City Park.
Rusty Jergins, Ed Horton, Bea Marin: Street sweeper.
Marshall Shelton: Recycling program.
Rusty Jergins: Part-time staff /technology upgrade /updating webpage. He also
mentioned that he would like to see more involvement from the boards and
commissions in the budget process.
Bill Corbin: Economic Development.
Ed Horton: Including a newsletter with the water bill; entrance /welcome signs at
main streets into the city; microfilm reader at the library; hot mix asphalt machine.
Mayor Moser: Self- propelled hot mix asphalt laying machine; speed bumps in
various parts of the community.
CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT
Davis explained that Fibergrate Composite Structures has requested the city consider
changing the fence on the common property line between Fibergrate and the airport
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting
M
from barbed wire to chain link. The city's cost will be $2,370.00; TxDOT's,
$3,025.00; and Fibergrate's, $5,000.00.
MOTION by Wm. H. Stanley, seconded by Rusty Jergins, to approve Change Order
No. 2 on the Airport Improvement Project which provides for upgrading the fence
from a five -strand barbed wire fence to a chain link fence at a cost to the city of
$2,370.00; contingent on Fibergrate and TxDOT following through on their
commitments. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
VIII. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT
Council member Marin made this report. She stated that the committee discussed the
contracts with Erath County for fire suppression and emergency medical services and
have not concluded with this matter.
MOTION by Bea Mann, seconded by Rusty Jergins, to adopt Ordinance No.
1999 -11 restricting parking on Graham Street from the north city limits to the south
city limits except in designated areas and on Washington Street from the east city
limits to the west city limits except in designated areas. MOTION CARRIED by
unanimous vote.
MOTION by Bea Marin, seconded by Rusty Jergins, to adopt Ordinance No.
1999 -12 fixing the rate of speed at 40 miles per hour on Harbin Drive from its
intersection with FM 988 to its intersection with US 377/77.
Council discussed this matter at length, with concern being expressed about certain
sections of Harbin Drive.
Motion by Ed Horton to amend the motion and except that portion of Harbin from
Washington Street south to US 377/67 which section would be set at 30 mph.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion by Joel Hillin to amend the motion and except that portion of Harbin north
from Washington Street to Turner, which section would be set at 30 mph. Motion
failed for lack of a second.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members Horton, Terrell, Shelton, Stanley, Corbin, Jergins, and
d
Marin.
Noes: Council member Hillin.
MOTION by Bea Mann, seconded by Barbara Terrell, to adopt Ordinance No.
1999 -13 extending the rate of speed of 45 miles per hour on the Northwest Loop and
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting 269
FM 988 by 0.2 of a mile west of the point where the speed limit changes from 45
mph to 55 mph. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
MOTION by Bea Marin, seconded by Marshall Shelton, to adopt Ordinance No.
1999 -14 amending city speed limits, generally, in city park and public square.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
IX. WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT
Council member Terrell reported that the committee discussed the proposed summer
usage surcharge, which was presented by staff. The present plan places a $1.00 per
thousand gallon surcharge on any consumption above 12,000 gallons for the months
of May, June, July, and August. The committee is recommending no change.
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, seconded by Marshall Shelton, to amend the Drought
Contingency Plan by changing Phase I of the plan from mandatory to voluntary and
not specifying which two days of the week a customer must water. MOTION
CARRIED by unanimous vote.
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, seconded by Barbara Terrell, to direct staff to develop
a request for proposal outlining the scope of services to carry out the Water
Implementation Plan and submit same to the Water Planning Committee for review.
MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, seconded by Bill Corbin, to negotiate a contract with Dr.
Hughbert Collier to proceed with Objective No. 5 of his report and to bring the
proposed contract to the Water Planning Committee. MOTION CARRIED by
unanimous vote.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 7:50 p.m., Mayor Moser recessed the open portion of
the meeting and called the council into executive session in compliance with the
provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Local government Code,
Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with Sec. 551.072 Deliberate the
purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
Lot 7, Block 132, City Addition, City of Stephenville, Erath County,
Texas, located at 1105 West Long.
At 8:05 p.m. Mayor Moser called the council back into open session.
XI. ACTION TAKEN ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if
necessary)
The council took no action.
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting
270
X1I. ADJOURN
MOTION by Rusty Jergins, second by Wm. H. Stanley, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried by unanimous approval at 8:07 p.m.
Q�4pqllp�
J6A Moser, Mayor
ATTEST:
_ ..�.7 -2 PON d W .Mr'.��
June 15, 1999 - Minutes of Special Meeting
271
ORDINANCE NO. 1999- 11
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, RESTRICTING PARKING
ON GRAHAM STREET FROM THE NORTH CITY LIMITS TO THE SOUTH CITY
LIMITS AND ON WASHINGTON STREET FROM THE EAST CITY LIMITS TO THE
WEST CITY LIMITS; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED
$200.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.
WHEREAS, the City of Stephenville finds that it is in the best interest of the City to restrict
parking on Graham Street due to narrow streets and high traffic volume. Parking is restricted on both
sides of Graham Street from the north city limits to the south city limits except at the following
locations:
1) On the east side of the 100 block of North Graham Street;
2) On both sides of the 100 block of South Graham Street; and
3) On the east side of the 200 block of South Graham Street; and
WHEREAS, the City of Stephenville finds that it is in the best interest of the City to restrict
parking on Washington Street due to narrow streets and high traffic volume. Parking is restricted
on both sides of Washington Street from the east city limits to the south city limits except on both
sides of the 100 block of East Washington and the 100 block of West Washington.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF STEPHENVILLE, that this no parking zone become effective as herein provided.
Section One
A no parking zone is established on both sides of Graham Street from the north city limits to
the south city limits except at the following locations:
4) On the east side of the 100 block of North Graham Street;
5) On both sides of the 100 block of South Graham Street; and
6) On the east side of the 200 block of South Graham Street; and
Section Two
A no parking zone is established on both sides of Washington Street from the east city limits
to the west city limits except on both sides of the 100 block of East Washington and the 100 block
of West Washington. Parking is prohibited in the 1400 block of West Washington for a distance of
150 feet east of the intersection with the 200 block of South Lillian from 8:00 a.m, to 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
272
Section Three
If any person violates any of the provisions of this ordinance, he shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20.00 nor more than
$200.00. Each day of each said violation shall be deemed a separate offense.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15" day of June, 1999.
Moser, Mayor
ATTEST:
AA
indy L. tafford, City V#tary
I&�
Reviewed by Donald B. Davis,
City Administrator
Approved as to form and legality
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
273
ORDINANCE NO. 1999 - 12
SPEED ZONE ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE ALTERING THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS
ESTABLISHED FOR VEHICLES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 167
AND 169 OF ARTICLE XMR.C.S. 6701d, UNIFORM ACT REGULATING
TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS, UPON THE BASIS OF AN ENGINEERING AND
TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION UPON CERTAIN STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, OR
PARTS THEREOF, WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF
STEPHENVILLE AS SET OUT IN THE ORDINANCE: AND PROVIDING A
PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THEIS
ORDINANCE.
WHEREAS, Section 167 and 169 of Article XIX, R.C.S. 6701d, Uniform Act Regulating
Traffic on Highways, provides that whenever the governing body of the City shall
determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any prima facie
speed therein set forth is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions
found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a street or highway,
with the City taking into consideration the width and condition of the pavement and other
circumstances on such portion of said street or highway, as well as the usual traffic
thereon, said governing body may determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima
facie speed limit there at or thereon by the passage of an ordinance, which shall be
effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersection or
other place or part of the street or highway, now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE,
TEXAS:
Section 1. Upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation heretofore made as
authorized by the provisions of Section 167 and 169 of Article XIX, R.C.S. 6701d,
Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways, the following prima facie speed limits
hereafter indicated for vehicles are hereby determined and declared to be reasonable and
safe; and such speed limits are hereby fixed at the rate of speed indicated for vehicles
traveling upon the named streets and highways, or parts thereof, described as follows:
Control & Section': 1990 - 001
Street: Harbin Drive
County: Erath
Harbin Drive is zoned at 40 miles per hour from FM 988 to US 377/67.
Section 2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not more
than two hundred dollars ($200.00).
This ordinance modifies previous ordinances pertaining to the above - referenced highway.
274
PASSED and APPROVED this 15th day of June 1999.
ATTEST:
Cindy L. ord,
City &9n
Reviewed by Donald B. Davis
a'—
Approved as to form and legality
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
275
ORDINANCE NO. 1999 -13
SPEED ZONE ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE ALTERING THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS
ESTABLISHED FOR VEHICLES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 167
AND 169 OF ARTICLE XIX,R.C.S. 6701d, UNIFORM ACT REGULATING
TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS, UPON THE BASIS OF AN ENGINEERING AND
TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION UPON CERTAIN STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, OR
PARTS THEREOF, WITHIN THE CORPORATE LEMTS OF THE CITY OF
STEPHENVILLE AS SET OUT IN THE ORDINANCE: AND PROVIDING A
PENALTY OF A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THEIS
ORDINANCE.
WHEREAS, Section 167 and 169 of Article XM R.C.S. 6701d, Uniform Act Regulating
Traffic on Highways, provides that whenever the governing body of the City shall
determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any prima facie
speed therein set forth is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions
found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a street or highway,
with the City taking into consideration the width and condition of the pavement and other
circumstances on such portion of said street or highway, as well as the usual traffic
thereon, said governing body may determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima
facie speed limit there at or thereon by the passage of an ordinance, which shall be
effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersection or
other place or part of the street or highway, now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE,
TEXAS: '
Section 1. Upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation heretofore made as
authorized by the provisions of Section 167 and 169 of Article XM R.C.S. 6701d,
Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways, the following prima facie speed limits
hereafter indicated for vehicles are hereby determined and declared to be reasonable and
safe; and such speed limits are hereby fixed at the rate of speed indicated for vehicles
traveling upon the named streets and highways, or parts thereof, described as follows:
Control & Section: 1990 - 001
Street: FM 988
County: Erath
MP 2.024 east 0.831 miles to MP 1.193 zoned at 55 MPH
MP 1.193 east 1.193 miles to MP 0.000 zoned at 45 MPH
Section 2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not more
than two hundred dollars ($200.00).
This ordinance modifies previous ordinances pertaining to the above - referenced highway.
PASSED and APPROVED this 15th day of dune 1999.
/A/T/jTEST:
AAI �-v( zi V '
Reviewed by Donald B. Davis
Approved as to form and legality
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
277
ORDINANCE NO. 1999-14
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, AMENDING CITY SPEED LINHTS;
GENERALLY, IN CITY PARK AND PUBLIC SQUARE, AND PROVIDING A PENALTY OF A FINE NOT
TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.
Whereas, the City of Stephenville finds that it is in the best interest of the City to amend the existing speed
ordinance Sec. 13 -6 subsection (b) to read "or by city ordinance" at the end of the last sentence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS:
Section One
That Section 13 -6 City speed limits; in city park and public square. Subsection (b) is amended to read as
follows:
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle on any street within the
corporate limits of the City of Stephenville at a greater rate of speed than thirty (30) miles per hour, unless a different
speed limit has been fixed by state regulations, or by city ordinance.
Section Two
If any person violates any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20.00 nor more than $200.00. Each day of each said violation
shall be deemed a separate offense.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15t' day of June, 1999.
9
o Moser, Mayor
ATTEST:
c
Cindy L. fford, Ci
Reviewed by Donald B.
City Administrator
Approved as to form and legali ty
Randy Thomas, City Attorney
i
Collier Consulting, Ine.
741 West College St.
Stephenville, Texas 76401
C(3) Office: (254) 968-8721 Fax: (254) 968-8725
www.colherconsulting.com
A STUDY OF THE TRINITY WATER LEVEL IN THE STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS AREA
Introduction
Collier Consulting, Inc. was hired by the City of Stephenville on February 25,
1999 to accomplish the following objectives:
Construct a Winter 1999 water level map of the Trinity aquifer in Erath County
as it pertains to the water supply for the City of Stephenville.
2. Evaluate the trend in the water level of the Trinity aquifer in Erath County during
the past 40+ years.
3. Set up a system of monitoring wells for the Trinity aquifer in Erath County.
4. Recommend locations in the areas of the City well fields for two new production
wells.
5. Provide an outline of additional work that needs to be done (e.g. subsurface
mapping of the aquifer in the county, a schedule for water level monitoring and
water quality sampling).
6. Assist the City with securing a grant to fund future work, including the
construction of monitoring wells.
The project started February 26. Over the next few weeks, local water well
drillers were interviewed and all agreed to assist with providing information critical to
the project. Access to the City of Stephenville well files and well sites was coordinated
through Danny Johnson and Bob Self. The study concluded on May 24, 1999 with a
report to the Water Planning Committee of the Stephenville City Council.
Methodology
Selection of Wells for Water Level Measurements
Water levels were measured during the period of March 4,1999 to April 30,1999.
Wells we were familiar with and wells suggested by local drillers were measured first.
PAMfi 4F—XM
of Stephenville Brown and Taylor South wells while they were out of service. Three
pump tests were also performed on these two wells.
Historic Water Level Data
Historic water level data were obtained from the Texas Water Development
Board database, Guyton reports, and City of Stephenville files. The TWDB data was
already in a digital format which required some format changes.
The City of Stephenville data was available as hard copy only. The data were
not in a readily usable format.
A representative portion of the data for all City of Stephenville wells was entered
into a spreadsheet. The following criteria were used to select data for the
spreadsheet:
1. All measurements made while a well was pumping were excluded.
2. For a particular year, summer measurements were excluded if winter
measurements were available.
3. The earliest and the most recent static measurements, regardless of time
of the year, were included.
4. A representative sample of measurements for the years between the
earliest and most recent data was included.
5. Water level measurements were usually taken with an air line, so any
notes on airline lengths and changes in lengths were included.
6. Any notes about the measurement being non - stable were included.
The depth to water was calculated when not included in the file: air line length -
water above air line. When not included in the file, water above air line was
calculated based on gauge psi measurements. Usually, there was no notation in the
file concerning how long the well had been shut off prior to the water level
measurement. Well name and state well number inconsistencies were reconciled with
Mr. Johnson.
Hydrographs
Sixty -nine hydrographs (graphs of water level measurements versus time) were
created. Hydrographs were made for all City of Stephenville wells (30 wells), TWDB
wells with several years worth of water level measurements (19 wells), and any well
measured in 1999 by TWDB or Collier Consulting that had historical data (20 wells).
SUBSEA TRINITY WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS. This map is a
potentiometric surface map of the Trinity aquifer. Potential Trinity monitoring
wells are also identified.
TRINITY WATER LEVEL CHANGES: STEPHENVILLE AREA. This map
includes all wells for which hydrographs were prepared. The time span of the
water level change is also plotted. This is especially important for interpreting
the map. Wells with a 1999 water level measurement and a measurement prior
to 1973 are highlighted in yellow. These wells are the best indicators of the long
term change in the water level.
TRINITY WATER LEVEL CHANGES: CITY. This map is an enlargement of the
City of Stephenville area.
Spreadsheets
Three spreadsheets are included in this report: TWDB database, City of
Stephenville wells, and 1999 Collier Consulting wells are included. TWDB publication
UM -50 describes the fields in the TWDB spreadsheet and is included with this report
as a separate document. A document included in this report, Field Descriptions for
1999 Trinity Water Level Measurements Spreadsheet, describes the other two
spreadsheets. Refer to the 1983 and 1994 Guyton reports for the wells used in those
studies.
Conclusions
Objective 1. Construct a Winter 1999 water level map of the Trinity aquifer in
Erath County as it pertains to the water supply for the City of
Stephenville.
The map, SUBSEA TRINITY WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS, shows
the regional trend of the potentiometric surface of the Trinity aquifer.
There are small aberations in the contours in the areas of the Highway 67
and Alexander Road well fields, indicating localized cones of depression.
Objective 2. Evaluate the trend in the water level of the Trinity aquifer in Erath
County during the past 40+ years.
The hydrographs and the maps, TRINITY WATER LEVEL CHANGES:
STEPHENVILLE AREA, and TRINITY WATER LEVEL CHANGES: CITY
solution to the growing public demands for affordable, high quality
drinking water. Collier Consulting Inc. recommends that these areas be
addressed in an expedient manner:
A system of monitoring needs to be installed (see Objective 3
above). No matter what the source of Stephenville's future water
supply, all studies completed to date for the City indicate that
groundwater will continue to be used.
2. The Trinity Aquifer sands should be mapped across the county.
This can be accomplished by utilizing the monitoring well
geophysical logs referred to above, as well as geophysical logging
of other private wells that are drilled through time. The water level
can then be placed in relation to the sand bodies.
3. The pump test data gathered during this study needs to be
analyzed.
4. The remaining historic City of Stephenville water level data needs
to entered into a digital spreadsheet. City staff can then add new
measurements to this spreadsheet.
Objective 6. Assist the City with securing a grant to fund future work, including
the construction of monitoring wells.
No immediate funding sources for future study or development of the
aquifer were identified. State and federal funding sources were
investigated: EPA, USDA, and TWDB. TWDB personnel did stress that
Stephenville's water needs should be articulated to the regional water
planning committee, so that future TWDB funding programs will include
subjects that encompass Stephenville's needs.
Hughbert Collier
May 24, 1999