Mertzon City Council February 2 2026
- G. Noelke
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
A. Agenda Analysis
Executive session, item 5: This is the same language used at several of the Council's recent meetings.
Detention pond, item 6: The 2024 IC ISD bond package included money for 2 flood control projects. One is currently under construction at 4th and W. Fleming. The second is this one along 2nd Street between Juanita and Fayette. The walls of the one at 4th and W. Fleming will range from 3 to 5 feet. Detention vs Retention ponds: IC ISD has known about the flooding problem in this area for some while now. Then Supt. Brian Grey, the architect of the 2019 bond package, asserted that the District could solve the flooding problem by putting in a pond where the water would be stored. (He said it could even be used by the kids as a place to fish.) Well, storing water creates a "retention" pond and brings with it all sorts of regulatory and safety issues. This won't be a place for the children to fish. This will be a detention pond that is intended for stormwater to be slowed down as it passes on to lower elevations. If constructed properly, it will remain dry most of the year. If the Council is addressing the depth of the walls, I suppose this raises the question of where the walls will be placed - on IC ISD property or on the City's right of way? This is an essential question because flood barriers and berms and the like are not maintenance free. This isn't a one and done public works project. As the District continues to grow its capital plant, and all indications are that a larger tax base is on the way with the new Eiger pipeline, the District is likely going to direct even more stormwater into this area. The District is going to be once again tempted to go out for another bond in just a few short years because it’s tax base is going to balloon from the pipeline. (The pipeline will track the existing Matterhorn pipeline and will be even larger in diameter.) The City and the District should both assume in time that additional water will flow into this detention project. They should avoid the Grand Mistake by planning ahead for additional costs down the road for maintenance, upkeep and, yes, more stormwater.
B. Meeting Review
Here are the meeting documents.
Public comments, item 4: The incumbent candidate for the Justice of the Peace position spoke briefly and apologized for putting his campaign signs in the right of way. He also thanked the Council for not destroying the signs and for not prosecuting him. He did not mention his opponent's name, nor did he make any accusations in her direction. See my commentary below for a bit more on this issue.
Detention pond, item 6: The Council is playing it straight and narrow on this issue. They don't want to advise IC ISD on anything flood project related because, one, they don't have any particular expertise in these types of public works projects and, two, they don't want to risk legal liability down the road. The issue and a request to IC ISD to attend may be placed on the next meeting agenda to answer their questions about the impact of the project on the adjacent streets.
Executive session: none.
Admin report, item 7: A complaint has been made to the City regarding the dilapidated state of the historic 2 story hotel downtown across from Mertzon Meat. City staff is evaluating the City’s abandoned buildings ordinance, or, really, the lack thereof.
Misc: Mayor Pro Tem Lindley lead the meeting as Mayor Stewart was out.
C. Commentary
The Oncor 765 kV transmission line deadline to intervene is February 16. Go here for information from the Edward’s Plateau Alliance. There is also a box of information at the MB Noelke Jr Library in Mertzon. The Livestock Weekly is also doing a a good job at keeping folks informed. And you can go to this LCRA page to search for the route.
Here are the potential routes through Irion County.
This line will devastate local ranch land and the scenic beauty of our area. Please get involved and oppose this project. You do not have to be a landowner to file an objection with the PUC.
More on the sign battles: Stand up, take your lump and get off the stage. That's the approach that was taken at this meeting by the opponent to the events at last week's public comments. I am weary of candidates and office holders constantly blaming someone else. Owning up to mistakes is a forgotten art among our elected leaders and candidates for public office. Why is that?
Note: Election Day is March 3. I am not making any endorsements.
There, I said it: A&M University's announcement last week that it was getting rid of it's women studies program because it doesn’t comply with their DEI policies is about as misogynist as it gets. Good grief!
Copyright 2025 G. Noelke