Karnes City will be working on upgrading firefighting infrastructure at the local high school and junior high in the coming months as they prepare to start construction on their new park in October, according to discussion at the town’s regular city meeting July 25.

Fire service near both schools has been in dire need of an upgrade for about 10 years, and Mayor Don Tymrak said the area should not be neglected any longer.

"It really kind of stung me," he said, referring to when he heard the problem had not been taken care of. "We (council members) sort of went to sleep on it, assuming it was being handled."

Karnes City Fire Chief Charlie Malik had sent several memos to city leaders over the years explaining the area did not have sufficient water flow. In case of a fire, firefighters may not be able to pump enough water fast enough to prevent a major loss to the school.

There are only two hydrants that service the high school – one at the north end of the football field and another at the entrance to the band hall – and there is no hydrant on the junior high side.

Water pressure also is a problem. Though the fire department carries two 1,000-foot hoses that could reach the junior high, the water pressure won’t be enough to effectively fight a fire by the time water has traveled that far.

City Administrator Larry Pippen said he will take a look at budget numbers and see what can be done, and noted he’d like to include the upgrade project with a grant he plans to get the city in about two months.

The city will be looking at their new budget cycle in the coming months, and Tymrak promised the project will be looked at during the process.

Meanwhile, Pippen is working to complete the final design specs on the park project, and plans to advertise for bids some time in August.

Construction will begin officially in October, assuming agreeable bids come back to the city. June 1, 2007 will be the planned completion date. Pippen noted he still needs help from parks board members and volunteers in order to fit the project inside the tight timeline.

City council members also heard from their utility department manger Israel Hernandez, who oversees operations for Karnes City carried out by private utility company Veolia Water.

Hernandez will be retiring from his position at Veolia Water in the next two or three months, and will be training a replacement during that time. Council members thanked him for his service to the city and wished him well.