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City crews went into action when Winter Storm Mara hit Elgin and aren’t done yet.
Elgin city staff and officials have reviewed work by city staff and others during the February ice storm. An initial assessment was examined by the City Council Feb. 14.
“It was all hands on deck for the entire staff,” said City Manager Tom Mattis. “Everybody in the Public Works Department was focused on this effort.”
Winter Storm Mara blew through Bastrop County and much of the U.S. Jan. 31-Feb. 3. Power outages, icy roads, freezing rain and temperatures, and downed trees forced closures and effectively kept residents home for days. Mayor Theresa McShan issued a disaster declaration Feb. 6.
As of Feb. 11, the city’s Development Services department waived fees for 32 electrical trades permits in the wake of the storm. Fee waivers for building or trades permits applications related to Mara were also offered but had yet to be received.
For the full discussion from the Feb. 14 City Council meeting, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP7qV9zsyac.
Tree limbs
During the storm, 22 employees from utilities, parks, grounds, right of way, and building and maintenance worked until 10 p.m. Feb. 1-2, until 6 p.m. Feb. 3, and five worked Saturday, Feb.4, clearing trees from roadways.
The city reports that crews collected 1,560 cubic yards of debris Feb. 6-10 to clear all roadways and alleys to make passable. Public works also responded to 37 calls from residents about dangerous trees.
Help came from Bastrop County’s Precinct 4 office, which loaned its chipper to Elgin for four days. Lone Star Incident Management Team for Texas A&M Forest Service, which cut hazardous trees and consolidated debris at parks away from sidewalks and playground areas.
City crew cleanup of rights of way and parks is estimated at three to four weeks. Residents are responsible for debris on their property but can place brush and limbs between their curb and sidewalk if it’s three feet long or less and does not protrude into the sidewalk or street. Limbs and brush should not be placed in alleys. The maximum length for limbs is 15 feet.
“City crew cleanup of right of way and parks is estimated at three to four weeks,” said city staff in a press relase. “When the city is staffed and ready to begin processing trees and limbs we will provide an updated schedule. This curbside pickup Winter Storm Mara tree and limb removal is provided free of charge.”
For more information on tree limb removal guidelines, visit https://www.elgintexas.gov/1065/newsemergency-updates.
More resources
Information about Winter Storm Mara City programs and community resources are available in English and Spanish at the Elgin Recreation Center, 361 Hwy 95 North; in the window at Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St.; Advocacy Outreach, 202 Depot St.; at http://www.elgintexas.gov.
