Dependable internet a HSB goal
Horseshoe Bay officials learned about the details needed to improve local internet coverage at their Tuesday, March 20, meeting.
The officials also received a briefing from the Cultural Enrichment Society and received good news on the city's finances.
BAC
The Broadband Advisory Committee, which consists of JJ Guy, Frank Gracely Jr., Frank Hosea, Christopher Williston, and Nick Summitt, presented their report after more than 200-man hours of meetings and engagements with all current and potential technology providers.
The committee's top goal of its long-range plan is to increase (some would say “provide”) dependable internet access to all homes with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern activity.
This committee looked for all options but have determined wireless providers cannot offer the kind of deep internet provision needed. Wired (direct connect through fiber, cable, or DSL) are needed for quality service.
Several obstacles emerged:
* Minimal services are in place (some cable through Northland, some service through Frontier) but providers cost prohibited from expansion;
* Large providers will not take on cost of our granite topography with limited population;
* No conduits are currently in place for any provider to use to run fiber/cable.
The BAC noted this was the beginning and full out efforts will move forward.
Immediate recommendations were: to ensure any new neighborhoods/homes have conduit installed to begin the grid process; any city roadwork involving trenching should provide for PVC conduit to be installed to further expand the gridding process.
CES
In public comments, Mike Maine updated the trustees on the progress of the Cultural Enrichment Society (CES).
“CES is devoted to bringing 'high class, quality entertainment, music, and stimulating lecturers' in our own backyard,” Maine said.
He announced two huge musical kickoff performances aware planned (with opportunity for social hour and dancing) already for the coming season.
For details on tickets, volunteering, and donation, go to the websit www.hsbenrichment.org
Reagan Lambert shared his awareness of a group to be forming a “Hear a Siren, Say a Prayer” program similar to those in other communities. The group will be forming a 501(c)3 to raise funds and awareness with a kick off effort forthcoming.
Clean audit
The firm of Neffendorf & Knopp, P.C., presented Horseshoe Bay officials with a 2017 Audited Financial Report and declared the city's finances to be “funny unqualified,” the top rating.
The presentation revealed the city to be in solid financial standing, using sound fiscal practices, and honoring all state/federal requirements.
Proclamations, presentations
Several proclamations were issued at the meeting, including:
* Horseshoe Bay Mayor Steve Jordan issued a proclamation declarying April 2018 as “National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month”;
* Jordan and Horseshoe Bay Property Owners Association President Maine also declared April 22 as “Earth Day.”
Maine encouraged all to come join the festivities at the POA on April 19 for Earth Day activities – among them the annual shredding of paper and new safe technology disposal.
The Mayor reminded all to “pick up a little” along the neighborhood byways as the City does its part on major corridors to keep trash from detracting – especially with wildflower season here.
The “Harvey Team” (Capt. Josh Wimberly, Lt. Ben Miller, and Eng. Jacob Esquivel) was selected as the Hill Country 100 Firefighters of the year for their volunteer efforts along the coast following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
