PORT NECHES — City leaders in Port Neches continue to plan ahead as they look toward their Five Year Capital Improvement Plan.

“As you go through this you will note a significant amount of expenditures,” City Manager Andrè Wimer told councilmembers during Thursday’s meeting.

The Five Year Capital Improvement Program for the fiscal years 2016 through 2020 identified projects and expenditures totaling $12,676,200. They include projects for water treatment and storage, water distribution system, water treatment, wastewater collection system, street improvements and facilities.

“The CIP is a planning document,” Wimer reminded councilmembers, adding the document will be up for vote during the next scheduled meeting.

The plan includes $1.9 million for water treatment and storage, $1.3 million for water distribution system, $3.3 million for wastewater treatment, $1.7 million for wastewater collection system, $2.1 million for street improvements and $2.1 million for facilities.

A majority of the work is tentatively planned for 2017 and Wimer anticipates the city issuing debt to cover the cost.

In other business, council approved closing a portion of Port Neches Avenue from Nall Street to the Post Office entrance on Saturday, Oct. 17 for an Art walk on the Avenue event. The event is set for 2 to 6 p.m.

Council also approved, after an executive session, a revised agreement with the city attorney — Bradley, Steele and Pierce LLP.

The hourly rate will move from $175 per hour to $225 per hour — a rate that has stayed the same since 2007, Wimer said. The monthly retainer will remain the same at $2,750 per month.

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