Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission
Tuesday’s meeting has a short agenda with two business items. However, many residents are expected to attend and speak during public comment about their experiences during the tornado and the city’s response.
Some residents have criticized the city’s response to the storm, including coordination of volunteers and distribution of resources.
Mayor Angel Johnston told Watershed Voice during a phone call on Monday, March 9, discussing the city’s tornado response, that she is frustrated with City Manager Joe Bippus.
“I think it’s time for a new city manager and I’m not afraid to say it,” Johnston said. “That’s what I will probably be saying repeatedly on Tuesday night.”
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, March 17 at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chamber at City Hall.
The meeting will be the commission’s first since a tornado struck Three Rivers and neighboring communities on Friday, March 6. Cleanup and recovery efforts are ongoing across the city.
Tuesday’s meeting has a short agenda with two business items. However, many residents are expected to attend and speak during public comment about their experiences during the tornado and the city’s response.
The meeting will also include an emergency management briefing related to the tornado response, according to the agenda packet.
Some residents have criticized the city’s response to the storm, including coordination of volunteers and distribution of resources.
Mayor Angel Johnston told Watershed Voice during a phone call on Monday, March 9, discussing the city’s tornado response, that she is frustrated with City Manager Joe Bippus.
“I think it’s time for a new city manager and I’m not afraid to say it,” Johnston said. “That’s what I will probably be saying repeatedly on Tuesday night.”
Johnston has repeatedly criticized Bippus at recent commission meetings and has pushed to move forward with his performance evaluation.
Business items
The commission will consider two business items at Tuesday’s meeting: a design services contract for Middle Street water service replacements and a fireworks permit for the Three Rivers Water Festival.
As part of the Middle Street improvements project, the city plans to replace lead water service lines before future roadway work and is seeking engineering design services to assist with the replacement process, according to the agenda packet.
Commissioners will consider approving the use of $16,500 from the water fund balance and authorizing payment to Fleis & VandenBrink for design and bidding services for the Middle Street water service replacements.
The proposal outlines several project phases including design, bidding and construction, with construction anticipated to begin in September 2026.
Commissioners will also consider approving a fireworks permit for a display scheduled for June 20, 2026 at 10:15 p.m. as part of the city’s annual Water Festival. The rain date for the fireworks show would be June 21.
City staff said the permit would have no financial impact on the city.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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