Three Rivers City Commission approves $700K airport fuel system project, pauses board appointments
Commissioners had two board appointments on the agenda originally; however, they removed them before the meeting started due to an inconsistency between state and local laws.
“In a recent review of our appointment process, I discovered inconsistencies between state law, charter information published on the city’s website, and certain board bylaws,” Mayor Angel Johnston said. “As a result, some past appointments under both current and prior leadership may not fully align with our governing requirements. So [City Attorney] TJ Reed and I spent some time on the phone today and I’m recommending that we temporarily pause new appointments while staff conducts a comprehensive review.”
The Three Rivers City Commission met for its first regular business meeting of the month yesterday, March 3, and received its yearly Planning Commission report, approved an airport fuel system replacement more than $250K over its originally budgeted amount, and signed a new city-wide mowing contract with an external company. The meeting can be watched in full on Watershed Voice’s YouTube channel.
City Planner John Beebe presented the City Commission with the Planning Commission’s annual report. The report outlined the board’s planning, zoning, and development work over the past year.
According to the report, the commission held 12 meetings in 2025 and completed the city’s updated 2025 Master Plan, which includes goals related to downtown development, housing and neighborhoods, recreation and river access, community aesthetics, and transportation connectivity. Commissioners also reviewed five site plans during the year and recommended approval of two special exception use permits to the City Commission, including projects such as a dental office and a planned neighborhood development.
The report also highlighted zoning ordinance amendments focused on veterans housing, recurring special use permits, and potential zoning changes tied to the master plan. Planning commissioners also participated in multiple trainings and community engagement efforts connected to the master plan update and development review process.
City Commissioners approved a city-wide mowing contract with YardTech LLC for $108,655 annually for 2026, 2027, and 2028.
During discussion, Mayor Angel Johnston questioned why the city would pay such a large sum for mowing and inquired why the work isn’t done “in-house” with current city staff.
Director of Public Services Amy Roth outlined that city employees are on staff because of the skill sets they possess, and the city would miss out on the ability to utilize those skill sets if they were reassigned to mowing. Roth also said the city does not have all the necessary equipment needed to complete the mowing itself.
“This is a skillset we can contract out while the rest of the department focuses on their skills,” Roth said.
The contract is split into two parts, Part A totaling $73,410 and Part B totaling $38,965. Commissioners unanimously approved the contracts with YardTech LLC.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a $700K purchase for an airport fuel system replacement, which includes removal of an underground storage tank and installation of an above-ground storage tank. Contracts from the lowest bidder, Oscar W. Larson Co., for both parts of the project were approved. The task was originally budgeted at $525K, so commissioners also approved an additional $225K from the general fund balance’s “unallocated funds” to cover the difference.
Other business
Farrand Hall’s downtown diner was added to the city’s Social District. The diner opened in February and has since obtained its liquor license.
Commissioners had two board appointments on the agenda originally; however, they removed them before the meeting started due to an inconsistency between state and local laws. Johnston issued a statement on the matter.
“In a recent review of our appointment process, I discovered inconsistencies between state law, charter information published on the city’s website, and certain board bylaws. As a result, some past appointments under both current and prior leadership may not fully align with our governing requirements. So [City Attorney] TJ Reed and I spent some time on the phone today and I’m recommending that we temporarily pause new appointments while staff conducts a comprehensive review,” Mayor Johnston said, in part.
“Our volunteers deserve clear guidance, and our community deserves governance that is consistent and lawful, and taking this step now will help strengthen both.”
Johnston clarified with Watershed Voice that future appointments will be paused and a number of past appointments will have to be reviewed and potentially revised. While there are a number of cases to be considered with different details, Johnston outlined a couple cases of board positions that legally require members to live in the city limits; however, they do not.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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