The Lampasas City Council at its recent meeting discussed a possible license agreement with Austin Sonics LLC for an alley behind the existing Sonic Drive-In restaurant. Austin Sonics plans to tear down the eatery to build a larger drivethrough restaurant.

Under a license agreement, the city would maintain ownership of and access to water, sewer and gas utilities in the alley.

No permanent structures will be built in the alley.

"I think a license agreement where we keep control of the utilities is a good agreement," City Manager Michael Stoldt said. "As a rule, if we want to see bigger-name stores on Key Avenue, we're going to have to do things like this more often."

The council will hold a public hearing and possibly take action Monday. Construction on the new Sonic is expected to last 60 to 90 days, Austin Sonics representative John Patton said.

In other business, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a letter of understanding between the city and Kempner Water Supply Corp. for limited KWSC service in Sunrise Hills subdivision. The letter formalizes an arrangement under which KWSC will serve the subdivision's real estate office and an unplatted lot until the city is able to supply adequate water to the sites.

In another item, the council unanimously OK'd the $8,478 purchase of two video recording systems for police motorcycles. The council also approved the expenditure of $7,511 from the Lampasas Police Department's seized funds account for three radars.

In addition, the council accepted a grant of $83,298 from the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. The grant -- to be used at all-hazards events by the Lampasas Fire Department and the police department -- includes $23,166 for 13 portable VHF radios, $28,934 for a VHF repeater system and $5,560 for police patrol jackets.

The grant also provides $10,105 for hazardous material suits, gloves and boots; $10,311 for an all-terrain vehicle; $997 for a trailer; and $3,625 for an ice machine for the fire department.

In other business, the City Council voted 6-0 to appoint Councilman Robert McCauley to the Lampasas County Water Control and Improvements District No. 1 Board, which maintains 10 floodcontrol dams on the Sulphur Creek watershed.

In his report to the council, Stoldt said the city has reached an agreement to obtain the final utility easement needed to extend water and sewer service to the new Lampasas High School campus.

In its final item for the night, the council voted 6-0, with Councilman Evan Stubbs abstaining, to nominate Bill Cofield to fill a vacancy on the Lampasas County Appraisal District's Board of Directors.