Kyle City Council hears a misting system proposal

KYLE — At its July 18 meeting, Kyle City Council heard an item about installing a potential misting system at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park.

The misting system came to council’s attention after council member Daniella Parsley sent an email to City Manager Brian Langley about concerns for residents in the intense summer heat.

“We have events that we hold at this park very often, like market days. It was really an idea to try to have something to cool not only our vendors, but people that visit the park,” Parsley said.

Currently, staff have added water igloos, cooling tents with misters inside and fans to parks during special events.

Parks and Recreation Director Mariana Espinoza provided city council with unofficial price estimates based off of El Capitan, the largest and most expensive misting system available to them; therefore, prices would vary. There would be a one-time purchase fee of $32,000 for all four quadrants of the park and a one-time purchase fee of $8,000 if only the promenade — the walkway that runs through the middle of the field — was misted. There would also be ongoing maintenance fees.

Water usage was an immediate concern for council members, as the promenade would use four gallons per minute or 16 gallons per minute for the entire park.

“I am not in favor of doing this. We barred water last year; this year, we’re in an extreme drought … If we had the water, this would be the way I would want to go, [but we don’t],” explained council member Yvonne Flores-Cale.

The system would be seasonal during the warmer months, but available year-round and  turned off and on at the city’s discretion. The ideal times would be during peak heat hours or events, so residents visiting could stay cool.

“Those misters provide incredible relief to folks and it makes the outdoor space more enjoyable, but I do understand that there might be fear to start a program like this in the middle of the drought even though [during one, we] wouldn’t run them,” said Mayor Travis Mitchell. “It’s hot all year round; we’re not in drought all year round and if we are, we don’t have to use them during that time.”

Although he understands that residents need to be cooled, council member Michael Tobias stressed that education is also an important factor.

“We could provide some kind of protocols where we have cooling tents and fans, but I also want to make sure that the people are hydrated themselves … It is hot, I understand that, but having this misting system would cost money and would it be the best interest to be using this especially during drought[s]?” said Tobias. “I think it’s just a matter of educating the public and saying, ‘If you’re going to be out there, make sure you bring water, make sure you wear clothing that’s not so heavy, wear light colors and take the necessary precaution if you’re going to be outside.'”

Many council members agreed that it is terribly hot outside, but no action was taken and the system, currently, will not be purchased or installed due to the drought and cost.