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CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 4, 2006 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Clay Walker called the regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilman Brown moved to adjourn to executive session in accordance with Texas Government Code 551.071, consultation with attorney regarding pending litigation. Councilman Crouch seconded the motion. There was no one present to speak to the issue. The vote was unanimous. The following council members and staff were present:
Mayor Clay Walker Mayor Pro Tem Freddie Taylor Councilman Joe Crouch Councilman Larry Powers Councilwoman Yolanda Williams Councilman Chris Brown
Absent: Councilman Garry Jordan
Staff: Marc Maxwell, City Manager Gale Roberts, City Secretary Jim McLeroy, City Attorney Johnny Vance, Dir. Community Development Peter Karstens, Finance Director Jim Bayuk, Chief of Police Craig Vaughn, Director of Utilities Gordon Frazier, Director Human Resources Sharon Ricketson, Interim Director of Library Services
PLEDGE AND INVOCATION Mayor Walker led in the pledge to the flag and Mayor Pro Tem Taylor led the invocation.
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION TO CINDY SMITHA proclamation was presented to Cindy Smith to recognize her efforts with the hurricane Katrina evacuees. Ms. Smith worked tirelessly to insure the evacuees had a place to live, utilities, furniture, linens, food, medical services, and various other necessities while developing a professional, positive and caring relationship with each evacuee.
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEKA proclamation was presented to Sharon Ricketson, Interim Director of Library Services, recognizing April 2 – 8, 2006, as National Library Week and encouraging all residents to take advantage of the wonderful library available and thank their librarians and library workers for making information accessible to all who walk through the library’s doors.
MANAGER’S REPORTCOOPER LAKE – What a difference a storm makes. Cooper Lake rose 7 feet last month putting the elevation at 432.85 above sea level. The elevation at full is 440 feet above sea level. The lake is still 7 feet low.
Lake Sulphur Springs is full.
WOODBRIDGE - This reconstruction project is nearing completion. This year we are reconstructing 1,200 feet of street segments in the Woodbridge addition at an estimated cost of $120,000. This will complete most of the streets in the southern half of the addition. Most of the streets in the northern half of the addition have been replaced as well. HIGHWAY 11 UTILITY RELOCATION – TXDOT is preparing to widen SH 11 south from WalMart to FM 1870. We have water utilities in the TXDOT SH 11 right-of-way. We must now move those utilities to make way for the highway improvements. This is the 3rd time we have had to move perfectly good utilities to make room for TXDOT highway improvements. This year’s relocation project will cost an estimated $100,600. Next year we will do it all over again in preparation for the SH 11 by-pass project, the new highway segment to be constructed between WalMart and SH 19. In this case we will be relocating utilities along State Highway 19 to make way for the wider approaches to the new highway segment. This relocation project will cost an estimated $250,200. There is a lesson to be learned in all of this. Installing utilities in TXDOT rights-of-way may be less expensive at the time of construction, but in the end it may be much more costly. Acquiring utility easements from property owners doesn’t usually increase the cost of the project much. Usually when we undertake a water or sewer reconstruction project it is because the old utilities are so bad that most property owners are pleased to have better utility service, and they will usually grant a utility easement for a nominal fee. In recent years, when given a choice between placing new utilities in a TXDOT easement or acquiring a utility easement from private property owners, we have chosen the latter. Examples of such projects would include a 24-inch high service water line, the proposed Highway 11 Bypass, along Shannon Drive, and along industrial drive. FINANCIAL REPORT - Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures. CLAIMS AND ACCIDENTS – We had no worker’s compensation claims in March, but four liability claims were filed with our risk pool, TML. Two citizens stepped into water meter boxes in separate incidents, one homeowner ad a sewer overflow in his home, and one motorist struck a pothole that was created by a utility repair. All of the claims are pending with TML. MISCELLANEOUS – Elsewhere around the City, employees: · Made 20 street repairs. · Swept 166 streets. · Repaired various stop signs. · Conducted 34 health inspections and 81 public nuisance inspections. · Conducted 27 building inspections, 55 electrical inspections, 56 plumbing inspections, 23 mechanical inspections and issued 25 building permits. · Performed various concrete repairs on Davis, College, Locust, Spence, Azalea, Davis, Peach, Plano and Jefferson streets. · Repaired the JetA Fuel pump and both fuel trucks at the airport. · Conducted an airport users meeting. · Purchased 10.83 acres of land adjacent to the airport. · Conferred with engineers regarding the taxiway/runway resurfacing project. · Began redesign of tourism web site. · Met with downtown merchants to develop tourism strategies. · Repaired roof at Grays building. · Hosted 2 baseball/softball tournaments. · Repaired #1 and #2 filters at wastewater treatment plant. · Repaired school crossing lights. · Repaired sludge basin at wastewater treatment plant. · Began minor sewer line replacement project on 9th Street. · Completed a minor sewer replacement project near Water Oak School. · Replaced 2 manholes and installed one new manhole. · Unstopped 73 sewer mains. · Repaired 28 water line ruptures. · Replaced 15 water meters. · Cleaned 49,600 feet of sewer mains. · Repaired chlorine hoist at wastewater treatment pant and conducted training on operation of same. · Performed preventative maintenance on all lift stations. · Repaired wind damage at water treatment plant. · Opened floodgates at Lake Sulphur Springs for 28 hours. · Attended 2 meetings with the City of Irving and the North Texas Municipal Water District regarding pumping practices at Cooper Lake. · Served 2,686 meals to senior citizens. · Hosted club activities for 12 clubs at the Senior Citizen Center with a total attendance of 1,840. · Responded to 102 fire/rescue calls. · Conducted 58 fire inspections. · Kept a fire watch on the library for one night after patrons and employees reported the smell of smoke. The source was never found. · Tested and performed preventative maintenance on 49 fire hydrants. · Replaced 4 street signs. · Attended 54 hours of continuing fire/rescue training. · Tested 61 sections of fire hose. · Took Engine 2 in for repairs, again. · Made 101 arrests, recorded 86 offenses, wrote 448 citations, and worked 43 accidents. · Checked out 2,974 books, tapes, etc to city residents, and 1,799 to non-residents. · Began an inventory of all volumes in the library. · Enjoyed another successful children’s programming month with 349 toddlers participating in the read-to-me program. · Converted all e-mail addresses to a uniform format: username@sulphurspringstx.org · Treated wastewater to an average daily TSS reading of 3.66 mg/L.
CONSENT AGENDA The following items on the Consent Agenda were reviewed: Consider for approval: regular City Council minutes of March 7, 2006 and the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of March 20, 2006, the Zoning Board of Adjustments minutes of March 21, 2006, Tourism and Promotion minutes of February 8, 2006, and the Economic Development Corporation meeting minutes February 27 and March 20, 2006. Councilman Brown moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2435 ESTABLISHING A ZONING CLASSIFICATION FOR PROPERTY RECENTLY ANNEXED INTO THE CITY LIMITS LOCATED IN THE STONEBRIAR PHASE II ADDITION FROM AGRICULTURE TO SINGLE FAMILY This ordinance establishes a zoning classification for the Matthew Hanna property recently annexed into the city limits located on Garrett Drive and Heath Street in Stonebriar Addition, Phase II, being further described as Lots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18 & 19 of Block 6. According to Article 3, Section 3.500, all territory hereinafter annexed into the City of Sulphur Springs shall be temporarily classified as “AG” Agriculture district until permanent zoning is established by the City Council of the City of Sulphur Springs. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall study any property, with regard to current or proposed use when considering annexation of land into the city limits. The procedure for establishing permanent zoning on annexed territory shall conform to the procedure established by law for the adoption of original zoning regulations. Due to this being a subdivision the land should be zoned ad Single Family (SF-6). There was no one to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the ordinance on the second and final reading as presented. Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2436 REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT SOUTH LEAGUE STREET AND BELLVIEW FROM MULTIPLE FAMILY TO HEAVY COMMERCIAL This is a request by East Texas Properties, Inc. to rezone property located on South League Street and Bellview Street, being further described as Lots 8B, 8C, 4B, and 4C of Block 31 from Multiple Family (MF) to Heavy Commercial (HC). Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report stating the owner would like to rezone the property so he can build a storage facility. The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing and recommends approval with the stipulations that (1) the owner installs an 8’ masonry fence on the north, east, and south boundaries of the property, (2) a 25’ set back would have to be followed on all property lines and adjacent streets, and (3) property access would be from League Street. There was no one else to speak to the issue. These changes were incorporated into the ordinance for publication and the second reading. Councilman Powers moved to approve the ordinance on the second and final reading. Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS AND HOPKINS COUNTY FOR A DRUG TASK FORCE Since June 1, 1991 the City of Sulphur Springs has participated in a multi-county drug task force operation funded by the federal government. Funding for the drug task force ended March 31, 2006. The Governor’s office encourages independent operation within the state’s balance approach to strategic drug demand reduction. What we propose is for the city to bring back to its agency two (2) officers and the county one (1) officer. These employees will be stationed at their respective agencies and will work together to combat the narcotic epidemic that plagues our communities. Each officer will bring back with them the necessary equipment to perform their duties but the police department is requesting a budget amendment to pay their salaries and benefits. From April 6, 2006 through September 30, 2006 the estimated cost to add two (2) officers to the police department budget is $64,051.63 plus $3,448.37 for miscellaneous and overtime for a total of $67,500.00. The Special Crimes Unit will be funded by the Justice Assistance Grant, Criminal Justice Division. In the interim, the city will fund this program with the anticipation of reimbursement from the grant. To offset the increase the City Manager propose to deduct (1) the Vacancy - $25,000, (2) the Task Force Match - $16,100 and (3) the Prisoner Maintenance - $5,000 leaving a balance of $21,400.00. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the agreement as presented. Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON RESOLUTION NO. 915 SUPPORTING A SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT The City of Sulphur Springs has submitted an application for a Justice Assistant Grant (federal grant) through the Governor’s office in the amount of $610,552 to establish a Special Crimes Unit. This is a highly competitive grant with limited federal funds. If approved, the City of Sulphur Springs would not be required to provide any matching funds for this project. The purpose of the is grant would be to pay personnel salaries along with all normal operation expenses and to have trained personnel specifically assigned to combat the narcotic epidemic, target career criminals and career organizations. The intent of obtaining this grant is to fully fund this unit and take the place of the current Special Crimes Unit funded by the City. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve Resolution No. 915 as presented. Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2437 BUDGET AMENDMENT This ordinance addresses the mid-year budget revision of the estimated revenues of the City and expenses deducted for the operation of affairs thereof for the remaining fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. Finance Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report. The proposed new activities include $125,000 to construct a skate park, $10,204 to make the Senior Center Director a full-time employee, $140,000 for utility relocation for TxDOT project on Highway 19 south of Interstate 30, $50,000 for small sewer projects, $64,226 creating a Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Narcotics Task Force, and the addition of $7,500 to the budget of the newly created Tourism Department. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve Ordinance No. 2437 on the first reading. Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Taylor, Powers, Walker, Brown, and Williams Nays: Crouch The motion carried. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON ACCEPTING CERTIFICATES OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR PLACE 1 AND PLACE 2 AND CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR PLACE 1 AND PLACE 2 The election cancellation order and approval of unopposed candidates for Place 1 and Place 2 should be approved and executed. Garry Jordan, Place 1, and Clay Walker, Place 2, are unopposed for the 2006 election year. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Powers moved to accept the certificate of unopposed candidate for Place 1 and Place 2 and ordering a cancellation of the election for Place 1 and Place 2. Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON USE OF AMPLIFIED EQUIPMENT FOR RELAY FOR LIFE Jeff Post, the American Cancer Society 2006 Logistics Chairperson for the Relay For Life event, provided a letter requesting permission for the use of amplified equipment after 10:00 p.m. on April 28, 2006. The twelve-hour event begins at 7:00 p.m. on April 28th and ends April 29th at 7:00 a.m. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Powers moved to approve the request. Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION FOR FINAL PLAT OF SULPHUR SPRINGS HOSPITALITY ADDITION, REPLATTING PROPERTY LOCATED ON INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, BEING FURTHER DESCRIBED AS A PORTION OF LOT 7-01 OF BLOCK 214 FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A HOTEL This a request by owners James and Karen McMahan to replat property located on Industrial Drive, being further described as a portion of Lot 7-01 of Block 214 into Lot 7-01R of Block 214 for the purpose of constructing a hotel, Holiday Inn Express. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. Industrial Drive is a one-way frontage road for this lot but the Outlet Center contains a Fire Lane access drive through to Radio Road, which passes to the immediate east of this lot. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Powers moved to approve the final plat. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Powers, Taylor, Walker, Crouch, and Williams Nays: None Abstain: Brown The motion carried. DISCUSSION/ACTION FOR FINAL PLAT OF A PORTION OF LOT 4 OF BLOCK 116, BEING FURTHER DESCRIBED AS PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF AIRPORT ROAD, ON THE WEST SIDE, EAST OF THE RUNWAY, INTO TWO HALF-ACRE LOTS This is a request by owner Jeff Carpenter to replat a portion of Lot 4 of Block 116, being further described as property located on the north end of Airport Road, on the west side, east of the runway, into two half-acre lots. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. The owner wishes to plat these lots separate from the remaining acreage along the airport property and selling the remaining land to the Airport. There was no one else to speak to this issue. Councilman Powers moved to approve the final plat. Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FINAL PLAT OF LOT 1R OF BLOCK 46 LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF OAK AVENUE AND FULLER STREET, BEING FURTHER DESCRIBED AS LOTS 49 AND PART OF LOT 1 OF BLOCK 46, INTO ONE LOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING AN OFFICE BUILDING This is a request by owner Jane Smith to replat property located on the corner of Oak Avenue and Fuller Street, being further described as Lots 49 and Part of Lot 1 of Block 46 into one lot for the purpose of construction an office building. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. There is at least one private water service running across this new lot from a meter on Oak Avenue. The Community Facilities Agreement for the water main installation will also address the relocation of this service prior to building construction. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the final plat. Councilman Powers seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION FOR FINAL PLAT OF CABLE ADDITION, REPLATTING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF GILMER AND THE EAST SIDE OF DAVIS STREET, BEING FURTHER DESCRIBED AS PARTS OF LOTS 13 AND 14 OF BLOCK 7 INTO ONE LOT This is a request by owners Chad and Mary Cable to replat property located on the west side of Gilmer and the east side of Davis Street, being further described at part of Lots 13 and 14 of Block 7 into one lot. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Powers moves to approve the final plat. Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FINAL PLAT OF LOTS 17R-1, 17R-2, AND 17R-3 OF BLOCK 102, A CITY INITIATED RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH END OF MARK STREET, SOUTH SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACK, BEING FURTHER DESCRIBED AS LOT 17 OF BLOCK 102 This year the city is rebuilding Mark Street through the Capital Improvements Program. The street dead-ends at the railroad and did not have a cul-de-sac. This plat serves to dedicate the additional right-of-way needed to construct the turnaround. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. The additional right-of-way dedication was given to the city for no acquisition costs. Councilman Brown moved to approve the final plat. Councilman Powers seconded and the vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON RESOLUTION NO. 914 NOMINATING T-BONE ALLEY DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PROJECT FOR THE STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM This resolution nominates T-Bone Alley Downtown Streetscape project for downtown Sulphur Springs to the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. Proposal is for the reconstruction of sidewalks, landscaping and lighting for the block bordered by Gilmer, Connally, Main, and Davis. The project will also include a public parking area at the corner of Davis and Main. Bucher, Willis, & Ratliff representative Robert Carnes distributed drawings of the preliminary design. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the resolution as presented. Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous. Mayor Walker stated that the local government supports funding the project as is shown in the project’s projected budget (including the percentage of match – 20%) and commits to the project’s development, implementation, construction, maintenance, management and financing. The sponsor must also be willing to commit to 100% financing of any costs over the authorized federal funds approved by the TTC. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON BOARD APPOINTMENT TO THE SULPHUR RIVER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT At the November 1, 2005 meeting Jay McClendon was appointed to replace Larry Blount who no longer desires to serve on this board. It has since been determined that the bylaws of the Sulphur River Municipal Water District will not allow Mr. McClendon to serve because he does not reside in and own taxable property in the city from which he is appointed. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Crouch moved to appoint G. V. Hughes to the Sulphur River Municipal Water District board. Councilman Powers seconded the motion and the vote unanimous. DISCUSSION/ACTION ON BIDS AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE BANK DEPOSITORY FOR THE CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS We received one bid and it was from Guaranty Bond Bank, which has been serving as our depository the past four years. Finance Director Peter Karstens presented the staff report stating that this contract will be for three (3) years from May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2009 with an option of one 22-month extension. Craig Roberts, President of Guaranty Bond Bank in Sulphur Springs, was available to answer any questions regarding the bid. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to accept the bid and award the contract to Guaranty Bank. Councilman Powers seconded and the vote was unanimous. VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM None. ADJOURN With all business complete the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. |
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