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CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 7, 2006 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Clay Walker called the regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council to order at 7:37 p.m. 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 Garry Jordan Councilman Chris Brown
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
PLEDGE AND INVOCATION Mayor Walker led in the pledge to the flag and Councilman Garry Jordan led the invocation. MANAGER’S REPORT
now at 426.59 feet above sea level, which is 13.41 feet low. The lake continues to drop about 1 foot each month.
The good news is that Lake Sulphur Springs gained about a foot during the last rain event. A couple more thunder- storms like that and Lake Sulphur Springs will be full. Lake Sulphur Springs is presently about 3 1/2 feet low. Since Lake Sulphur Springs is our backup water supply, having it full would diminish any need for water conservation this spring and summer.
MARK STREET - Construction on the Mark Street project is underway. Water and sewer improvements have been completed, and the street reconstruction has begun. This project has a budget of $203,900.
CADI / MARIANNE STREET – This reconstruction project is completed. The Capital Construction division reconstructed about 600 feet of Cadi and a portion of Marianne. This project has a budget of $87,000.
WOODBRIDGE - This reconstruction project continues. 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 all 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.
ACCIDENTS AND CLAIMS - No liability claims were filed in the month of February, however we did have one Worker’s Compensation Claim. A police officer was cut by a needle while searching a vehicle.
FINANCIAL REPORT - Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
MISCELLANEOUS – Elsewhere around the City, employees:
CONSENT AGENDAThe following items on the Consent Agenda were reviewed: Consider for approval: regular City Council minutes of February 7, 2006 and the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of February 20, 2006. Councilman Jordan 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. 2433 AMENDING CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE II, SECTION 15-13, WEEDS AND OTHER UNSIGHTLY VEGETATION A public hearing was held for the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2433. This ordinance changes “and” to “or” for housekeeping purposes. This change was recommended by the City Attorney’s office and Jim McLeroy presented the staff report. There was no one else present to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the ordinance as presented. Councilman Jordan seconded the motion and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Jordan, Walker, Taylor, Powers, Brown, and Williams Nays: Crouch
The motion carried.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2434 RELATING TO SHORT FORM PLATTING PROCEDURES The City Council by Ordinance No. 2072 deleted Section 12, Article 2, pages 26, 27, and 28 of Ordinance No. 2049 regarding Short Form Platting Procedures on January 7, 1992. Councilman Crouch has asked the City Council to consider reinstating Short Form Platting Procedures. Ordinance No. 2434 contains new guidelines for the process of Short Form Platting or Minor Plats. Community Development Director Johnny Vance presented the staff report. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Crouch moved to approve the ordinance on the first reading as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR FIRST 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. Councilman Brown moved to approve the ordinance on the first reading as presented. Councilman Jordan seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR FIRST 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. Councilman Chris Brown moved to approve the rezoning with the stipulations set forth by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Williams seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON RESOLUTION NO. 913 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HOPKINS COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEASING STATE MANDATED ELECTRONIC VOTING EQUIPMENT FOR EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY The City of Sulphur Springs must use DRE equipment in the next election to comply with state mandates. This resolution allows the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Hopkins County to lease equipment. The maximum amount of the lease agreement will be $880 for one entity, $440 if two entities participate and $293.33 if all three entities participate. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Powers moved to approve the resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC STOPS AND ARRESTS It is a state requirement for this report to be given to the City Council each year for their review. City Attorney Jim McLeroy and Police Chief Jim Bayuk were available to answer questions. The report was reviewed by the City Council. There was no one to speak to the issue. No action was taken.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON REPLAT OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WHITWORTH STREET AND THE EAST SIDE OF ELM STREET DESCRIBED AS PART OF THE HOPKINS COUNTY INDUSTRIAL PARK, BLOCKS A & B, CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS BLOCK 48-6-9R The city, through an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation, closed the Whitworth Street railroad crossing and constructed a new crossing and roadway that crosses the Industrial Park spur track and tees into Como Street. This construction required the purchase of additional right-of-way. This replat serves to indicate the right-of-way and associated new lot dimensions. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Brown moved to approve the replat as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FINAL PLAT OF LOT 1-R OF THE NAZARENE CHURCH ADDITION This is a request by the Nazarene Church to replat property located on the west side of League Street, north of Interstate 30, being further described as Lots 1 & 3 of Block 213-200 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 moved to approve the final plat as presented. Councilman Jordan seconded and the vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FINAL REPLAT OF PART OF LOT 1, BLOCK 211, LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF MOCKINGBIRD LANE AND THE SOUTH SIDE OF I-30 This is a request by owner Joe Crouch to replat his two properties into one larger lot to accommodate a new Pizza Inn restaurant. Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report. There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the final replat as presented. Councilman Powers seconded and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Jordan, Walker, Taylor, Powers, Brown, and Williams Nays: None Abstain: Joe Crouch
The motion carried.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.072, DELIBERATIONS REGARDING REAL PROPERTY PERTAINING TO A LAND LEASE AGREEMENT Mayor Pro Tem Taylor made a motion to adjourn into executive session at 8:15 p.m. Councilman Brown seconded the motion. There was no one present to speak to the issue. The vote was unanimous.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Reconvened in open session at 8:25 p.m.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM REGARDING REAL PROPERTY THAT PERTAINS TO A PUBLIC PARKING UTILITY LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS AND THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH City Manager Marc Maxwell stated this is not a lease agreement but a purchase agreement between the City of Sulphur Springs and the First Baptist Church. Councilman Brown moved to approve the purchase agreement. Councilman Powers seconded the motion. Councilman Crouch interjected that this was bad for the city and that if it passes every church in the City of Sulphur Springs should apply for a grant from the city to help them with their parking lots. Councilman Crouch was disappointed that the media was not present and he also stated that this is poor policy and a bad deal. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Jordan, Walker, Taylor, Powers, Brown, and Williams Nays: Crouch
VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM Pat Murray, 1005 Texas Street, introduced himself and stated that he wanted to plant a seed. The City of Sulphur Springs has built many recreational facilities for our youth and he would like for the City Council to consider building a new Senior Citizens Center for the other fifty percent of the population. He stated that nothing had been done for the senior citizens; there are no buses, no taxis, and no real way for them to get around. He thinks the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has not fully been complied with and the TRAX system is a joke. He believes the seniors need an adequate place to visit, to see decent movies, to read decent books and to relax without hearing trains roaring nearby. He stated that these were the people that made this community and they deserve to be recognized by our leaders.
He also wanted to commend Karon Weatherman for making an outstanding effort in making everyone feel welcomed to the Senior Citizens building that we have right now.
ADJOURN With all business complete the meeting adjourned at 8:30p.m. |
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