CITY COUNCIL

    Staff:       Marc Maxwell, City Manager

Gale Roberts, City Secretary

James Litzler, Acting 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

Joey Baker, Director Aviation/Tourism

                                                                       

PLEDGE AND INVOCATION

Mayor Walker led in the pledge to the flag and Mayor Pro Tem Taylor led the invocation. 

MANAGER’S REPORT

SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT  - This newly formed city/county joint venture hit the ground running this month.  The 2 officers supplied by the City, Lt. Ron Plaxco & Sgt. Harold McClure seized 14 grams of methamphetamine and 9.9 grams of crack cocaine resulting in 2 arrests.

As of today’s date, the County has not yet appointed an officer to fulfill their obligation under the inter-local agreement, but I’m sure that will happen soon.

MARK STREET  - Construction on the Mark Street project is complete.  We replaced 880’ of water line and 950 feet of sewer line.  We also reconstructed 980 feet of street with reinforced concrete. This project has a budget of $203,900.  It looks like the project will come in about $24,000 under budget.

WOODBRIDGE  - This reconstruction project is also complete.  This year we reconstructed 1,200 feet of street segments in the Woodbridge addition at an estimated cost of $120,000.  This completes 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.  Final costs are coming in, but I expect the project to come in about $23,000 under budget.

HIGHWAY 11 UTILITY RELOCATION – The Highway 11 relocation project is underway.  As I previously reported, TXDOT has demanded that we relocate our water and sewer utilities in advance of their Highway 11 widening project.  $100,600 is budgeted for this relocation effort.

GLOVER STREET  - This water/sewer/street reconstruction project is up next.  This project was budgeted to replace 350’ of sewer line, 950’ of water line, and will reconstruct 950’ of street with reinforced concrete.  The construction will occur between Davis Street and the western end of Glover. 

This project appears to be more involved than originally thought.  The project was originally budgeted at $188,400.  Staff now estimates the construction cost at $253,200.  The $64,800 difference is attributed to 500’ feet of additional water line and a cul-de-sac.  We will need the surplus from the Woodbridge, Mark and Tate projects to complete this project.

FINANCIAL REPORT  - Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.

CLAIMS AND ACCIDENTS – We had 3 workers compensation claims this month:

• A Capital Construction employee was struck on the head by the head of a sledgehammer when it came loose from the handle.  He was treated and released a few days later.  We’re glad to have him back.

• Another Capital Construction worker was bit by an insect during spring clean-up and he now has a serious infection from it.  He was discharged this morning from Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.  We are all hoping for a speedy recovery.

• Another employee tripped and suffered abrasions to the head and knee.  She returned to work the next day.

• wo liability claims were filed against the City this month:

• A homeowner on Kendall Lane claims damages sustained when a tree from Coleman Park fell on the house.  The claim is pending with TML.

• A recent guest at the Hopkins County Jail is seeking damages from the County and City.  She claims that she did not have proper access to her medication while in the jail resulting in injury to her.  I expect TML to deny the claim, since the City has no apparent liability in this case

MISCELLANEOUS – Elsewhere around the City, employees:

• Recertified both police canines.

• Attended crisis intervention training.

• Seized 100 pounds of marijuana resulting in 1 felony arrest.

• Issued 5 Crime Stoppers rewards.

• Responded to 215 calls for animal control.

• Received 28 dogs and cats at the animal shelter and found homes for 11.

• Made 108 arrests, wrote 394 citations, recorded 113 offenses, and worked 48 accidents.

• Cooked 1800 hot-dogs for Kids-Safe-Saturday.

• Responded to 97 fire/rescue calls.

• Conducted 32 fire inspections.

• Performed preventative maintenance and testing on 78 fire hydrants.

• Hired a new librarian, Cheryl Lawson.

• Welcomed State Librarian, Peggy Rudd, to the library in conjunction with National Library Week.

• Received a $1,000 grant from Wal-Mart for the purchase of books.

• Hosted a poetry contest, and the winners are…..Sidney Dietze, Mariela Bravo, Jennifer Bell, and Spencer McQueen.

• Performed fix-up, paint-up, clean-up around the library.

• Checked out 2,155 volumes to city residents and 1,423 volumes to non-residents.

• Performed repairs to the Jet-A fuel pump, and both fuel trucks.

• Attended fuel quality control training.

• Repaired 34 water breaks.

• Replaced 27 water meters and installed 4 new meters.

• Repaired 24 sewer lines.

• Made one new water tap and one new sewer tap.

• Unstopped 51 sewer mains.

• Repaired runway lights.

• Began refurbishing #1 tertiary filter at waste water treatment plant.

• Repaired lights at library.

• Set clocks on school zone lights.

• Performed maintenance on clarifiers at waste water treatment plant.

• Rebuilt bar screen.

• Conducted pre-treatment inspections at 5 local industrial plants.

• Performed preventative maintenance on high-service water pumps.

• Flushed 47 dead-end water mains.

• Processed 480 citations through the Municipal Court.

• Treated Coleman Park for fire ants.

• Fertilized ball fields and soccer fields.

• Treated 129 million gallons of water.

• Treated wastewater to total suspended solids reading of 2.56 mg/L.

• Served 2,517 meals to seniors.

• Made 18 street repairs and swept 101 city streets.

• Conducted 39 health inspections and 74 public nuisance inspections.

• Conducted 26 building inspections, 43 electrical inspections, 45 plumbing inspections, 18 mechanical inspections and issued 15 building permits.

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.  Councilman Brown moved to approve Ordinance No. 2437 on the second and final reading.  Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.    

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2438 REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON RADIO ROAD FROM MULTI FAMILY TO LIGHT COMMERCIAL

This is a request by the property owner, Mark McClendon, to rezone his property located on Radio Road and further described as Lot 13A of Block 204-1from Multiple Family (MF) to Light Commercial (LC).  Community Development Director Johnny Vance presented the staff report.  There was no one else to speak to the issue. Councilman Brown 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. 2439 AN ORDINANCE FINDING THAT THE EXISTING NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION RATES OF ATMOS MID-TEX DIVISION SHOULD BE REDUCED; ORDERING ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION MID-TEX DIVISION TO REDUCE ITS EXISTING RATES WITHIN THE CITY

In November 2005 the City of Sulphur Springs passed Resolution #902 ordering Atmos Mid-Tex Division to establish the reasonableness of its current rates.  Similar resolutions were passed by 75 other cities.  The “show cause” resolutions required Atmos to file by December 31, 2005, support for its current rates.  Atmos filed schedules with the cities in reply to the show cause resolutions.  Incredibly, Atmos Mid-Tex’s filing attempted to create justification for even higher rates, $38.8 million higher.  The cities’ consultants reviewed the filings and additional information, which was subsequently requested.  As a result of their analysis of the filing and the additional information, the cities’ consultants have issued a report finding that Atmos’ current rates are excessive and should be reduced.  The proposed ordinance would reduce the average residential gas bill by about $2.59.  The rates ordered by the City will be effective immediately.  GRIP surcharges will cease immediately, i.e. no more GRIP filings.  Atmos will appeal the rate the ordinance to the railroad commission.  The City will intervene in that appeal in conjunction with the Atmos Cities Steering Committee.  A full hearing on the merits of Atmos’ appeal will be held at the Commission.  City Manager Marc Maxwell presented a power point presentation and staff report.  There was no one else to speak to the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to approve the ordinance on the first reading as presented.  Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON RESOLUTION NO. 918 SUSPENDING THE REQUEST OF ATMOS ENERGY, MID-TEX DIVISION, FOR AN ANNUAL GAS RELIABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (GRIP) RATE INCREASE

Resolution No. 918 is a resolution of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, suspending the May 30, 2006, effective date of the proposal by Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division to implement interim Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) rate adjustments for gas utility investments in 2005.  City Manager Marc Maxwell presented the staff report.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown moved to approve the resolution as presented.  Councilwoman Williams seconded and the vote was unanimous.  

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON BIDS AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONCRETE FOR GLOVER STREET

On April 18, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. the city staff conducted a public bid opening for concrete on Glover Street.  We received one bid from Transit Mix even though packets were sent to three companies and ads were placed in the News Telegram.  Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report.  The bid from Transit Mix is as follows:

3000psi 5 sack mix/FBR                                    $68.00 + $5.00 for fiber

3000psi 5 sack mix high early w/FBR            $78.00 + $5.00 for fiber

Curb and Gutter Grout Mix                             $78.00

There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to accept the bid from Transit Mix.  Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON BIDS AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR ASPHALT RESURFACING FOR THE 2006-2007 FISCAL YEAR

Bid requests were sent to twelve (12) suppliers but we only received two bids.  We received one from APAC-Texas for $1,533,150 and one from Drake Construction for $1,184,250.  Director of Community Development Johnny Vance presented the staff report.  The effect of the higher prices will limit the surfacing for this year to only 5 of the projected 8 miles unless additional funds are appropriated.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Mayor Pro Tem Taylor moved to accept the bid submitted by Drake Construction.  Councilman Brown seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON RESOLUTION NO. 917 SUPPORTING NETMOB’S EFFORTS FOR IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION IN NORTHEAST TEXAS

This resolution serves to support the efforts of the Northeast Texas Mobility Council to improve transportation in Northeast Texas.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.  Councilman Brown moved to approve the resolution as presented.  Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SULPHUR SPRINGS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND ACCESS EFORMS, LP, ALLOWING THEM TO UTILIZE SPACE ON THE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TOWER LOCATED AT THE AIRPORT TERMINAL

This space will be used for the placement of communications equipment that will allow Access high-speed Internet access through Cox Communications from their new facility located at 906 Hillcrest.  Cox Communications will contract with Access to provide the necessary equipment and will install and maintain the equipment.  There will be no cost to the airport.   Director of Aviation/Tourism Joey Baker presented the staff report.  There was no one else to speak to the issue.   Councilman Brown to approve the contract as presented.  Mayor Pro Tem Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous

VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM

Ms. Betty Mae Landes, 411 Atkins, Apartment #9, wants her street light repaired.  She said the light didn’t work and vines and/or trees covered the entire street light unit.  Also, she would like to have something done about the ditch near her home because she is concerned about the mosquitoes.

Joe Minter, 1048 CR 3451, thanked the City Manager and City Council for personally inviting him to the City Council meeting.  He also stated that he applauds the work they are doing.

ADJOURN

With all business complete the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.