CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CITY COUNCIL

NOVEMBER 2, 2004

7:30 p.m.

Mayor Chris Brown called the regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council to order at 7:31 p.m.  The following council members and staff were present:

                                                Mayor Chris Brown

                                                Mayor Pro Tem Clay Walker

                                                Council Member Joe Crouch

                                                Council Member Freddie Taylor

                                                Council Member Garry Jordan

Absent:                                   Council Member Lydia Bryant

                                                Council Member Larry Powers

Staff:                                       Marc Maxwell, City Manager

                                                Sharon Ricketson, City Secretary

                                                Gale Roberts, City Secretary Trainee

                                                Johnny Vance, Dir. Community Development

                                                James Litzler, City Attorney

                                                Peter Karstens, Finance Director

PLEDGE AND INVOCATION

Mayor Brown led in the pledge to the flag and Councilman Freddie Taylor led the invocation.

MANAGER’S REPORT

ARDIS STREET - The Ardis Street reconstruction project is under way.  The Capital Construction Division has replaced 332’ of water main and 660’ of sewer main.  Atmos Energy (formerly TXU Gas) is on site to replace the gas mains as well.  After the utilities are replaced, the Capital Construction Division will reconstruct the 866’ street with reinforced concrete from Beckham to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.  The project is budgeted at $159,956.

BOOKER STREET  - The Booker Street reconstruction project has begun.  This project will reconstruct 620’ of water main, install 570’ of underground drainage, and reconstruct booker Street in reinforced concrete.  It is budgeted at $124,282.  Booker Street dead-ends into Craig Street which is also slated for street, water and drainage improvements.  Together these 2 projects will give the area a major facelift and solve a real drainage problem.

KID’S KINGDOM RESTROOM  - Work has begun on the new restroom at Kid’s Kingdom.  The foundation has been poured and the block was delivered today.  The Council set a $35,000 budget for the project.  The Kiwanis Club is donating $10,000 toward the effort.  The $10,000 donation is included in the $35,000 budget.

AIRPORT  - The Capital Construction Division rebuilt 375’ of street at the airport this month at a cost of $39,184.  The new road splits off of the main entrance of the airport to serve the hangars.  The project was funded by a 50/50 TXDOT grant.

NEXT UP  - Craig Street and the Woodbridge Addition are on-deck for the Capital Construction Division.  Woodbridge will get about $169,000 in street reconstruction.  72% of the money will rebuild Northwood and Amberwood.  The remainder will be used to rebuild the worst street segments around the development.  Look for these 2 projects to start soon.

HOME GRANT – Construction of the new HOME Grant homes is progressing quickly.   We should start moving the residents back into their new homes this week.  With any luck, we will have them all moved in by Thanksgiving.  The 9 new homes were funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs with federal money.  The project benefits low income seniors.

ACCIDENTS AND CLAIMS   - We did not have any Worker’s Compensation Claims in October.  We received one minor liability claim from a driver who struck a manhole and who claims to have sustained damage to the vehicle.  TML denied the claim.

FINANCIAL REPORT  - Finance Director, Peter Karstens gave a summary of month end revenues and expenditures.

PITCHED ROOF PROJECT  - Construction has started on pitched metal roofs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Water Treatment Plant, and City Hall.  The contractor chose to start at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The Council budgeted $355,742 for the project.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items on the Consent Agenda were reviewed: Consider for approval: City Council regular City Council minutes of October 5, 2004, Special Joint City Council and Commissioners’ Court minutes of October 12, 2004; Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of October 18, 2004, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of October 12, 2004, and the Economic Development Corporation minutes of September 20, 2004.  Councilman Taylor moved to approve the items from the consent agenda as presented.  Councilman Walker seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2411   REZONING LOT 3 OF BLOCK 210-300

Owner Gregg Price has requested to rezone property located at 1505 Mockingbird Lane, described as Lot 3 of Block 210-300, from Single Family (SF-6) to Single Family Attached (SF-A).   Gregg Price spoke in favor of his request stating that this type of zoning was required to build town homes and garden homes.  He is proposing to enhance this location by building these types of homes for senior citizens.  Johnny Vance stated that a replat of the property would be required prior to issuing a permit.  Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval.  Councilman Jordan moved to approve the ordinance on first reading.  Councilman Crouch seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION FINAL PLAT, LOT 1R, 2, AND PART OF LOT 4 OF BLOCK 409-2

SMSC Real Estate, Inc. has requested to replat all of Lot 1R, 2, and part of Lot 4 of Block 409-2, described as the north side of Medical Plaza, south side of Medical Circle, and east side of Medical Drive into one lot.   Johnny Vance stated there would be a city initiated zone change request in the near future changing this property to Professional Office zoning.  Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval.  There was no one to speak on the issue.  Councilman Crouch moved to approve the replat.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION RESOLUTION NO. 876

This is a resolution supporting and endorsing the River of Trade Coalition and its work to preserve and protect the current NAFTA Trade Route.  Councilman Crouch moved to approve Resolution No. 876 as presented.  Councilman Jordan seconded and the vote was unanimous.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ON TOURISM AND PROMOTION BOARD APPOINTMENT

Tim Peoples has tendered his resignation from the Tourism and Promotion Board via email and a letter has been received from Bill Elliott supporting the appointment of Dana Cleaver.  Councilman Crouch moved to appoint Dana Cleaver to complete the term of Tim Peoples on the Tourism and Promotion Board.  Councilman Taylor seconded and the vote was unanimous.

VISITORS/PUBLIC FORUM

 None.

ADJOURN

With all business complete the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.