Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell presented the following report to Sulphur Springs City Council during the April 7, 2020 meeting conducted via Zoom and online:
COVID-19 RESPONSE
- All City offices are closed to the public except by appointment.
- Much of City staff are alternating workdays.
- Police and Fire have instituted new procedures for dealing with persons suspected of COVID-19.
- Police and Fire have their temperature taken when arriving at work.
- Meetings are conducted virtually when possible.
- Department Heads, the City Manager and the Mayor meet 3 times each week (virtually) to coordinate our efforts.
- Mayor, City Manager, Police Chief and Fire Chief attend EOC briefings three times per week.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
The issues I previously reported with the blowers have been resolved. All 3 blowers are operating without issues. We have returned the rented blower. I expect to close out our contract with Gracon this month.
GRAYS BUILDING
Specifications are being written for the new Grays building. I expect to advertise for bids in 60 days. In the meantime we will build up the pad for the building.
BELLVIEW STREET
The water main was completed this month. Next up will be cement stabilization of the subgrade and asphalt pavement. Unfortunately street work can’t begin until Atmos has replaced their line. I expect Atmos won’t be finished for 90 days.
MCCANN STREET – HOLIDAY DRIVE
These streets are up next on our list of capital improvement projects. We have begun doing some investigative work onsite, but we are discussing the possibility of delaying the project until we have a better understanding of the financial impact of the pandemic. We may be scheduling this topic at a future City Council meeting.
CONNALLY STREET
The sidewalk on the north side of the street is completed. We will start on the other side of the street soon.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – The Capital Construction Division replaced various curb segments for the streets that will be repaved in this year’s Street Improvement Program, (S.I.P.). The S.I.P. is funded by a combination of General Fund revenues and the Street Maintenance Fee on the water bill. I expect the contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt to begin as soon as weather permits. The following streets will be repaved this year:
S.H. 11 WIDENING (LIFT STATION)
The lift station is operational. All that remains is a little TxDOT paperwork.
CLAIMS
We had 3 minor worker’s compensation claims in March and zero liability claims. We submitted a property claim to the TML Risk Pool for a police cruiser that was totaled in a pursuit.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will give a year- to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Conducted 20 building inspections, 23 electrical inspections, 10 plumbing inspections and 7 mechanical inspections and issued 15 building permits.
- Responded to 174 fire/rescue calls including 3 structure fires and 2 vehicle fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 20 fire hydrants.
- Performed 15 fire inspections and reviewed 15 pre-fire plans.
- Checked out 2306 items from the library and 755 eBooks.
- Sold 1,640 gallons of AvGas and 5,100 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids count of .54 mg/L.
- Repaired 3 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 7 water meters.
- Unstopped 32 sewer mains.
- Repaired 4 sewer mains.
- Washed 70,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead-end water mains.
- Treated 132 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 164 animal control calls while achieving a 93% adoption rate.
- Made 8 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 42 accidents, wrote 354 traffic citations, recorded 57 offenses and made 51 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Performed 8 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Replaced 310 feet of curb and gutter in preparation for Street Improvement Program.
- Patched 422 potholes.
- Installed “No Parking” signs on Connally Street.
