Sulphur Springs City Council at the regular Tuesday meeting will consider as well as hear a proposal for an ordinance which would establish a no parking zone on a section of East Shannon Road, action to obtain engineering services for water treatment plant improvements, and conduct public hearings then consider granting final approval of two additional ordinances.
The council will be asked to consider Ordinance No. 2794 establishing a no parking zone on the south service road (East Shannon Road) between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane. In the last year, more than one 18-wheeler has become stuck or overturned after parking along the service road while the driver grabs a meal at restaurants on the south side of the road. There have also been a few near misses when people park along the busy section of roadway.
The council is also slated to hear and discuss Ordinance No. 2793, which has to do with the City of Sulphur Springs Code of Ordinance.
Public hearings in which anyone who has comments or questions regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2791, which would establish a reinvestments zone for J-B Weld LLC, and Ordinance No. 2792, the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds and related documents and processes. Both ordinances were introduced on first reading at the last council meeting. Essentially, Ordinance No. 2791 would allow J-B Weld to apply for a tax incentive from the Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors, for an expansion of the business’ Sulphur Springs plant. The hospital district can’t establish a reinvestment zone, but one is required. The city and county have already considered economic development agreements with the business.
The business, which had a 2020 ad valorem taxable value of just over $4.7 million, has committed to investing $4 million to expand its epoxy glue manufacturing business with construction of a 40,000 square-foot facility on the 12.24-acre tract of land, with the project to be completed by June 30, 2022, according to an ED Program agreement.
Ordinance No. 2792 would authorize refinancing of 2 bonds, debt owed by the city. By taking advantage of current rates, the city is projected to save $214,352 from 2021-2034, about $20,000 per year, on repayment of the utility bonds taken out in 2011 and 2012. Of course, refinancing by reissuing and sale of the general obligation refunding bonds would be contingent on receiving rates akin to or better than the current estimates, City Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Lesa Smith explained to the City Council at their regular October meeting.
The elected city officials too will be asked to consider approving Resolution No. 1266, authorizing the city manager to negotiate and sign a contract for engineering services for improvements to the city’s water treatment plant, to be funded using American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The City Council is slated to meet an hour prior to the 7 p.m. open portion of the Nov. 2 meeting. The agenda sites consultation with an attorney relating to pending or contemplative litigation, the city attorney (who has indicated intent to retire at the end of the year), and an economic development matter labeled “Project X.” The Council will consider any matters pushed forwarded from the 6 p.m. executive session for action during the open meeting.
A time will also be allowed before the conclusion of the City Council meeting for public forum, a time when community members may direct comments to the council for a set number of minutes.
