An ordinance amendment which will increase the city’s chances of obtaining a grant was given approved, on first reading, by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night.
Also approve by the council Tuesday night were resolutions adopting a fund balance policy, in support of a local apartment group’s application for funding assistance for renovations and an inter-local agreement with Hopkins County for the collection and processing of scrap tires. A brief executive session for “personnel matters specifically relating to the city manager.”
Ordinance No. 2761
The City Council approved, on first reading, Ordinance No. 2761, which renames Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances “City Parks & Lakes,” and adds Article IV, entitled “City Parks” to Chapter 8, and two sections to establish regulations to protect parks and park patrons, regulating users of public parks, and prohibiting drilling and mining or the reopening of any abandoned well or mine in any public park located within the city limits.”
Basically, in order to obtain or be eligible for certain parks grant funding, the city needs an ordinance which prohibits drilling or mining in city parks. The amendment does that, city officials explained.
Resolutions
The city council also approved Tuesday night approved two resolutions
Resolution No. 1182 establishes a city Fund Balance Policy. The city has applied this policy, but per for auditing purposes is required to have one in place.
Resolution No. 1182 simply shows the city’s in support of LPM Housing’s “application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for housing tax credits and direct loan funds for the Trinity Oaks Apartments on Woodlawn Street.”
This marks the third time the business has applied for the funding to remodel the Woodlawn Street apartments. The resolution shows the city is in support of LPM making the application, which would cover costs of displacing eight people during the renovation process, but does not require any funding or other comparable commitment for the city, according to city officials.
Inter-local agreement
Approval was given for the city to enter into an inter-local agreement with the county for the collection and processing of scrap tires.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court in October approved the agreement, which has the two government entities partnering to re-use parts of scrap tires, utilizing the process called mechanical concrete to help improve some city and county roads.
Essentially, the county will collect scrap automobile and light truck tires at regular intervals, approximately twice a month. The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, according to the agreement approved by the Commissioners Court.
Inmates from Hopkins County jail would remove the sidewalls from tires on Houston Street by the jail, using a $4,500 tire ring removal device purchased and jointly owned by both the city and county.
The tire rings would then be used in road rebuilding to help stabilize the road bases, a process called mechanical concrete. Ideally, it will save money in the rebuilding process, help stabilize and extend the life of some roads, while helping to get rid of scrap tires as well, according to city and county officials.
Mechanical concrete serves as a good road base, especially if there’s not much on top such as asphalt or concrete, which are designed to keep water out to keep the road base from eroding, City Manager Marc Maxwell said following the commissioners court’s approval of the agreement.
The city would not use the process for every city street that is rebuilt, but it could provide a suitable base for a street that’s not asphalt or concrete paved and has a bar ditch, according to Maxwell.
The cylinders would be stored at a city site. The sidewalls would be disposed of in roll-off trash containers provided by the city, according to the agreement.
The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, which would be used to pay licensing fees for the patented mechanical concrete process, disposal of sidewalls and for jailers to supervise trusties.
The contract is for one year at a time.
Executive Session
An “very brief” executive session was held at the end of the meeting for “Personnel Matters specifically relating to the City Manager.” The council reconvened in public session following the closed session, then adjourned without further comment on the matter, according to city officials.
According to the meeting agenda, the discussion was held in closed session per Texas Government Code, Title 5, Chapter 551.074. Government bodies aren’t required to meet in open meeting ” (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee.”
The agenda did not call for action on the matter at that time.
When asked Wednesday about the executive session, Sulphur Springs City Attorney Jim McLeroy said he could not discuss executive session personnel matters. McLeroy did confirmed no action was taken following the session, and that Maxwell is still employed as the city manger and has not tendered his resignation.
