City Manager Marc Maxwell reported the progress of various projects and activities in the city to the Sulphur Springs City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday night, September 4, 2018.
CROSSTOWN TRAIL – The railroad crossing is complete. The Capital Construction Division has constructed the path between the K.CS railroad tracks and Main Street. They have also constructed the path on the North face of Coleman Lake dam. We are now waiting for delivery of the flashing lights for the crossing. When finished, this grant-funded project will connect Buford Park to Coleman Park and the high school/civic center complex. It will also replace the sidewalk on the north side of Connally Street.
CANTEX FORCE MAIN – This project is about 75% completed. The Capital Construction division began on the East end of the project and they are now progressing West on Airport Road. This is the final capital improvement project in the 2013-2017 C. I.P. It replaces 2,400 linear feet of aging sewer force main and 2, 900 feet of gravity main. Currently the main passes through the middle of the hospital complex. The new route passes around the hospital complex. One-third of the city’s sewage passes through this line.
SUNSET STREET – We will open bids for materials for this project in September. Expect to approve the low bids at the October 2nd council meeting. The project will include new water mains, new sewer mains and a new concrete street from Connally to Houston. The $275,000 CDBG grant is matched with $132,000 of city funding. We have submitted construction drawings for approval. Work will begin in the fall.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Phase 2 continues with the demolition of the secondary clarifiers. This will make way for the new diffused air aeration units. This project is on time and under budget.
CLAIMS – We had one minor workers compensation claim in August. We did not have any liability claims.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees: Made 21 street repairs following utility repairs. Repaired 166 potholes. Cleaned out drainage ditch from Ardis to MLK. Cleaned out drainage ditch from Church to Houston. Replaced 10 stop signs, 2 child crossing signs, 3 one way signs, 4 no parking signs, 3 school zone signs and 6 no cell phone use signs. Replaced driveway approach to Brookshire’s offKyIe Street. Conducted 40 building inspections, 34 electrical inspections, 31 plumbing inspections, 7 mechanical inspections and issued 29 building permits. Aerated all athletic fields. Repaired bare spots on soccer fields. Checked out 3,255 items from the Municipal Library plus 558 e-Books. Repaired the Celebration Plaza fountain. Programmed school zone lighting. Repaired/replaced various A/C units around the city. Achieved a daily average total suspended solids reading of 1. 87 mg/L at the wastewater treatment plant. Responded to 179 fire/rescue calls including 1 structure fire, 1 vehicle fire and 4 grass fires. Performed preventative maintenance on 80 fire hydrants. Conducted 44 fire safety inspections and reviewed 44 pre-fire plans. Responded to 261 animal control calls, achieving an adoption rate of 48%. Made 115 arrests, recorded 89 offenses, responded to 32 accidents, and wrote 707 citations in the patrol division. Repaired 28 water main ruptures. Replaced 15 water meters. Treated 188 million gallons ofpotable water. Unstopped 11 sewer mains and made 5 sewer repairs. Washed 70, 000 feet of sewer mains. Flushed 35 dead-end water mains. Sold, 1,915 gallons ofAvGas and 7,031 gallons ofJetA fuel.
