Discussion, Action On Offices of Public Safety, Utilities Directors; Several Board, Commission Appointments On June City Council Agenda
Sulphur Springs City Council members are scheduled Tuesday night to meet in a special executive session prior to their regular monthly meeting to discuss two city offices, those of the public safety director and the public utilities director.
The city in October 2017 held a similar meeting, opting to create a new position, that of public safety director. This combined jobs of both police and fire chiefs. James “Jay” Sanders, a longtime veteran of the department who was the city’s police chief and a certified firefighter at the time, was appointed as the city’s public safety director.
Sanders was placed on administrative leave on March 22, 2019, when Texas Commission on Law Enforcement began an investigation into an allegation Sanders provided “false information to pay for a couple of people to go to academy,” TCOLE spokeswoman Gretchen Grigsby said.
Sanders was accused of providing false information on documentation to obtain funding for a couple of individuals to go through police academy, according to Grigsby.
TCOLE’s investigation concluded with Sanders’ voluntary surrender of his peace officer license on May 2, Grigsby said.
Sanders remained on administrative leave from the city until Friday, May 3, when he officially handed in his letter of resignation, City Manger Marc Maxwell confirmed on May 5.
When Sanders was placed on administrative leave, Sulphur Springs Police Department Patrol Capt. Jason Ricketson was named acting police chief and Sulphur Springs Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Vaughn has served as acting fire chief. Ricketson and Vaughn continue to serve as interim chiefs of those departments.
Sulphur Springs City Council is scheduled to meet in executive session Tuesday, June 4, 30 minutes prior to the start of the regular council meeting, to discuss the public safety director position as well as the utilities director position.
The regular June 4 City Council agenda then calls for the council to discuss and consider taking action on both positions discussed during the executive session.
There are at least two additional items on Tuesday’s regular council agenda regarding officials.
The oath of office is to be administered to Freddie Taylor, Jeff Sanderson and Doug Moore, who won the May City Council election. The city council on May 9 met in special session to canvass the May 4 election. The council members at that time are to select a member to serve as mayor and another member as mayor pro tem.
After the special meeting, the council reconvene at 6 p.m. at a special council retreat where they discussed possible appointments to several boards and commissions. At the regular June 4 meeting, the city council is also slated to discuss and consider appointments for the Economic Development Corporation, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Airport Advisory Board, Sulphur River Municipal Water District Board, Library Board, Board of Tourism and Promotion, Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, Ark-Tex Council of Governments, the Downtown Revitalization Board and Revolving Loan Fund Committee.
The regular city council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at City Hall.
Fort Worth Braces Regional Champion Trees for Tree-Killing Pest
FORT WORTH, Texas—With the recent confirmation of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Tarrant County, the City of Fort Worth, ArborJet and Texas A&M Forest Service united to protect two regional champion ash trees, the regional champion green ash and the regional champion Texas ash, from the deadly pest.
Native to Asia, EAB was first found in Michigan in 2002. Since then it has swept across the south and now occupies a quarter of the continental United States, including parts of Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service has detected EAB in multiple counties: Marion, Cass, Harrison, and Tarrant.
Because the beetle boasts an ash mortality rate of over 99 percent, a chemical injection is highly recommended to save an ash tree once EAB is confirmed within a 15-mile radius.
ArborJet’s Regional Technical Manager, Emmett Muennink, injected the regional champion Texas ash tree, located in Pioneer’s Rest Cemetery, with ArborJet’s TREE-äge® by drilling into the tree’s tap roots and setting an Arborplug, which functions much like an IV port and seals off the opening from any bacteria or fungi. Muennink then injected the pesticide, which hitches a ride up the tree’s vascular system, with a needle.
“The adult beetle first feeds on an ash tree’s foliage in order to complete their maturation cycle,” said Muennink. “If EAB feeds on a treated tree, it will kill the adults. At the larval stage, it feeds on the vascular system. [The insecticide] is basically 99.99 percent effective at controlling both the adult beetles and the larval stage.”
The EAB infestation was located at the south end of Eagle Mountain Lake. Experts urge homeowners within 15 miles of Eagle Mountain Lake, which includes an estimated 1.5 million ash trees and almost all of Fort Worth, to call a professional to treat their ash trees and to pay attention to what’s going on in their urban forest.
Texas A&M Forest Service has 500 traps set statewide to monitor the population this summer.
“The spread may be inevitable, but preventative methods will slow its spread,” Texas A&M Forest Service entomologist Allen Smith said. “This buys time for folks and municipalities to plan and mitigate any impacts from EAB. All it takes is one person to transport some infested firewood to a new, ‘unprotected’ locale, and a new infestation can start.”
Homeowners can watch their ash trees for signs of EAB infestation. Symptoms may include dead branches near the top of a tree, bark splits exposing larval galleries, leafy shoots sprouting from the trunk, extensive woodpecker activity and “D”-shaped exit holes in the bark.
Click to view photos of the injection.
Download the EAB Community Preparedness Plan at https://bit.ly/2MjI1WM
To report emerald ash borer, please call 1-866-322-4512
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Contacts: Courtney Blevins, Fort Worth Regional Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service, 817-531-3119, [email protected]
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6606, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Revoking An Ocean Spray Tax Abatement
Sulphur Springs City Council are scheduled to consider taking action regarding an existing tax abatement granted to Ocean Spray Cranberries.
City Manager Marc Maxwell said city staff are expected to recommend to the council that the abatement be revoked because the terms of the abatement have not been fulfilled.
The council was asked to discuss and consider taking action on the matter at their regular May meeting. After discussion, City Attorney Jim McLeroy suggested the city council table the matter until Economic Development Corporation staff, who work directly with industries, could be consulted for a recommendation regarding the abatement. The council voted to table it until an EDC recommendation could be sought.
The issue of the tax abatement was raised after the Economic Development Corporation notified the city by letter that, during a review of tax abatement certifications, Ocean Spray was found to not be in compliance with the terms of the agreement, with fewer than the required jobs on the payroll for 2018,
Basically, Ocean Spray was granted two tax abatements, including one for 2018-2022 for equipment that was installed. In exchange for the abatement, the company is required maintain a certain number of employees, Maxwell explained.
“As it turns out, that’s not happening. Whether by layoff or attrition, they’ve lost some positions and don’t intend to replace them,” Maxwell said.
The company, per the terms of the abatement, is required to maintain 143 employees, but according tot he information the city received, had a reduction of 13 employees, the city manager told council members at the regular April meeting.
Councilwoman Erica Armstrong pointed out that Ocean Spray Cranberries representatives, in a response letter to the EDC regarding the matter, indicated they are trying to find a place for the employees whose jobs were lost.
“In their request, they did ask us to consider reducing the percent of the abatement. I think that would be a fair option in that they are trying to fulfill,” Armstrong said during the May 7 discussions.
Councilman Doug Moore at the May 7 meeting said based on the amount the city would receive if a pro rata option were granted, “I’m not sure that’s the way to go.” He asked if the abatement could be suspended for a year, to be evaluated at the end of the year, with the abatement granted then only if all the terms were met.
“We are bringing it back to them this time, and we are bringing it back with some numbers,” Maxwell said of the June 4 agenda item.
That leaves the council to decide what if any action is to be taken regarding the abatement: let the company continue with no changes in the abatement, revoke the abatement, revoke a percentage of the abatement, or other action.
“It’s going to be staff’s recommendation to revoke the abatement entirely,” Maxwell said this week.
Smokey Is Still Searching For His Forever Home!
Smokey is still searching for his forever home! Smokey is a mysterious dog with just enough personality for any dog owner to handle. He is a master of disguise, virtually unidentifiable after a haircut! Smokey likes to act like he is too cool for humans, but he’s a big teddy bear once he warms up to you. He behaves himself on a leash and does enjoy going for walks, but prefers to do the leading around. Other dog friendly (indifferent is a better word; he’s too cool for playtime) but has not been around cats so that’s a toss-up. Who could pass up this gorgeous furry beast? He’s majestic and he knows it. Beautiful dog with a perfectly sassy personality. Smokey’s adoption fee is $100.00. Please contact us if you would like to meet him! You may call or text 903-439-5019, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or on Petfinder.com!
Sulphur Springs City Council Agenda June 4, 2019
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 4, 2019
7:00 P.M.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT 6:30 P.M. IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES.
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street. The following items will be discussed:
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Oaths of Office will be given to Councilman Freddie Taylor, Councilman elect Jeff Sanderson, and Councilman Doug Moore.
- Discussion/action on selection of Mayor Pro Tem.
- Discussion/action on selection of Mayor.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements.
a. Fair Housing Month - Manager’s report will include a status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures, revenues, purchases, and abatement orders.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
- Discussion/action on existing tax abatement with Ocean Spray Cranberries.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2746 amending Chapter 15 of the Sulphur Springs Municipal Code by adding Article VII, Sections 15-301 – 15-308, to provide regulation of tire businesses.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1168 renaming Jackson Street to J. D. Franklin Street.
- Discussion/action on board and commission appointments for the (1) Economic Development Corporation, (2) Zoning Board of Adjustment, (3) Airport Advisory Board, (4) Sulphur River Municipal Water District Board, (5) Library Board, (6)Board of Tourism and Promotion, (7) Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals, (8) Planning and Zoning Commission, (9) ARK-TEX Council of Governments, (10) the Downtown Revitalization Board, and (11) Revolving Loan Fund Committee.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1169 designating the Finance Director and the City Manager as signatories of behalf of the city and request funds authorized under grant contract, TxCDBG 7218042.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1170 reaffirms policies previously adopted by the city to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulations regarding citizen participation and civil rights protections.
- Discussion/action on Executive Session item pertaining to the Director of Public Safety.
- Discussion/action on Executive Session item pertaining to Director of Utilities.
- Visitors and public forum.
- Adjourn.
Consent Agenda
Consider for approval the regular City Council meeting minutes of May 7, 2019; Special City Council meeting minutes of Canvass and Retreat of May 9, 2019; the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes of April 15, 2019; the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting minutes of April 16, 2019; the Downtown Revitalization Board meeting minutes of April 23 and 30, 2019; and the Economic Development Corporation meeting minutes of April 22, 2019.
The City of Sulphur Springs will provide assistance for the hearing impaired if notice is given to the City Secretary 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The City Council of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building. The Council follows a printed agenda for official action, however, following the conclusion of the agenda, anyone may address the Council but Council will not take official action. Any individual desiring official action should submit his request to the office of the City Secretary by 12:00 noon on the Wednesday before the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The City Council reserves the right to adjourn into executive session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any of the matters listed above, as authorized by Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations); 551.074 (Personnel Matters, must be stated specifically with regard to position) 551.076 (Deliberations about security devices) and 551.087 (Economic Development).
Deputies Arrest Longview Man On Methamphetamine, THC Possession Charges
A 38-year-old Longview man sought for a parole warrant was located at a Sulphur Springs hotel, where controlled substances were allegedly found, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Baumannn and Cpl. Todd Evans, after finding David Glen Self at 6 p.m. at the South Broadway Street motel, placed him into custody on the violation of parole warrant.
The deputies then obtained from the female staying in the room permission to search it for narcotics. Multiple clear plastic bags containing suspected methamphetamine, mirrors with what was believed to be meth residue on them, THC oil vials with a cigarette and other drug paraphernalia were found in the room, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Self allegedly claimed all of the contraband found as his. The substances were seized and Self was transported to jail.
The suspected methamphetamine allegedly weighed 4.28 grams, resulting in Self being charged with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The THC vials weighed 21.69 grams, resulting in an additional charge of possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Library Kicks Off the Summer Reading Program! Free Sign-ups Still Underway
Librarian Hope Cain got summer started right with a kick-off bash at Sulphur Springs Public Library on Thursday May 30, 2019. Children and their families flocked in to sign up for the Summer Reading Program and to enjoy the kick-off games and activities. Set up outside on kickoff day was a game truck, a petting zoo, a face painting booth and hot dogs and soft drinks for everyone. Inside the library, the Music Box Collection, the Children’s Corner, Teen and Youth Zone, the Storytime Room, computer work stations and full library staff and services were ready for individuals getting to know ‘their’ public library. There are prizes, too, for readers who complete the reading log this summer, so get involved and read! If you don’t have a library card, get one! Your first one is free.
Total attendance count at the summer reading kickoff event was 277, which was nearly the same as last year. In Hope’s words,” we are planning on many more children signing up and being involved at the library this summer. It’s not too late to begin your journey of reading through the summer. You can bring your child to the library, sign up and receive a reading log anytime. I call it a journey, because it’s not a race, nor a competition. It’s a unique, individual journey. Reading takes you places, lets your mind imagine, and expands your experiences and all of those are unique to your imagination! Let us be a part of your journey and encourage reading in your house. See where it can take you!”
The Summer Reading Program runs May 30 through July 31 with a fun theme of Pirates and Mermaids for children age infant through readers age 13. Storytimes are scheduled for Tuesdays at 10am, with several special youth events and family nights scheduled through the summer! Get your Summer Reading Club Calendar when you sign up for the free reading program. Did you know that, besides increasing your brain power, reading also improves memory function? Reading is fun! Discover all the sections of the Library, like computer games for middle-schoolers including puzzles, sports, science and after-school sites. For younger children, there’s nature, arts and music, Science Stuff, Global Village and more fun stuff. And for high-schoolers, web resources include career development, ‘Choosing a College’, facts on Financial Aid, SAT and ACT, and how to manage money for life after high school. And get facts on how to earn a diploma in Career On-Line High School. There have already been graduates through this program offered through Sulphur Springs Public Library.
So, as summer starts, discover a treasure. Get to know your library! Here are two important addresses you will need: 611 North Davis Street (the physical location of the library) and it’s website, www.sslibrary.org. Or phone for information at 903-885-4926.
Got Talent? Thee Treehouse Christian Homeschool Students Do !
For the past two years, Creative Writing teacher Sharon Feldt has been sharing the talents of students who attend Thee Treehouse Christian Homeschool of Yantis, Texas with KSST listeners and Channel 18 Tv viewers. We met two more interesting youngsters on Thursday May 30, 2019 during a Good Morning Show interview.
Ariel Stone is a 15-year-old homeschool student who has never attended public school. She is a bright conversationalist whose interests range from art to acting and directing to writing plays and novels, and to playing the violin. Ariel’s stage play “The Promised Land” was performed for the public. The hero in the story starts out as a young victim of human trafficking. For the play, the student cast learned Russian and British accents, made costumes, set decor and props and produced the sound effects and music for the play. Ariel has also produced screen credits, narration and music for the Digital Storytelling classes at Thee Treehouse. Although her family plans a move from Quitman to West Texas this summer, she will continue her education through homeschooling and plans to attend college with a goal of becoming a tree botanist. Some of her works have been published in the 2018 Anthology of Treehouse students.
Twelve-year-old Jonathan Graham is a two-year Treehouse student and has been homeschooled since first grade. In this year’s “Young Publishers/Write Stuff” Creative Writing class, Jonathan produced mysteries, non-fiction and comic strips. He created the “Captain Kind” superhero character, producing a comic series depicting his adventures, some of which address the issue of bullying. Jonathan also created video trailers for the stories he wrote this year. His favorite Treehouse subject this year was Mrs. Rhodes’ ‘Digital Storytelling’ class. He also plays the drums at his church in Quitman.
Treehouse students and their families put on the school’s major fundraiser, a “Picnic in the Park” in Yantis on May 30, 2019. They presented two plays; “Frostbite” written by student Tristan Garrison and Ariel’s “The Promised Land”. They offered their published Anthology and sold picnic suppers, desserts, hand made items and artwork. Thee Treehouse Christian Homeschool offers classes three days per week to families who homeschool their children.
Changes To Dairy Festival Parade Route, Carnival Dates Announced
The Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board has released the official event’s schedule for this year’s salute to the dairy families and industry for their contributions to our local economy.
HCDF President Carolyn McKinney said there are couple of changes in this year’s events that all will want to be sure to note.
The Dairy Festival Parade is expected to include a number of special guests, including the Budweiser Clydesdales and the 1st Calvary Division Band. Those who usually stage along the parade route to partake of the proceedings will want to be sure to note the route this year’s parade will take. Due to the ongoing work to rebuild Connally Street, the parade will not be able to follow the traditional parade route.
The Dairy Fest Parade will still depart from Buford Park near Kids Kingdom at 10 a.m. June 8. However, the route departs from tradition there, exiting from League Street to Houston Street, then proceeding to Church Street. The parade will continue right onto Church Street to the square, continuing south onto Gilmer/Broadway Street to Lee Street.
Anyone interested in being part of the parade can download a release form from the Dairy Festival website and bring it with them signed to the parade.
“We ask that entries be of good taste and, for safety reasons, three-wheelers and four-wheelers will not be allowed. Your entry must reflect this year’s theme, ‘Over the Mooon in Dairyland,'” DF Parade Chairman David Watson noted in a parade information letter.
For additional information about the parade, contact David Watson at Coldwell Banker Watson Company, 1600 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs; 903-885-153; or [email protected].
For additional information about the parade, contact David Watson at
“Due to unforeseen circumstances the Carnival dates have changed. The Carnival will be in Sulphur Springs the second weekend of the Dairy Festival. They will set up and on Wednesday, June 12 and go through Saturday, June 15,” McKinney noted.
The 60th Annual Dairy Festival will kick off at noon Friday, June 7, with an Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting on Celebration Plaza, downtown. The festival will include favorites such as the Hot Air Balloon Rally and Flight, Jr. Dairy Show, Parade, Ice Cream Freeze Off and Milking Contest the first weekend. The carnival gears up Wednesday. The Whipped Challenge and Queen Coronation Pageant are highlights of the second weekend of Dairy Festival.
