Visitors to Coleman Lake could in the near future have more recreational options available to them on site. Sulphur Springs City Council during their March meeting this week agreed to allow a “non-motorized sports concession” at the lake, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
City officials were approached by John Ilaoa about offering the additional recreational services at the park. The non-motorized water rides may be hauled in each day they are offered on a trailer to the site on the bigger section of the lake and made available for rental from about 10 a.m. until 1 hour prior to sunset daily, with the exception of Sundays, according to Niewiadomski.
Sulphur Springs City Council also during the March 3 meeting approved four proposed ordinances. Ordinances receiving council approve on second and final readings were:
- Annexation only the city-owned portion of the former Luminant/Thermo mine properties into the city limits;
- Authorization for issuance and sale of combined tax and revenue certificates and related documents to fund improvements at Pacific Park and a new Senior Citizens Center, with interest rates reported to be at 1.79 percent; and
- A 20-year franchise agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation which allows the business to offer its services in Sulphur Springs and requires the Atmos to pay annually, “a sum of money which shall be equivalent to five percent (5%) of the Gross Revenues.”
The fourth ordinance regarding youth curfews drew the most discussion, but ultimately received the council’s approval on first reading at Tuesday’s meeting, according to Niewiadomski.
A few community members addressed the council and police also were asked to speak about the matter, according the community development director.
The curfew would only affect unaccompanied youth ages 15 years and younger, and would be from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and form 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday-Saturday. The ordinance as proposed includes a sunset provision, which would allow the council to review the ordinance in April of 2022 to determine whether any changes are needed. Otherwise, it would remain in effect, city staff reported.
The council held an executive session prior to the start of the regular meeting to discuss matters related to the city secretary. The council in open session agreed to give City Secretary Gale Roberts, who recently earned Texas Registered Municipal Clerk Certification, a pay raise.
Niewiadomski gave a presentation regarding urban sprawl and possible antidotes for the issue of cities funding the infrastructure needs resulting from urban sprawl. He reportedly presented the videos on the topic and discussed individual property values and the affects of lot frontage analysis on city budgets.
The council approved the independent audit for fiscal year 2018-2019.
The General Election for Places 6 and 7 on the council was canceled, Doug Moore was unopposed for Place 6 and Mayor John Sellers was unopposed for Place 7. Those names will not appear on the May 2 ballot.
Harold Nash is also unopposed for Place 2 and Oscar Aguilar is unopposed for Place 3 on the May 2 Special Election. Their names will appear on the ballot, as will the four candidates (Jay W. Julian, Mark Bradley, Vanessa Diosdado and Justin M. Brown) for Place 1 and two candidates (Ricardo Chavarria and Gary Spraggins) for Place 5.
Places 6 and 7 are for full terms on the council. Places 1-3 and 5 are for unexpired terms of council member who resigned in December.
