Hearing Slated Tonight To Give Community A Chance To Voice Concerns, Questions Regarding Old Mine Property
Reclamation Responsibility, Land Leases, ETJ Boundaries, Maintenance Discussed During First Hearing On Annex
City residents who have questions regarding the old Thermo Mine/ Luminant property that is now owned by the city are encouraged to attend Thursday’s special city council meeting.
The 6 p.m. session Jan. 9 is designated specifially as a public hearing for community members to voice any questions, comments or concerns they may have regarding the property and the proposed annexation of that property into the city.
At least three community members and a local businessman approached the council during the first public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding the annexation of the old Thermo mine property.
Concerns focused on status and extent of reclamation and who is responsible for it, land lease agreements individuals had with Luminant, extent of annexation and extra jurisdictional territory and what that means for nearby residents or property owners, and maintenance of land bordering the old mine property.
Reclamation Responsibility
Tim Kelty asked what the situation is with the land that needs to be reclaimed, how much of the land is like that, and what part of it will be the city’d responsibility.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that Area H on the property map is the last area that’s yet to be reclaimed at the mine. Once the former owner’s plan is approved by the Railroad Commission, it will take a few months to do the work on the reclamation.
“Then, waiting begins. There will be a five year period where they monitor the land, then they go into an extended period of responsibility for two, three, four years and continue to monitor it. I expect as a part of that they will have to reshape the pond and they will have to seal the pond because it’s exposed to a coal seam at the bottom. They will probably reduce the height of the mountain and grade it out somewhat to what amount, we just don’t know yet, because they don’t have their approved plan yet from the Railroad Commission,” Maxwell said.
Kelty asked how many of the total acres are not in any of the reclamations.
“There are just short of 5,000 acres total, and 400 that have yet to be reclaimed. Although other property has been reclaimed and is in the extended period of monitoring. The city has about 2,500 acres that are free and clear,” Maxwell said.
Councilman Doug Moore noted Luminant is bonded, which Maxwell noted means that the project is covered with funding to complete the process. Areas that have completed the reclamation process to state’s satisfaction are call “off-bond.”
City Attorney Jim McLeroy said the former Luminant mine owners are 100 percent responsible for all reclamation. What the city is receiving is reclaimed and ready for whatever future use the city chooses.
“We have no financial obligations, no financial risk, as far as those environmental concerns for the fact that this used to be a mine. When it comes off bond, when it’s completely through the reclamation process it will look like land there on the east side of that development, which looks like that pasture land across the street, beautiful country and it looks great. It is fully reclaimed. We’re not going to have do anything to it to complete that,” McLeroy said.
“So basically, you’re going to receive 25 hundred acres that we can do whatever we want with, no strings attached or anything, other than what the city puts on it?” Kelty asked.
McLeroy affirmed that to be true. He noted the city owns the other 2,500 acres and will receive it in the future once the property is fully reclaimed and off bond. The city granted the company an easement so they have the right to go in and do the work required to finish their legal obligation for the property.
Andy Smith asked for verification that the city is “free and clear” of responsibility for any “clean up” required and the company responsible is financially solvent to ensure all required work is completed.
McLeroy said the bonds they have posted by the previous owner are financial guaranties that there’s a source of funding to complete their obligation.
Land leases
As promised, Jean Barnes’ concern regarding land she has been leasing from Luminant for the last 14-15 years was addressed during the regular city council meeting which followed at 7 p.m. Jan. 7.
The City Council, during their regular Tuesday night, agreed to renew land lease agreements for use of certain portions of the old Thermo Mine/Luminant property at the same rate for 1 year. The lease contracts would be the same, except each lease would have to be renew pending council approval each year.
Three of the four lease agreements were for grazing cattle and hay production: Jonah Massey 82-acre lease on the southwest corner of the property, Jean Barnes 4.7-acre agriculture lease and Legend Cattle Company has a 959-acre lease in the middle. Hopkins County also has a lease for $2 a year for use of a sand pit, Maxwell noted.
The four agreements are expected to generate about $17,900 in revenue annually for the city. Maxwell was given authority to sign documents for those leases.
Barnes said a one year-lease at the same price was sounded “very good” to her and what she was looking for.
ETJ, Boundaries
A Lynda McKay, who owns property near the mine, expressed concern regarding the identified extra territorial jurisdiction for the proposed annex and what that will mean for people with property within it.
Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski explained that he ETJ simply means if someone were to create a housing develop within a mile of the property, they would have to meet the city’s subdivision requirements. The city has no planning or zoning jurisdiction in the area; they would only have to meet city standards when subdividing property.
Irene Hanson, who owns property on State Highway 11 east, asked if her property would be annexed into the city as well. She has a “small cut out” of property in that area, and was concerned she’d have to pay city taxes.
“You are not going to be annexed into the city for two reasons,” Maxwell said. “We cannot legally annex you unless you ask us to.”
“Unless you want to be in the city in the future, we don’t have the power to annex you. If you want to be in the city, you have the right to petition to be in the city and the council will have the right to decide if they want to accept you into the city. The reason we can annex it is because we own it,” McLeroy said.
In order to annex the property into the city, hearings must be held for community input, then it will be presented to the City Council for approval for that property only. The annexation does not include any other property around the mine or between the mine and the city.
Maxwell said also the city is “not of a frame of to go out and annex places, because then we have to provide services. Typically, the property taxes generated from the annexation are not sufficient to pay for the services. So, it’s been our frame of mind, and certainly mine for decades now.”
Maintenance
Irene Hanson too expressed concern for condition of old mine property that borders her land. She said they’ve had to “shred around” and mowed along the back property line due to the weeds for years, and wanted to know if the city would be providing routine maintenance of that nature.
“I wouldn’t expect us to get out there with shredders and mowers,” Maxwell said.
Irene Hanson asked if the city would be fending off the old mine property.
“We have no plans to fence,” Maxwell said.
McLeroy asked if the land is part of the mine property that’s been leased for agricultural purposes.
“Nobody has done anything to maintain this for several years. There are fences, but they’re old, old, so I’m wondering where does our responsibility lay?” Hanson asked.
Maxwell noted along the property line would be the city’s responsibility. He said the reclamation process means they move dirt, plant trees and nativegrasses. That is the former owner’s respnsibilty. The state has been monitoring that process.
Hanson said the land had previously used for hay, and was maintained during that time. However, it hasn’t been used for that purpose in five years. During that time, the weeds have become terribly overgrown.
Maxwell said if the neighboring property owner is interested in cutting it for hay, he’d welcome them to come talk to him to work out an agreement.
“Well, I wish somebody would because it looks terrible, and it’s a fire hazard for one thing,” she said, adding that hogs have run rampant in the area.
Hanson’s son Christopher Hanson, who lives on her property as well, said the hogs and coyotes come up close in the yard at night. They’ve shot several of them.
“If that is a problem, we’re going to have to figure out how to address it,” Maxwell said.
Christopher Hanson said a pond on the old mine property is also a problem. It’s become more of a swamp, resulting in an extremely bad mosquito and pesk problem. Last year, he said they killed 36 snakes. The condition of the adjoining mine property is a fire hazard, he added. He said when the former owner’s were contacted, they claimed they were unable to do anything about the issues because of the property’s proximity to the Hanson property.
Maxwell encouraged the Hansons to visit with him next week to identify their property on a map in proximity to the city property and discuss the issues.
Daughters of the American Revolution Local Chapter Meets Saturday January 11
The Captain David Philips Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Saturday, January 11, at 2 pm at the Senior Citizens Center in Sulphur Springs. This is the annual business meeting. All members are encouraged to attend. Barbara Cockrum is President. For information, phone 903-439-5669.
Chamber Connection — Jan. 9, 2020
By Lezley Brown, president/CEO of Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
It is with great pleasure that the 2020 Board of Directors invites you to the 94th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. We will host a Networking Cocktail Happy Half Hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30, and the awards will follow at 7 p.m.
Please take this opportunity to bring your family, friends and employees to an evening of dinner and community awards including Large and Small Business of the Year, Educator of the Year, Caregiver Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Woman of the Year, Growth and Renewal Award, Community Pride Award and Citizen of the Year.
Our banquet theme is “Be the Light” and focuses on positivity and community pride moving into the next decade. It promises to be one of our most beautiful and unusual banquets to date. We are excited for you and your business to join us for this extraordinary evening.
Please make your reservation TODAY by calling the Chamber of Commerce, (903) 885-6515, or by stopping by to visit at 110 Main St. in Sulphur Springs.
We are still accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year. That deadline has been extended to Friday, Jan. 17.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 13, 2020). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
- Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Agriculturist of the Year—Agri-Life Extension Office— P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. East, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above-mentioned address.
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on Jan. 23, in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Hoops Dreams Basketball is accepting players
Hoop Dreams Basketball is a league made up of special needs children from ages 5 to 21. There is no cost to play, but players must register for t-shirts sizes and to get the coaches lined up. The Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs will host this league for the 13th year along with volunteer coaches from the Lions club. Please contact Beverley Owens at 903-348-5121 or any Pilot Club member for registration form or information about Hoop Dreams basketball.
Julia Wilhite State Farm hosts anniversary ribbon cutting celebration
Julia Wilhite State Farm will host a one-year anniversary ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at noon. This office is located at 1030 Gilmer St. Please make plans to attend and wish Julia congratulations on her first year at State Farm!
Planning & Zoning Commission Appointments, Notices For Parks And Senior Citizens Center Approved
Sulphur Springs City Council had a full agenda during Tuesday night’s regular meeting, including two appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission, authorizing a TexPool representative and notices for funding for Pacific Park and Senior Citizens Center projects.
Senior Center, Pacific Park
The council took another step in obtaining voter approved funding of up to $3 million for improvements at Pacific Park and a new senior citizens activity center with the approval of Resolution No. 1187.
City Finance Director Lesa Smith explained the resolution simply directs the publication of notice of intention for the certificates of obligation for the parks improvements that the citizens voted on.
“It states that the maximum we will borrow is $3 million, and after this notice of intention is published, at the next two council meetings, you will be asked to approve the ordinance. Then, we will go out for bids on it,” Smith told the City Council.
Andrew Friedman with SAMCO Capital, the city’s financial adviser, said the the notices require publication 45-46 days before any bids can be brought to the council for consideration. The first reading of the ordinance would be at the Feb. 4 meeting and the second reading at the March 3 meeting. If approved, bids with actual interest rates for bonds would then be presented at that March meeting as well. If the City Council approve the certificate of obligation at the March meeting the funds would be delivered on March 31. He said interest rates are currently lower than usual.
The funds won’t all be spent at one time, but over time according to schedule. A timeline has been developed for the H.W. Grays Building, and one is being developed for the construction of the new senior citizens center. A separate plan will be established for the remainder of planned improvements at Pacific Park, and involve potential grant funding the city has applied for. The city has three years for the funds.
Councilman Freddie Taylor pointed out that $1.5 million of the $3 million in bond funding would go toward construction of a new senior citizens center and the other $1.5 million toward construction of new Grays Building and Pacific Park improvements.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Two recommendations were approved to fill Planning and Zoning Commission seats, open due to resignations of Kelly Grimes for personal reasons and Mike Horne due to a move outside of the city limits.
The council at the December meeting tabled the appointment until a list of potential candidates to fill the seats could be created and top candidates could be contacted to determine whether they would have a willingness to serve.
Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski recommended Pat Chase and Matthew Mattison. The council removed the item from the table and approved the recommendations as presented to serve on the P&Z Commission.
TexPool Representative
Smith asked her request for the council to approve Resolution No. 1199 was a necessary yet bittersweet one. She asked them to authorize accounting specialist Oscar Aguayo as a city representative for TexPool investment account. He would replace Kathie Steele, who after 46 years of employment with the city has retired, Smith explained.
The council approved the resolution as recommended by Smith.
Expenditures and Finance Report
Finance Director Lesa Smith during the regular council meeting Tuesday night gave the following update regarding city expenditures and revenues:
- Revenues and expenditures through December 2019 to the general fund and utility fund are within budget expectation right now.
- Sales tax is up over this time last year.
- Property tax collections are hitting target. Most of the revenue comes in in December or January.
- Water and sewer and sanitation revenue is up $9,000 compared to last year.
- Airport revenues and expenditures are up over last year. A pretty large event held at the airport accounted for most of the increase: quite a bit of fuel sold, requiring more fuel to be purchased.
- Hotel occupancy tax is exceeding budget expectation. This revenue has increased by about $10,000 annually over last three years.
- No street maintenance fees have been expended so far this year on the annual street paving program. Bids will be taken for the street program this month, and results are expected to be presented to the City Council at next month’s meeting.
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Rosemary Horn, wife of the late Elmer G. (Mutt) Horn. She passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5. A graveside service was held at Nelta Cemetery on Wednesday, Jan. 8, under the direction of Murray-Orwosky funeral home. Please be in prayer for the family.
Yvette Williams shared, “We had a wonderful New Year’s Eve with the grands. We took them to Embassy Suites in Frisco and they loved it! They swam in the indoor pool and we took the shuttle to Chuy’s for dinner. From our balcony we watched the fireworks from two nearby towns. We made some great memories! Happy New Year!”
Our great-grandsons, Rylan, Brailon and Slaiden Joslin, came on Friday afternoon and spent the night with us. Their parents, Landon and Laiken Joslin, went to Frisco and enjoyed using a Christmas gift card for a delicious meal at Perry’s Steakhouse.
Grace Vaughn, Chip’s mother, had lunch with us on Sunday and stayed for the afternoon.
I guess it was a quiet weekend in Tira. I hope to have more to report next time.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries International Event Will be Held February 9th
New Beginnings 2020 Women's Conference Will be Held January 18th
El Paso Man To Sentenced On Controlled Substance Charge
A 20-year-old El Paso man was taken into custody at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 at Hopkins County Courthouse after being assessed punishment on a controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Caleb Evan Ashley was scheduled to appear in district court Tuesday, Jan. 7, during the 9 a.m. session for a sentencing hearing on a Jan. 12, 2019 manufacture or delivery of more than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Ashley was one of three El Paso residents arrested near mile marker 130 on Interstate 30 on the charge Jan. 12, 2019. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers had stopped their vehicle for a traffic violation, and found four black tape and cellophane wrapped bundles of suspected heroin in an aftermarket compartment in the battery, DPS official alleged in arrest reports. Overall, the suspected heroin weighed 4.45 kilograms. He remained in Hopkins County jail until April 28, 2019.
He was sentenced Jan. 7 to a commitment in an Intermediate Sanctioned Facility, according to arrest and jail reports.
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javi Aguayo Likes How His Team Rallied Twice to Earn 2-2 Tie
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo said North Lamar surprised us all with how good they were as the Lady Cats and Pantherettes battled to a 2-2 tie at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night (January 7). It was the season opener for the Lady Cats. Coach Aguayo called North Lamar a tough opponent and he said he was impressed with how speedy their top three forwards were. One of them got loose and scored a goal about 3:30 into the first half. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats played well and came back. Vanessa Lara scored the equalizer after a corner kick. Coach Aguayo said he thought it made a difference that North Lamar had already played four tournament games this past weekend. Three of the four games were played against highly ranked teams. North Lamar also took a 2-1 lead in the second half with about 20 minutes left. Coach Aguayo and Assistant Coach Kristov Martinez both encouraged the Lady Cats to not hang their heads and to keep battling. The Lady Cats again got the tying goal, this one from Katelyn Robinson after a nice assist from Rebekah Stanley. Coach Aguayo admitted he wanted his team to score a winning goal late in the match but he said the ball just would not go into the net. Coach Aguayo said he liked renewing the old rivalry with North Lamar. The two team played spirited games against each other as district opponents years ago. The Lady Cats begin play in a three day Pine Tree tournament that starts Thursday. Weather permitting, the Lady Cats are scheduled to play Jacksonville, Cleburne and host Pine Tree.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Uses Mainly Five Players to Eke by Sherman on the Road Tuesday Night
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell admits the end of the Sherman game Tuesday evening (January 7) had her a bit confused. Sherman hit a late three and their gym went nuts according to her. She said she was confused because even with the good three pointer, the Lady Cats still took a one point win. They had a four point lead before the shot. Coach Tisdell even checked with the refs to make sure a foul wasn’t also called on the shot that could have led to a tying free throw. A Sherman assistant coach later told her the Lady Bearcats were confused with what the score was before the successful three. They thought they had won. The Lady Cats won, 42-41. They only suited out 7 players and Coach Tisdell mainly stuck with five players for the majority of the game. It was the Lady Cats second straight game without freshman Kenzie Willis, who has an ankle injury. Plus freshman Serenity Lewis has developed a bone bruise on a foot that kept her out. Coach Tisdell said her five players had to step up. She said they survived. Fouls almost created a problem but Kate Womack was able to play almost the entire fourth quarter with 4 fouls. Coach Tisdell noted the contribution made by sophomore Addy Lamb. She said Lamb has scored in just about every game she has played but she said her defensive play is the reason she was promoted to the varsity. Next for the Lady Cats is the start of district play. Friday in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School, the Lady Cats play host to Royse Cty, the #14 ranked team in Class 5A. Game time at 6:15 p.m., right before the Wildcats non-district game against McKinney North that starts at 7:30 p.m.
