City Manager's Report for December 2019
Below is the City Manager’s Report reported by Marc Maxwell Dec. 3, to Sulphur Springs City Council by
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The construction on all of the functional elements at the wastewater treatment plant is complete. All that remains is construction of the road. The plant is completely operational.
Bellview Street
The Bellview project has begun. Installation of sewer mains is ongoing.
Connally Street
The contractor on this project is nearly finished with the construction of the street itself. They should finish this week. The Capital Construction Division will finish construction of sidewalks, driveway approaches and cross-street connections within 90 days.
Cantex Lift Station
The lift station is complete. Kudos to the utility department for a job well done.
Claims
We had no liability claims in November. We had one workers’ compensation claim for a puncture wound to the left hand while unloading brush from a trailer.
Revenues and Expenditures
Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures as it is the first of the month.
Additional Reports
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids reading of .68 mg/L.
- Repaired 5 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 17 water meters.
- Unstopped 31 sewer mains.
- Repaired 5 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Treated 130 million gallons of potable water.
- Sold 2,804 gallons of AvGas and 15,868 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Checked out 2,616 items from the library plus 754 eBooks.
- Conducted 30 building inspections, 37 electrical inspections, 25 plumbing inspections, 5 mechanical inspections and issued 30 building permits.
- Responded to 151 animal control calls and achieved an adoption rate of 50 percent.
- Made 3 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 2,243 police calls, made 49 arrests, recorded 45 offences, wrote 568 citations and responded to 47 accidents in the Patrol Division.
- Responded to 175 fire/rescue calls including 1 vehicle fire, 4 structure fires and 14 grass fires.
- Conducted 36 fire inspections and reviewed 36 pre-fire plans.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 76 fire hydrants.
- Trimmed trees at Veteran’s Memorial.
- Began winter maintenance on all equipment.
- Cleaned out entire ditch on Reservoir Street.
- Put up Christmas lights and decorations on Plaza.
- Power washed sidewalks in multiple locations.
- Barricades for Veteran’s Day parade.
- Made 3 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Patched 169 potholes.
- Repaired 2 “Stop” signs.
- Repaired part of the driveway at Fire Station 1 that had caved in.
- Repaired bollard behind Pioneer Cafe.
- Hauled crushed concrete and spread to fill in holes and repair the City’s part of the road at Century Lake.
Chamber Connection For Dec. 5, 2019
By Lezley Brown, president/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The Sulphur Springs Hopkins County EDC and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone for attending the Economic Outlook Conference at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The conference was a huge success with special thanks to our Gold Sponsors: Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Farmers Electric Co-op, and Ocean Spray.
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2020 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
Hopkins County EMS is hosting their Christmas tree decorating contest
Hopkins County EMS is hosting their annual Christmas Tree decorating contest on Friday, Dec. 6, on Celebration Plaza. For rules and additional information, visit EMS on Facebook at Hopkins County EMS.
Lion’s Club will host the 12th Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 6.
The Lion’s Club is hosting the 12th Annual Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. The parade begins at Buford Park and goes east on Connally Street to the square, turns left onto Church Street, and left on Houston Street to end in the Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot (watch the Lion’s Club Facebook page for possible route changes due to construction on Connally Street).
CASA hosts their annual Cookie Walk
CASA is hosting their annual Cookie Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Cookies are sold for $5 a pound. Go by there and load up on Christmas cookies while supporting our local CASA!
Heritage Park will host Christmas in the Park on Saturday, Dec. 7
The Hopkins County Historical Society presents Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 7, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visit with Santa, see the light displays, listen to live music, enjoy hot cocoa, old-fashioned cider, coffee and cookies, and begin your Christmas shopping in the Country Store.
Santa Cause 5K presented by Nations Lending
Nations Lending is hosting a Santa Cause 5K Without the Sleigh benefitting the Reed-Cavanaugh families at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Pizza Inn, 1320 Mockingbird Lane in Sulphur Springs. For additional information, contact Nations Lending at 202 Church Street in Sulphur Springs.
North East Texas Choral Society presents Hearts Come Home for Christmas
North East Texas Choral Society presents Hearts Come Home for Christmas on December 7 th at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. in the SSHS Auditorium in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. You may purchase tickets online at www.singerscount.org.
Sister Babyz hosts 8th Annual Fashion Show
Sister Babyz will host their annual Fashion Show on Friday, Dec. 13, at BackStory Brewery, 211 Magnolia St. in Sulphur Springs. Happy Hour begins at 6 p.m., Fashion Show begins at 7 p.m., and shopping the show begins at 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are available for purchase at Sister Babyz, 135 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, or at www.sisterbabyz.com.
Main Street Theater Presents A Christmas Carol
The Main Street Theater Community Players Presents A Christmas Carol. Performances will be Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, December 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Online reservations can be
made at www.communityplayersinc.com or by calling (903) 885-0107. Main Street Theater is located at 225 Main Street in Sulphur Springs.
Chaffer’s Place presents their monthly concert
Chaffer’s Place, located at 410 Main St. in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a live concert featuring music from the soundtrack of The Preacher’s Wife. The concert will be held on Dec. 19, and doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. This includes dinner and a show! For more information call 470-848-2246 or visit www.ckproductions.info. Chaffer’s Place also offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Ribbon Cuttings
TLC Chiropractic hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at noon. They are located at 2655 Highway 11 East in Sulphur Springs.
Tira News for Dec. 4, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Jamie Brice. His funeral service was Monday afternoon, Dec. 2, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Please be in prayer for his family.
The Tira City Council met on Monday, Dec. 2, for their regular quarterly meeting. The group discussed food pantry storage, building and grounds upkeep and repairs, and routine business. Following the meeting the members decorated the Center for the Community Christmas party, which is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. The Tira Volunteer Firefighters will be recognized for their service to our community. Make plans to come enjoy good food, fun, and fellowship with your neighbors. Brisket and tea will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share. The Christmas story will be read, and then Santa will be stopping by to visit with the kids.
Joyce Dodd reported, “William and I had a smaller gathering this year for Thanksgiving. As our family grows, it has branched out to spend time with other in-laws and family. We missed those who didn’t get to come, but those who did attend were Michael McNiel, Jerry and Tonja Lucas, Brad, Tanya, and Matthew Dodd, Trenton Dodd and Melony Huffman.”
Landon and Laiken Joslin and the boys, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden, hosted Thanksgiving dinner for family on Thursday evening. Joining them were Randy and Fran Harris, Malcolm and Kenden Joslin, Emma Hall (Kenden’s girlfriend), and Chip and I. We had way too much to eat, but everything was so good. After the meal, we had fun playing charades.
Elizabeth (Liz) Steinsiek had Johnny and Cilla Hudson and Gerald and Dee Osbon over for lunch at her cabin on Thanksgiving day. On Friday, our family gathered there with her for another Thanksgiving meal. Those attending were Michael, Tracy, Jordyn, Madison, and Lani Horn from Schertz (near San Antonio); Delayne Vaughn from Waco; Linda Ellen Vaughn from Dallas; Tiffany and Perry Gilbert and Jaidyn Joslin from Malvern, Arkansas; Kenden Joslin and his girlfriend, Emma; Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin; and Chip and myself. We enjoyed eating and visiting. The boys had fun fishing from the pier in the rain and the girls played cards. Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden spent Saturday night with us and went to church with us on Sunday morning.
I hope to have more news about Thanksgiving gatherings 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].
Wildcats Change Flow of Paris Game With Third Quarter Half Court Trap
For the first couple of quarters and a half, Paris looked like it was going to be their night against the Wildcats Basketball Team Tuesday night (December 3) in Sulphur Springs. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Paris was shooting the ball well and the Wildcats weren’t doing much to make them uncomfortable. It other words, Paris was in a groove. Coach Cipoletta chose to change the dynamic of the game. He instituted a half court trap. The move seemed to give the Wildcats energy and they started to get steals and to cause turnovers. The Wildcats used the boost to tie the game after three quarters and then to win it in the final period. Coach Cipoletta said Justin Brock hit a big three in the fourth quarter and Grayson McClure hit two of them. He said point guard Lamodrick Johnson did a good job in the second half after a rocky first half. He said Day Day Hall was hard to stop and he added he was real proud of Cameron Kahn. Coach Cipoletta said Kahn did not play well last week but came out strong Tuesday night. He said Kahn had to overcome foul trouble. Kahn led the Wildcats with 20 points including 9 big third quarter points when the Wildcats went on their big run. Coach Cipoletta said he was proud of his team and the way they stuck together to overcome adversity. He compared it to a storm that has to be weathered before calm water returns. The Wildcats play next in the Mansfield ISD Spring Creek Barbeque Classic Tournament that runs Thursday through Saturday.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Could Not Find a Lot to Like in Terrell Loss Tuesday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team had a tough night on the road at Terrell Tuesday night (December 3). After leading 22-11 at the half, the Lady Cats watched Terrell catch up and pass them by. Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell says the Lady Cats came out in the second half playing soft. They encountered foul trouble. She says once the Lady Cats lost the momentum, they could not get it back. The game in regulation ended in a 43-43 tie. The Lady Tigers won in overtime. Coach Tisdell believes the final score was 49-45. She says the Lady Cats played terribly with lots of turnovers. She says the Lady Cats did not look like themselves. She calls it one of their worst games of the season. Coach Tisdell says it appeared that Terrell wanted it more than the Lady Cats did and it showed. She says she knows the Lady Cats have a lot on their minds at this time of year including final exams. Coach Tisdell says it did not look like they were thinking about basketball. She said they played with no energy or passion. Coach Tisdell says the Lady Cats have to correct a lot of little stuff, like being consistent, hitting free throws, making better passes and communicating. The Lady Cats, now 3-6 for the season play next in a Glen Rose tournament Thursday through Saturday. They face Burnet and then maybe Wall, ranked #9 in Class 3A. The tournament includes overnight stays for the Lady Cats and Coach Tisdell is hoping the team spends a lot of time hanging out with each other and bonding.
Sulphur Springs Will Again Be 5A, Division II For Football and 5A For All Other Sports
Wildcats Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Greg Owens found out Tuesday (December 3) that Sulphur Springs will again be a 5A school for the next biennial alignment. The Wildcats will again be in 5A, Division II (smaller schools) for football. Sulphur Springs’ submitted number of 1251 students was just 42 more than the top cutoff level for Class 4A. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young told Coach Owens he thought there were only six 5A schools smaller than Sulphur Springs. Coach Owens said the UIL began letting schools know what classification they would be in two years ago. On Monday, February 3, the UIL will announce district alignments for the next biennial. The big guessing game now is what district the Wildcats will wind up in. Coach Owens said his gut tells him the Wildcats will basically find themselves in about the same football district they are in now. Kaufman has dropped down to 4A. Royse City will be going somewhere else as a Division I (bigger schools) team in 5A. Others that might come in include Mesquite Poteet, which is down to 5A, Division II from Division I. Crandall is up to Class 5A, Division II from 4A. The Wildcats and Texas High football rivalry might be on again. Texas High has dropped from 5A Division I to Division II. Coach Owens also speculates that the Wildcats might be joining some old East Texas district foes. He said he believes it may all depend of Nacogdoches, Coach Owens said if Nac stays in their current East Texas district, the Wildcats will probably head for a Metroplex district. He said if Nac ends up heading down College Station way, the Wildcats might be reunited with old East Texas foes like Hallsville, Marshall, Pine Tree and Mount Pleasant. Longview has also dropped from 6A to 5A but they are a Division I school so they won’t be a district match for football. But they could be a match for all the other Wildcats and Lady Cats sports. The UIL releases the classification cutoffs and list of schools in each to help the schools’ planning. Coach Owens said he is once again leaning toward scheduling Frisco Wakeland and Lovejoy as non-district foes for the next two years. He feels the Wildcats will be in an eight team district or perhaps again in a nine team district. Only the UIL knows their current thinking on all this and they aren’t saying until February 3.
Rare Off Night For Ranked Saltillo Lady Lions at Home Against Gilmer
It was a rare off night Tuesday for the #16 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions. The Lady Lions lost to Gilmer, 54-40 Tuesday at home. The Lady Buckeyes got off to a fast start and led 14-5 after the first quarter. Saltillo made some headway in the second quarter but still trailed, 21-14 at halftime. Gilmer extended their lead after three quarters going up, 43-30. Saltillo Coach Bill Giles said the Lady Lions played uninspired and shot really poorly. He added he hoped the Lady Lions would start playing better ball at their next game on Thursday. Tuesday the Lady Lions were led in scoring by Chandler Bain with 13 points. Allie Lane had 9 points, Anna Reeder scored 7 points, Brittney Peeples had 5 points and Julianna Giles and Kristina Wade scored 3 points each. The Lady Lions season record is now 8-4. The Lady Lions play next at a Dodd City tournament on Thursday against North Lamar at 2:30 p.m. and against Sam Rayburn at 5:30 p.m.
2019 4-H Hopkins County Agricultural Plan
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, Texas
Relevance
4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, 63 percent of Texas 4-H members are enrolled in a livestock project. These projects provide youth with subject matter education, as well as valuable learning experiences, character education and leadership skills.
Adult volunteer engagement is critical to administer the program and expand outreach. The development of youth volunteers as ambassadors for agriculture and natural resources will educate and recruit other youth to the project.
Today, youth are further removed from farming. Many do not understand the importance of agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives.
This plan included a Science of Agriculture (Ag Literacy/Awareness) program component to target elementary students (grades 4) and teachers in Hopkins County, and provides the following educational components: Educational support materials for Science of Agriculture including Ag Day/Ag Fair field trip and information about 4-H opportunities for the participants and parents. Water conservation/protection awareness will be also included.
Hopkins County will utilize 4-H Livestock Project Coalitions to provide direction and support for the programs and events conducted. The programs and events provided support unities for 4-Hers to develop or improve their leadership skills and other life skills.
Volunteer recruitment, training, and utilization will be an important component of the plan. This plan involved 200 youth and 60 volunteers in projects and 900 in curriculum enrichment component in Ag/NR 4-H projects.
Response
- 12 Veterinary Science Sessions monthly, 12 participants
- 2 State Heifer Validation
- NETLA Steer Validation
- 6 Coalition Meetings
- NETLA Swine Validation, November
- District Dairy Judging Contest, January
- District Livestock Judging, April
- HC 4-H Round Up, 36 participants
- NETLA project visits, 36
- NETLA Junior Livestock Show, February, 330 exhibitors
- Ag in the Classroom (October, 900 youth, 80 adults)
- Goat Clipping Clinic (February, 4 youth)
- Goat and Lamb Showmanship Clinic (10 youth)
- Shot Gun District Competition (May, 110 youth)
- Poultry Clinic (November, 25 youth)
- NETLA Dairy Show (June, 12 youth)
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Results
A specific pre- and post-test was conducted in a statistically significant subsample (50 students) in a randomly selected 4th grade school class in Hopkins County, with post test results as follows:
- 63 percent (40/64) indicated a better understanding of the connection between agriculture and health.
- 84 percent (53/63) have a better understanding of the path food takes to get to their plate.
- 63 percent (40/64) have a better understanding of the importance and nutritional values of food
- 77 percent (49/64) have a better understanding of the way farmers and ranchers produce the food they eat.
- 61 percent (39/64) have a better understanding of the value of agriculture and how it is important in life.
- 83 percent (52/63) have a better understanding of the importance of eating a healthy diet and a variety of food.
Impact
Agriculture and Natural Resource Projects in Texas remained a cornerstone for youth programs in 4-H. Hopkins County is no exception. More than 50 livestock projects and numerous public speaking and educational presentations were based on agriculture and natural resources.
The Hopkins County Extension Office would like to recognize the multiple organizations supporting curriculum enrichment experiences and Hopkins Rains Farm Bureau for their support, leadership and commitment to our youth in Hopkins County during the 2018 Ag in the Classroom.
The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.
City Appraisal District Board Representative Appointed
Of the two appointments Sulphur Springs City Council was asked to consider appointing, only one received approval; the other was tabled at the Dec. 3 City Council meeting.
City Secretary Gale Roberts recommended Bill Watts to serve another term on the Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Watts has served on the board since 2010. Before Watts, Michael Barrett served on HCCAD Board.
Roberts said she contacted Watts, who said he would be willing to serve another 2 years on the appraisal district board.
The city council approved Resolution No. 1186, appointing Watts to the position.
The City Council was also asked to consider appointing a person to fill a Planning and Zoning Commission opening.
Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski explained that one P&Z commissioner felt the need to step down from the board due to personal reasons. The board is seeking a replacement to be appointed as soon as possible to fill that seat on the commission.
Councilman John Sellers asked about names that’d been talked about at a previous retreat.
Roberts reported four individuals had previously been discussed as potential options. However, to her knowledge none of them had been contacted regarding potential willingness to serve on the commission.
Sellers recommended tabling the appointment until they had time to confer and ask people if they’d be willing to serve. The council unanimously agreed, tabling the item until a future meeting.
