Scrap Tire Agreement, Park Drilling Ordinance Among Matters Address By Sulphur Springs City Council
An ordinance amendment which will increase the city’s chances of obtaining a grant was given approved, on first reading, by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night.
Also approve by the council Tuesday night were resolutions adopting a fund balance policy, in support of a local apartment group’s application for funding assistance for renovations and an inter-local agreement with Hopkins County for the collection and processing of scrap tires. A brief executive session for “personnel matters specifically relating to the city manager.”
Ordinance No. 2761
The City Council approved, on first reading, Ordinance No. 2761, which renames Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances “City Parks & Lakes,” and adds Article IV, entitled “City Parks” to Chapter 8, and two sections to establish regulations to protect parks and park patrons, regulating users of public parks, and prohibiting drilling and mining or the reopening of any abandoned well or mine in any public park located within the city limits.”
Basically, in order to obtain or be eligible for certain parks grant funding, the city needs an ordinance which prohibits drilling or mining in city parks. The amendment does that, city officials explained.
Resolutions
The city council also approved Tuesday night approved two resolutions
Resolution No. 1182 establishes a city Fund Balance Policy. The city has applied this policy, but per for auditing purposes is required to have one in place.
Resolution No. 1182 simply shows the city’s in support of LPM Housing’s “application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for housing tax credits and direct loan funds for the Trinity Oaks Apartments on Woodlawn Street.”
This marks the third time the business has applied for the funding to remodel the Woodlawn Street apartments. The resolution shows the city is in support of LPM making the application, which would cover costs of displacing eight people during the renovation process, but does not require any funding or other comparable commitment for the city, according to city officials.
Inter-local agreement
Approval was given for the city to enter into an inter-local agreement with the county for the collection and processing of scrap tires.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court in October approved the agreement, which has the two government entities partnering to re-use parts of scrap tires, utilizing the process called mechanical concrete to help improve some city and county roads.
Essentially, the county will collect scrap automobile and light truck tires at regular intervals, approximately twice a month. The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, according to the agreement approved by the Commissioners Court.
Inmates from Hopkins County jail would remove the sidewalls from tires on Houston Street by the jail, using a $4,500 tire ring removal device purchased and jointly owned by both the city and county.
The tire rings would then be used in road rebuilding to help stabilize the road bases, a process called mechanical concrete. Ideally, it will save money in the rebuilding process, help stabilize and extend the life of some roads, while helping to get rid of scrap tires as well, according to city and county officials.
Mechanical concrete serves as a good road base, especially if there’s not much on top such as asphalt or concrete, which are designed to keep water out to keep the road base from eroding, City Manager Marc Maxwell said following the commissioners court’s approval of the agreement.
The city would not use the process for every city street that is rebuilt, but it could provide a suitable base for a street that’s not asphalt or concrete paved and has a bar ditch, according to Maxwell.
The cylinders would be stored at a city site. The sidewalls would be disposed of in roll-off trash containers provided by the city, according to the agreement.
The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, which would be used to pay licensing fees for the patented mechanical concrete process, disposal of sidewalls and for jailers to supervise trusties.
The contract is for one year at a time.
Executive Session
An “very brief” executive session was held at the end of the meeting for “Personnel Matters specifically relating to the City Manager.” The council reconvened in public session following the closed session, then adjourned without further comment on the matter, according to city officials.
According to the meeting agenda, the discussion was held in closed session per Texas Government Code, Title 5, Chapter 551.074. Government bodies aren’t required to meet in open meeting ” (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee.”
The agenda did not call for action on the matter at that time.
When asked Wednesday about the executive session, Sulphur Springs City Attorney Jim McLeroy said he could not discuss executive session personnel matters. McLeroy did confirmed no action was taken following the session, and that Maxwell is still employed as the city manger and has not tendered his resignation.
Coach Owens Comments on Senior Night and North Forney at Weekly Media Gathering Wednesday
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens at his weekly media gathering Wednesday morning (November 6) called Senior Night special and emotional. The Wildcats will honor seniors Friday before their game against North Forney at Gerald Prim Stadium. Coach Owens added he finds Senior Night to be enjoyable. He said all the Wildcats’ coaches will interact with the senior players before the game Friday. Coach Owens said North Forney still has a chance at the playoffs entering play Friday but he said the Wildcats also have something to play for, a chance to win their last game of the season. Concerning the North Forney offense, Coach Owens said they are explosive. He said their use a fast tempo offense and work toward making big plays. He said they also like to use trick plays. The Falcons have a good quarterback, running back and receivers. Coach Owens said the Falcons have three very talented defensive linemen. He called them strong, fast and explosive. He said the North Forney secondary is filled with ballhawking playmakers. Coach Owens said the Wildcats’ defense would need to line up properly and make tackles. He said Falcons Coach Randy Jackson has made a lot of coaching stops. Coach Owens said perhaps his best job was a rebuilding effort at Mesquite Poteet.
Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Opens Playoffs With 3-0 Win Over Yantis
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears played a strong match Tuesday (November 5) at Harts Bluff and defeated Yantis, 3-0 in a Class 1A Region III bi-district playoff. The score was 25-14, 25-14 and 25-12. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton said the win secured the title of bi-district and area champs for Sulphur Bluff. The Lady Bears also won their 20th game of the season. For the Lady Bears, Alley Collett had 25 service points, 1 kill and 16 assists. Ann Dorner had 2 service points and 6 kills. Jada Wade had 8 service points and 4 kills. Skylar Stanley had 6 service points and 2 blocks. Dalena di Donato had 5 service points including 3 aces. Hannah Byrd had a service point and Coach Peyton credited her for having great coverage on the floor. Coach Peyton said Angel Brown made some big plays and hustled to save out of system balls. Taylor Wallis and Molly Kelley, both up from the JV, had service points. Tori Raine had 4 kills. Cierra Johnson had 2 service points, 2 kills and 1 assist. Coach Peyton said see was really proud of how her girls played as a team and stayed positive. Sulphur Bluff will now advance to the Regional Quarterfinals and will face the winner of a Miller Grove and Union Hill match. Coach Peyton said if Miller Grove wins, Sulphur Bluff will play Miller Grove next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Sulphur Springs.
PJC Sulphur Springs News
CUTTING EDGE
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding student Adrian Banuelos of Birthright, left, is cutting a piece of metal as part of his structural welding class project. Welding Instructor John Plemons is giving him some guidance during the process.
Sulphur Springs City Council Agrees To Amend Luminant Agreement Regarding FM 1870 Overpass
Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night approved an amendment to the development agreement inked with Luminant in October of 2018, assuming Luminant’s obligations regarding the FM 1870 overpass and indemnifying Luminant.
The City of Sulphur Springs has a development agreement with Luminant regarding the Thermo Mine to close out conditions for the transfer of property to the city. The last condition before the transfer can occur is for Luminant to be released of all liabilities and obligations regarding the FM 1870 overpass with TxDOT, Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Niewiadomski explained during the council’s October meeting.
To accomplish this, the city has been working with TxDOT to fully integrate the bridge onto their system and leave the bridge in place. TxDOT, Niewiadomski reported, has indicated $100,000 in repairs would be adequate for them to perform maintenance and take it onto their system and be responsible for future maintenance.
The city in turn will need to execute agreement with TxDOT and pay $100,000 to remove the liability and obligations regarding the FM 1870 overpass. Once the terms of the agreement are finalized by TxDOT and executed, the city can close out conditions with Luminant and take possession of the property, according to the city official’s report.
Sulphur Springs City Council at their Oct. 1 meeting approved the resolution with TxDOT. Tuesday night, Nov. 6, the council approved an amendment to the development agreement with Luminant, assuming Luminant’s obligations regarding overpass and indemnifying Luminant.
Rollover Crash On I-30 West Of Sulphur Springs Results In Methamphetamine Arrest
A 55-year-old Como woman was arrested on a controlled substance charge following a one-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 30 Tuesday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies; EMS; Hopkins County, Cumby and Brinker firefighters; and Cumby police were dispatched at 9:20 p.m. Nov. 5 to a crash in which a vehicle reportedly rolled over into the median, landing on its top, near mile marker 114 on Interstate 30 east. Initially, two people were reported to be trapped in the vehicle
Upon arrival, officials reported seeing an orange Dodge Avenger upside down in the median between the eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic on I-30. The woman was reportedly seated and was reluctant to exit the car, but eventually did get out with her purse. She allegedly told the officers her wallet was inside the car. Officers, in arrest reports noted multiple wallets visible throughout the vehicle.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputies Zack Horne and Nick Marney alleged one of the officers saw a clear broken glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine with a white, crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine resting in the door ledge and window, visible from the rear passengers side of the car.
The 55-year-old Como woman, identified in arrest reports as Gayle Lynn Walker, reportedly refused medical treatment from EMS personnel and was placed into custody.
Deputies then searched for the woman’s wallet inside the car. The deputies allegedly found a chewing tobacco can with her name scratched onto the side of it and a small amount of marijuana inside of it, a first-aid box containing suspected methamphetamine residue and a small mint can with a folded dollar bill with suspected methamphetamine on it, two small bags of suspected marijuana and additional baggies of suspected methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
Walker was transported to jail. The substance field-tested positive as meth and weighed over 8 grams, resulting in Walker’s arrest for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Walker was released from jail Wednesday morning, Nov. 6. Her bond was set at $25,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Pep Rally and Youth Super Bowl This Week
All three Sulphur Springs Youth Football and Cheer teams advance to the Youth Super Bowl held on Saturday November 9th, 2019. The public is invited to attend the game and cheer these kids on. The game starts at 10AM at Lindale Eagles Stadium.
Participants range from grades 1st to 6th.
A pep rally is planned for Friday 6PM at Sulphur Springs High School Track. Everyone is invited to come out and show support.
The mission of Sulphur Springs Youth Football and Cheer is to provide a rewarding experience for youth that will extend into everyday lives. It is our goal to instill in our youth a sense of community and promote qualities such as:
- TEAMWORK
- COMMITMENT
- LEADERSHIP
- RESPONSIBILITY
- INTEGRITY
- SPORTSMANSHIP
- RESPECT
- PERSEVERANCE
- SCHOLARSHIP
CJAA Texas Jet Blast Pilots Arrive Today
CJAA Pilots are expected to begin arriving at the Sulphur Springs Airport Wednesday afternoon. KSLR was chosen at the site for the 2019 ‘Jet Blast’ a fly in and training opportunity for jet aircraft pilots from across the country.
Due to weather conditions around the United States some aircraft may be delayed. Sulphur Springs Airport and Tourism Director Joey Baker said, “No one has cancelled reservations at local hotels.” Baker went on to say that, “There may be some delays in the activities, but nothing is cancelled at this time.”
These local businesses helped make the ‘Jet Blast’ a success:
- The Southwest Dairy Museum donated ice cream treats
- Alliance Bank provided a freezer for the ice cream
- Lucky Donut provided a weeks worth of donuts and pastries
- Fix and Feed provided bottled water
- Famer’s Electric COOP provided bottled water
- Saputo provided coffee creamers
- Ocean Spray provided juice
The airport terminal building is always open to the public. The public is invited to come to the terminal building to watch activities. However the public will not be able to venture into Aircraft Operating Areas.
A mix of activities will be happening around Hopkins County. Some will be on the ground at KSLR, and some will be at altitude. The ‘Jet Blast’ is not necessarily a public event. It is an opportunity for jet pilots to gain skills and certifications. There will be aerobatics preformed over KSLR, but there will not be a public airshow.
