Sulphur Springs City Council Agenda, November 7, 2017
The City of Sulphur Springs City Council meets in regular session Tuesday, November 7th, 7 p.m. Here is their agenda:
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD AT 6:30 P.M. IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, TITLE 5, CHAPTER 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO THE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
The special meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 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.
Presentations, proclamations, and announcements.
Manager’s report will include status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
Discussion/action on second reading of Ordinance No. 2719, an ordinance of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, setting forth registration requirements and credit extension guidelines for credit access businesses; providing a penalty; providing repealing and savings clauses; proving a Texas Open Meetings Act clause; and providing an effective date of January 1, 2018.
Discussion/action on a memorandum of understanding between the City of Sulphur Springs and Christus Trinity Mother Frances committing the hospital to provide indigent care, committing the city to accept and acknowledge hospital’s commitment to provide such indigent care, and making certain representations regarding the hospital’s corporate validity and tax-exempt status.
Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1134 approving a tax abatement with Back Story Brewery.
Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1135 approving a tax abatement with Saputo.
Discussion/action on a motion to amend the bylaws for the Economic Development Corporation.
Discuss/action on Resolution No. 1136 approving two agreements with Kansas City Southern Railroad, one for the abandonment of the Gladys Alexander Crossing and one to construct a pedestrian crossing south of Buford Park.
Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2720, abandoning a portion of Gladys Alexander Street.
Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1137, a mutual aid agreement with Hopkins County regarding the Crosstown Trail.
Discussion/action on a motion to approve the purchase of 3 patrol cars from Toliver Ford.
Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1138, a resolution of the City of Sulphur Springs appointing James (Jay) Sanders to the position of Director of Public Safety.
Discussion/action on a motion to approve an economic development agreement (380 agreement) with Billie Ruth Standbridge offering certain economic incentives to develop 216 Main Street.
Discussion/action on a motion to approve the transfer of a ground lease at the airport from Danny Goggans to Clay Pinson.
Visitors and public forum.
Adjourn
Updated Manager, Finance Director Video Interview: County, City Say Firefighter Rumor False
“It is hard to dispel a rumor about something that has not happened,” according to Craig Johnson, Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1. His comment was made in response to questions asked by KSST News regarding social media posts claiming a number of firefighters would lose their job as a result of an agreement between the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Commissioners. However, no agreement has been made and the city and county have only begun discussions regarding how the two entities can work together to, as Clay Walker, City Council Place 2, says, “Produce efficiencies that would benefit both entities.”
Johnson pointed out that 18 months ago, the city and county made a deal to allow the justices of the peace to serve the city as municipal judges. Johnson said this has worked well for both entities. He called the justices, B. J. Teer and Brad Cummings, very qualified and responsible to both the county voters and the public in their capacities. Johnson said the city working with the county has been a priority for him and he anticipates more in the future.
Walker noted that the county has a tax levy of 62-cents per $100 valuation and the city has a 44-cent tax levy. He said he is looking for ways for the city and county to work together in building and maintaining infrastructure as well as public services. He sees this as a work in progress.
During the October city council meeting, both Johnson and Walker asked City Manager Marc Maxwell to begin discussions with County Judge Robert Newsom regarding ways in which the county and city can work together. The next day, Maxwell and Newsom met for a few minutes to explore avenues of future dialog.
Judge Robert Newson
County Judge Newsom told KSST News Friday morning (November 3rd) that he and the city manager did meet. However, he noted that it was and is the only meeting they have held. Newsom said there are those saying that they met last week but he was in Israel last week until Friday and that day was spent with attorneys and commissioners in preparation for litigation against the opioid industry and two doctors no longer in practice. Newsom said he is eager for Commissioners Court and the City Council to meet together. However, he stated it will be a long process to develop any future work that can be shared. Both Maxwell and Newsom stated Friday that “absolutely nothing” has been decided.
On social media, some are saying that firemen will lose jobs. One has said as many as 14 or more would lose jobs based on the rumor that the city and county would combine their fire departments. According to Maxwell recently one fireman resigned but another has been hired in his place. Maxwell stated that the city fire department has increased in number of employees and that would not change. Some on social media have also said that changes to the fire department would be on the agenda for the November City Council meeting. Maxwell noted that the only fire department related agenda item would be the appointment of Police Chief Jay Sanders as the department head for the newly created Department of Public Safety. The position will be administrator for budgets, etc. of the fire and police departments. Regarding the fire department, Johnson said he has a great respect for firefighters due to fact they are “good planners and industrious.” He said, “Our city and county need more employees like that. Having good firefighters is like having a good insurance policy.
City Finance Director Peter Karstens stated that the city has started the process of updating its comprehensive plan, a review of all the things that make Sulphur Springs what it is. He stated, “If done correctly, by the end, the community will have a blueprint on how to progress and improve on all fronts.” He pointed out the need to use tax payers money to achieve goals and objectives in the most efficient manner possible.
For both city and county, streets and roads seem to be more on the front burner.
Game Day: A Must Win by 8 or More for Wildcats
Friday night (November 3) the Greenville Lions come to town for a 7:30 p.m. district game with playoff implications for both teams. It is also Senior Night at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The Lions are having one of their best seasons in years. They are 2-2 in district play and 5-3 overall this year. The Wildcats are 1-3 in district play and 3-5 for the season. To help solidify their playoff situation, the Lions need a victory Friday. To stay in contention for a playoff spot, the Wildcats need to not only win but they need to defeat Greenville by 8 points or more.
Greenville’s second year head football coach is Darren Duke, a defensive coordinator for the Lions when they were good in the late nineties. Coach Duke is 0-1 versus the Wildcats as the Lions lost to the Wildcats 28-7 last year in Greenville. He calls this game the most important for Greenville in the past 13 years.
The Wildcats Coach is the Dean of Coaches in District 16-5A, Greg Owens, in his twelfth year. Coach Owens Sulphur Springs’ teams are 4-1 versus the Lions. Coach Owens is 80-58 with the Wildcats. We will have all the action for you live Friday night on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
PJC-SS News
GIVING LIFE
Members of the Blend Club at PJC-Sulphur Springs Center sponsored a blood drive at the campus this week that resulted in collecting 14 units of blood for Carter Bloodcare. Among the PJstudents participating were (above from left) Pauline Rubarts, Whitney Olivares, Michaela Orr and Alissa Wagner.
Lowes Heroes Project Donation to Lil’ 4’s
Lowes has a company program in every store, called the Lowes Heroes Project. This program allows Lowes to help out underfunded community projects and non-profit organizations. Assistant Store Manager Michael Farrell, is in charge of the Sulphur Springs program. Lowes Heroes Project’s newest recipient was the Lil’ 4’s. Lowes donated an insulating roof, and walls. Earlier they also donated two wall unit Air conditioning systems to the Lil’ 4’s building at 200 Fuller street. The store has continuously volunteered their time as well to helping out The Lil’ 4’s and other organizations. For more on the Lowes Heroes Project click here. To learn more about the Lil 4’s find them on facebook or click here.
Here are some photos from the construction!
Winnsboro Woman Arrested for UUMV
Laura Jamie Light, 39, of Winnsboro was stopped for no license plate on the front of a Texas registered motor vehicle she was driving without permission. The DPS trooper found that not only was she driving the vehicle without permission but she was also wanted out of Wood County for Burglary of a Habitation and for Criminal Trespass.
Light was charged for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (a state jail felony), for Burglary of a Habitation, a felony, and the criminal trespass. She is in Hopkins County jail held on bonds totaling $60,000.
Two Local Women Arrested for Drug Possession
The Special Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Martin Luther King Blvd at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Consent to search the vehicle revealed a clear bag containing a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine under the center console cup holders. Officers also located a black set of digital scales in the vehicle.
Crystal Lee Hickman, 55, of Sulphur Springs was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone, a Felony 3. She is in Hopkins County jail held on a $25,000 bond. Also arrested on this charge was Tammy Lynn Wilson, 46, of Sulphur Springs. She, too, is held on a $25,000 bond.
Tammy Lynn Wilson
Quarter Auction Fundraiser Harvests Fun and Profits for Lights of Life Campaign
Meredith Caddell, CEO of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, came up with an idea for an exciting and different kind of fundraiser for this year’s Lights of Life campaign. On November 3, 2017 in the Civic Center banquet hall, she put on a “quarter auction” where attendees could bid inexpensively on very desirable prizes from local merchants, earned when their paddle number was drawn from the hopper. It turned out to be exciting fun with over 110 bidders present and 15-20 vendors who donated two prizes each from their booths. Assisting Meredith on the auction block was her “Vanna”, Jessica Kultgen, and handling quarter sales was her office manager Betty Finn. Moving among the tables of bidders were students of the SSHS Medical Technologies Practicum classes, gathering up quarters during the evening’s fast-action fun. Proceeds amounted to over $4,100 and will be used for the final Lights of Life campaign events planned in December and January.
Jan Massey was among the happy winners
Jessica Kultgen as “Vanna”
SSHS Medical Technologies Practicum students gathered the quarters into a large glass container, displayed by Landon Caden
Freeze Damage & How to Spot It By Mario Villarino
Fall, winter, and spring bring the danger of frosts and freezes to Texas gardens, orchards, and landscapes. Although sporadic and unpredictable, these cold spells have left their mark on horticulture in Texas by wiping out peach crops, freezing pecans in their shucks, forcing the replanting of spring vegetables, killing valuable landscape plants, and necessitating the replacement of beloved avocado, citrus, and fig trees. Home gardeners and commercial growers can minimize these losses by understanding how cold affects plants and implementing diverse strategies to protect them. When the water inside plant cells freezes, ice crystals form that can pierce and damage the cell walls, killing the cells. As temperatures rise, fluids leak out of those cells and they begin to decay. In the coming weeks, I will be addressing weather related issues including cold spells as our winter season unfolds.
Freeze damage first appears as dark, water-soaked tissues that later turn brown or black and dry up many ornamental and edible plants have mechanisms to resist freeze damage. Trees and woody plants that go dormant, such as pecan and peach, can tolerate very low winter temperatures. However, they can be injured if they are too slow to stop growth in the fall or begin growing too quickly in the spring. Many species of woody evergreens, such as hollies, can tolerate tremendous cold. Subtropical plants such as citrus and palms have variable levels of cold hardiness; some can withstand mild to moderate subfreezing temperatures. Their survival depends on their age, condition, size, and genetic mechanisms for acclimation (gain in the ability to withstand freezing) and the depth and duration of the cold.
Some species of herbaceous (non-woody) plants are cold tolerant, enduring all but the most severe cold in Texas. Examples are perennials like lilies and irises and annuals like violas and sweet alyssum. However, many spring- and summer-growing annuals and perennials may be damaged at, near, or even above freezing (32°F). Likewise, most fruit and vegetable structures have little resistance to freezing temperatures, prompting a quick harvest when the forecast calls for frost. Because Texas weather is often erratic, these guides do not always predict plant performance in freezes exactly. They also cannot account for a particular farm or landscape being colder or warmer than its surroundings because of its topography, urban microclimate, nearness to bodies of water, etc. Plants can generally acclimate to freezing weather when they are exposed to consistent, gradually colder weather. Intermittent warm periods, not uncommon in Texas, can cause the plants to deacclimate, leaving them more vulnerable to damage in a frost or freeze. To help plants withstand frosts and freezes, do not fertilize with nitrogen or harshly prune them in late summer, which will stimulate growth and make them less winter hardy.
For more information in freeze and cold protection or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
