The San Saba City Council set two Public Hearings prior to the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 13th at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Alderman Martha Leigh Whitten called the meeting to order and announced a quorum present. Alderman Marvin Riggs gave the invocation followed by everyone joining for the pledges to the American and Texas flags.

The first Public Hearing was to receive comments for or against condemnation of structure located at 1002 W. Harris. The Planning & Zoning Commission met in Open Session on July 12th and voted 6-0 with one abstention to recommend condemnation of this structure to the City Council. No one was present to comment.

The second Public Hearing was to receive comments concerning an application the City of San Saba is submitting to the Texas Department of Rural Affairs for Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) program funds. This meeting will allow citizens an opportunity to discuss the citizen participation plan, the development of local housing and community development needs, the amount of TxCDBG funding available, all eligible TxCDBG activities, and the use of past TxCDBG funds. No one was present to comment.

The Public Hearings ended and the regular monthly meeting began.

The Employee of the Month for July was presented to Susie Jimenez, Sabrina Maultsby and Sabrina Berryhill. The three employees work in the city office and are supervised by Charlene Lindsay. They will enjoy their gift certificate at a local restaurant, a day off with pay, and their name on a plaque.

The Council approved the following items:

1. Minutes from the June 8th Council meetings.

2. Payment of bills presented to Council.

3. Resolution No. 2010-23 to waive noise ordinance for July 31st at the Pavilion at Risien Park.

Action was taken on the following items:

A. Approved Ordinance No. 2010-07 condemning structure located at 1002 W. Harris Street by the recommendation of the City Code Enforcement Office and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

B. After discussing the need, the Council approved Ordinance No. 2010-08 amending Section 6, Ordinance No. 2010-02, to change registration and licensing requirements for plumbing contractors and allow individuals to engage in plumbing work other than on new construction.

C. Approved Resolution No. 2010-24 providing for the annexation of four tracts of land owned by the City and accepting the annexation petition of a 23.92 acre tract owned and requested by LCRA.

D. Police Chief Ray Riggs requested changes to the San Saba Police Department Policies and Procedures. One change is for the use of tasers and the second change is for impounded vehicles. The Council approved the changes.

City Manager, Stan Weik reported on the following: high pressure water lines burst last weekend causing problems and lots of work to repair; the Street Department has work backed up in town and at the golf course because of equipment breakdown; The Texas Historical Commission and TxDOT have questions regarding the use of antique street lights around the Courthouse and the use of pavers and stamped concrete on the sidewalks for the Downtown Revitalization Program which has put the project on hold.

Al Hamrick, Code Enforcement Officer reported on the following: seven condemnations have had liens filed on them due to the city clean up costs and two more will be filed for a total of $26,000-$27,000.

Construction on the new Alco Store is on schedule. The store plans to open in the middle of September.

Gale Ivy, City Secretary, reported that two awards were received from Keep Texas Beautiful. Keep San Saba Beautiful received an Award of Excellence for the Governor’s Community Achievement Award and a Silver Star Affiliate Award. Their goal is to achieve the highest award of Gold Star Affiliate.

Larry Alderson, Electrical Supervisor, reported that his department has two new employees and that his department is very busy.

Tony Guidroz, Tourism/EDC Director, reported that a new fried chicken restaurant will be opening next month at the former Broken Spoke Barbeque location on Highway 16 North; a Chinese food restaurant is looking at locations in town; and there have been inquiries for land for business use by the new Alco Store.

Being no further business, Alderman Whitten adjourned the meeting. Attending the meeting were: Aldermen Martha Leigh Whitten, Charlie Peeler, Oleta Behrens, Marvin Riggs; City Manager, Stan Weik; City Secretary, Gale Ivy; City Treasurer, Charlene Lindsay; City Employees: Al Hamrick, Larry Alderson, Susie Jimenez, Sabrina Maultsby, Sabrina Berryhill, Scott Glaze, Tony Guidroz; Citizen, John Cook; and San Saba News & Star Reporter, Alice Smith.