Mayor Ken Jordan called to order the regular monthly meeting of the City Council of the City of San Saba on Tuesday, July 8th, at 6 p.m. The invocation was led by Shawn Oliver, followed by everyone standing for the pledges to the American and Texas flags.

The Council approved the minutes for the June 3rd and June 10th City Council meetings. There were no citizens signed up for public comments.

Stan Weik presented the Joe Ragsdale Employee of the Month award to Wayne Yarbrough, who has been a City employee for 22 years. Wayne's wife, Kay, attended the meeting with him.

The Council approved the following consent items:

• Payment of bills;

• Citizen Participation Plan; and

• The Dove Project Proclamation for their 10th anniversary.

The Council addressed the last item on the agenda so that the people involved could give their comments and leave after the decision. A gate at the park swung and struck the car belonging to Roberto Mendoza on June 5th, causing $770.88 in damage. The matter was presented to the City's insurance that rejected the claim because it was an "act of God." After discussion, the Council felt they were responsible and voted unanimously to pay the $770.88 for damages to the automobile.

After discussion, the Council approved Ordinance 2008-16 - Condemnation of Structure, located at 301 S. Live Oak. The Council discussed and denied Ordinance 2008-17 for Variance of Mobile Home Park Regulations for property located at 1404 W. Sunset, with a majority denial vote of 3-2. In addition, Ordinance 2008-18 for Variance of Mobile Home Park Regulations for property located at 302 W. Annex was denied with an unanimous vote.

The following items were discussed and received an unanimous approval:

• Ordinance 2008-19 - Sale of Real Property to Harold A. Richards, located out of the Calvin Weaver Survey 39, in the City of San Saba;

• Ordinance 2008-20 - Amendment to Ordinance 2008-03, to increase Electric Usage Rates for all customers to one-half cent;

• Lease with San Saba ISD for athletic fields, e.g., track and baseball fields, and concessions, in the Mill Pond Park area. A contract will be issued;

• Increase water rates for the North San Saba Water Supply Cooperative from $1.19 per 1,000 gallons to $1.61, effective July 1, 2008. There has not been an increase in rates since 1992.; and

• Resolution 2008-17, permitting a Variance of Ordinance No. 1967-4, an Ordinance defining noise nuisances for a wedding on July 19th.

Stan Weik's City Manager's Report included the following:

• Announced public hearing on Wednesday, July 9th;

• Showed Council entrance signs that had been ordered;

• Gave information of streets that are being coated and sealed;

• Made suggestions for old pool site to preserve part of it and enhance and beautify the area;

• Water Department is in process of replacing water and sewer lines, as well as working with the installers for the new electric lines on Commerce Street;

• Al Hamrick, the City Inspecter/Fire Marshall's computer has crashed and he has requested a new one. Al reported working with a business to correct plumbing and electrical issues;

• Received a "Thank You" note from the library;

• Need a new digger truck. Also, in the process of getting prices on another garbage truck to replace the one that is always breaking down; and

• The survey people are on the job to qualify the City for a grant for financial help for the Sanitation Plant.

Tony Guidroz reported that there were 168 new folks in town for the Pecan Capitol Trade Days on July 5th. The advertisements have been very effective and the vendors have been great. Dee Vickers provided July's entertainment from 10 a.m. to noon.

Buddy Whitley showed a video of a person helping a homeowner to properly dispose of grease, oil, and food scraps, which could possibly clog up the pipes. Some suggestions were as follows: scrap dishes with a towel and put in the trash; absorb grease, oil, or butter with a paper towel; pour used oil into empty plastic bottles; and use "kitty litter" to absorb engine oil.

The Budget meeting for July 15th was cancelled and rescheduled for July 29th.

Those attending the meeting were: Mayor Ken Jordan; Aldermen - Oleta Behrens, Charles Peeler, Martha Leigh Whitten, Shawn Oliver and Marvin Riggs; City Manager Stan Weik; Director of Economic Development and Tourism Tony Guidroz; Roger Verette, Al Hamrick, Sylvia Gomez, Amber Gomez, Jose Roberto Mendoza, Fred Hardy, Scott Glaze, Buddy Whitley, Wayne Yarbrough, Kay Yarbrough; Gale Ivy, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, City Treasurer; and Alice Smith, Reporter for the San Saba News & Star.