The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, December 13th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Whitten called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. There was a break from 6:25- 6:38, and a break from 6:40-6:49. Alderman Marcus Amthor gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.
The following Council members were in attendance: Robert Whitten, Mayor Pro-Tem; Oleta Behrens, Alderman; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; and Michael Nelson, Alderman. Others present at this meeting were: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; Joann Weik, Citizen; Greg Pannell, Citizen; Robert Filarski, PSRBB Architects; Paul Vishaway, Chase Pecan; Paul Stewart, Citizen; Don Lindquist, CEO Chase Pecan; Michael Whitley, Golf Course; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.
Open Public Hearings -
Mayor Pro-Tem Whitten opened the Public Hearings.
PUBLIC HEARING
The City of San Saba will hold a public hearing at 6:00 PM on December 13, 2021, at City Hall, 303 S. Clear Street, San Saba, Texas, to receive comments from the Public regarding the following:
1) Don Lindquist, CEO for Chase Pecan is requesting that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the San Saba City Council approve a Zoning Variance to the City of San Saba's zoning ordinance in regard to the Allowable Building Height from 50’ to 63’ Above the Finished Floor Level of the New Addition to the Existing Facility, for property located at 2803 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, a certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in San Saba County, Texas, containing 9.86 acres, more or less, out of the James Beard Survey No. 40, Abstract No. 141, and being the same property described in a deed from Dean Bagley, et ux, to Dean Bagley, Jr., dated September 22, 1982, recorded in Vol. 177, page 620, Deed Records of San Saba County, Texas. The Planning and Zoning Commission met in Open Session on December 2, 2021 and voted with a 4 to 0 Vote in favor of approving the Zoning Variance to the Existing Zoning requirements regarding the Allowable Building Height from 50' to 63' Above the Finished Floor Level of the New Addition to the Existing Facility, for property located at 2803 W. Wallace, San Saba, Texas.
2) Don Lindquist, CEO for Chase Pecan is requesting that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the San Saba City Council approve a Zoning Change for property located at 2803 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, a certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in San Saba County, Texas, containing 9.86 acres, more or less, out of the James Beard Survey No. 40, Abstract No. 141, and being the same property described in a deed from Dean Bagley, et ux, to Dean Bagley, Jr., dated September 22, 1982, recorded in Vol. 177, page 620, Deed Records of San Saba County, Texas, from (C-2) Local and Through Highway Business to (I-2) Heavy Industrial.
The Planning and Zoning Commission met in Open Session on December 2, 2021 and voted with a 4 to 0 Vote in favor of approving the Zoning Change currently zoned Local and Through Highway Business (C-2) to Heavy Industrial (I-2) for property located at 2803 W. Wallace, San Saba, Texas.
Mr. Robert Filarski from Eagle Pass addressed the City Council on behalf of Don Lindquist CEO of Chase Pecan. He gave a presentation on building plans that Chase Pecan has and showed how this will address concerns in the community with noise. This will keep traffic off of Wallace. He said the new equipment will be in the building, and this will help with noise issues.
Close Public Hearing
Mayor Pro-Tem Whitten closed the Public Hearing at 6:12 p.m.
Public Comments:
None
Ceremonial Presentations:
None
Consent Agenda Items:
1. Minutes from the November 9th, 2021 Council Meeting.
2. Payment of bills presented to the City Council.
3. Approve Resolution No. 2021-51 reappointing four members (Kathleen Hawkins, Gale lvy, Rhonda Killion, and Lucia Martinez) of the Keep San Saba Beautiful Commission, term up for renewal, expiring January 2024.
4. Approve Resolution No. 2021-52 reappointing three members (Cynthia Weatherby, Shawn Oliver, Dario Jimenez) of the San Saba Economic Development Corporation up for renewal for terms expiring January 2024.
5. Approve Resolution No. 2021-53 reappointing one member (Mimi Bode) of the City of San Saba Parks Committee up for renewal for terms expiring December 2023.
6. Approve Resolution No. 2021-54 reappointing two members (Kevin Shahan and Gail Bruner) and appointing Joanne Weik replacing Charles Peeler of the City of San Saba Planning and Zoning Commission up for renewal terms expiring January 2025.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss and Consider Awarding Storage Tank Improvements TDA Project Contract #7220420 for Construction Services to Maguire Iron, Inc. of Sioux Falls, SD submitting the low base bid.
City Manager Edmonson reminded everyone present why the request for new bids was made. By taking out the piping, it made a huge difference in the bids. The City is now getting pricing on piping materials. With the City doing that part of the work, the project should still be within budget.
Decision: The Council voted to Award Storage Tank Improvements TDA Project Contract #7220420 for Construction Services to Maguire Iron, Inc. of Sioux Falls, SD submitting the low base bid.
2. Discuss and Consider approval of Ordinance No. 2021-11, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas, approving a Zoning Variance to the City of San Saba's zoning ordinance in regard to the Allowable Building Height from 50' to 63' Above the Finished Floor Level of the New Addition to the Existing Facility, for property located at 2803 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, a certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in San Saba County, Texas, containing 9.86 acres, more or less, out of the James Beard Survey No. 40, Abstract No. 141, and being the same property described in a deed from Dean Bagley, et ux, to Dean Bagley, Jr., dated September 22,
1982, recorded in Vol. 177, page 620, Deed Records of San Saba County, Texas.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance No. 2021-11.
3. Discuss and Consider approval of Ordinance No. 2021-12, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas, approving a Zoning Change for property located at 2803 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, a certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in San Saba County, Texas, containing 9.86 acres, more or less, out of the James Beard Survey No. 40, Abstract No. 141, and being the same property described in a deed from Dean Bagley, et ux, to Dean Bagley, Jr., dated September 22, 1982, recorded in Vol. 177, page 620, Deed Records of San Saba County, Texas, from (C-2) Local and Through Highway Business to (I-2) Heavy Industrial.
Mr. Wadsworth stated this is needed because Chase Pecan is essentially wholesale and does not have a storefront.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2021-12
4. Discuss, Consider, and Approve Resolution No. 2021-55, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas regarding a Finance Contract between the City of San Saba and Government Capital Corporation for the purpose of Procuring an “Automated Watering System.”
The City Manager noted this was approved during the budget. This vote is a formality to approve the finance contract.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-55.
5. Discuss and consider approval of Financial Audit. Kevin Shahan will be present to answer questions.
Mr. Shahan gave a thorough presentation to the City Council. He noted that the City’s controls on the funds are very effective and efficient. He said Ms. Lindsay, City Treasurer, does a very good job, and it is very appreciated and makes his job easier.
Decision: The City Council unanimously approved the Financial Audit.
6. Discuss and Consider Approving Ordinance No. 2021-13, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba Texas regarding a Zoning Change currently zoned One-Family Residential (R-2) to Commercial-Local and Through Highway Business (C-2) for property located at 265 Kelly Lane, 0.625 Acres of land out of 0. Wilcox Survey 38, Abstract 1396, part of Block 9 of the old undeveloped portion of the old Murray Addition to the Town of San Saba, for the purpose of Constructing a Restaurant requested by Rodney Norris.
The City had asked Citizen Greg Pannel to come address the Council on this issue. Mr. Pannel received a letter from the City asking if he, as a neighbor to the location in question, would sign off on the project. The Council stated that his approval was not a prerequisite for their approval, but they did want his opinion.
Mr. Pannel stated he would not sign off on this project; it was not a fit for the town and would not benefit the town in his opinion. He noted that the infrastructure was not there.
Mr. Wadsworth stated he had been trying to contact Mr. Norris about infrastructure, but Mr. Norris has not responded.
Decision: The item dies for lack of motion.
7. Discuss, Consider, and Approve Ordinance No. 2021-14, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas regarding a request by a citizen to close a portion of Seventh Street from Dry Street to Storey Street on December 18, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to host a Benefit.
The City Manager stated this ordinance is to hold a Corn Hole Tournament that will benefit a family whose house recently burned down.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to Approve Ordinance No. 2021-14.
8. Discuss and Consider rescinding Resolution No. 2020-22 a resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas Passed and Approved on the 16th day of June 2020, temporarily changing the 400 Block of East Commerce Street to a One-Way Street due to safety issues regarding construction and that such portion of the 400 Block of East Commerce Street shall return to a Two-Way Street and that any temporary signage will be removed. This motion requires a vote of each Council Member.
Decision: This resolution required a roll call vote.
Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Whitten - Aye
Alderman Marcus Amthor - Aye
Alderman Shawn Oliver - Aye
Alderman Oleta Behrens - Aye
Alderman Michael Nelson - Aye
With five Aye’s and no Nay’s, the Council approved Resolution No. 2020-22.
9. Discuss and Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2021-56, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas that the City Council of the City of San Saba, Texas supports the adoption and approval of the Texas Term Sheet in its entirety and hereby adopts the allocation method for opioid settlement proceeds as set forth in the STATE OF TEXAS AND TEXAS POLITICAL SUB-DIVISIONS TERM SHEET.
The City Manager stated this is nationwide. The Texas Attorney General has reached an agreement for this settlement; this lawsuit was because side effects were not disclosed. Our portion of the settlement would be $10,000. The monies would go to the Texas Attorney General who would keep the monies in a pool to be doled out as they are needed in the state.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-56.
City Manager’s Report:
Mr. Edmonson stated the lights display at Mill Pond has seen lots of traffic.
The City is busy keeping everything clean and picked up. He updated everyone on the cleanup on two different properties in town where a house had burned down.
He noted dumpsters and A/C units have been moved. Lowe’s put the electric back the way it was which opened up the area.
Street gaps have been patched. The golf course is prepping the ground to have water lines laid.
The City had a great Christmas party, and he gave kudos to Ms. Maultsby and Ms. Lindsay for their hard work to make it a success.
He attended Public Funds Investment Funds training, a requirement for his position.
Mr. Edmonson stated the Sip N’ Stroll went well. Two different businesses told him it was their second largest one-day sales of the year. He also noted the parade went well and was very well attended. He said he is proud of the staff. There were several floats, and he was very proud of all that was handled with it.
Mayor Pro-Tem Whitten adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m.