David Valencia was named Employee of the Month for March 2025 at the March 11th City Council meeting. He works in the Water/Wastewater Department. His supervisor, Jesse Hunt, stated David has already made an impact in the department even though he has not been there very long. He takes on anything he can and is a dedicated and very hard worker.
Chief Steven Newkirk was awarded the Supervisor of the Quarter for the first quarter for 2025. City Manager Scott Edmonson noted that Chief Newkirk has done an amazing job since taking over and is getting everyone certified on new certification requirements. His peers nominated him for this which is an honor, and they appreciate what he does.
Chief Newkirk said he is extremely proud of his guys as they have really stepped up over the last three months even coming in evenings on days off for training trying to get everything where it should be with certifications.
Everyone is CPR certified. He also explained that the state is mandating that all police officers attend Alert Level One, Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training. This is for the protection of schools so we don’t have another Uvalde. As of last Friday, March 14th, the entire police department was certified. Everyone congratulated Chief Newkirk and the department for their hard work and dedication.
The following Consent Agenda Items were approved: Meeting Minutes from the February 11, 2025, payment of bills, Proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 9th as “Go Blue Day’to support Child Abuse Prevention, Resolution No. 2025-06 waiving noise ordinance for March 29th at Risien Park Pavilion for Jose Paez, and Resolution 2025-07 waiving noise ordinance for April 4th and 5th at Risien Park for the Pecan Bottom Festival.
The following Discussion/ Action Items were approved:
• Resolution No. 2025-08 appointing Election Officials for the May 3, 2025 election. City Manager Scott Edmonson stated this is for a joint election in agreement with the school, and this will cancel the City’s election.
• Resolution No. 2025-09 cancelling the City Council Election and accepting the Certification of Unopposed Candidates for the May 3, 2025, election declaring the unopposed candidates elected to office. (Issuance of the Certificate of Election to re-elect City Council Aldermen: Shawn Oliver, Marcus Amthor, and Michael Nelson will be presented at the May meeting.)
• Budget Calendar for the 2025-2026 Fiscal year.
• Ordinance No. 2025-02 approving a Zoning Variance requested by Maria Guerrero to construct a new carport at 1914 W. Brown Street in San Saba.
(This was approved 4-0 by the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 27, 2025.)
• Ordinance No. 2025-03 to close, abandon, and vacate a portion of South Water Street in San Saba, directing the sale of the vacated portion of Water Street, making findings of fact, providing for an effective date and open meeting clause and providing for related matters. This pertains to Deryl Hoyt and D&H Properties.
• Resolution 2025-10 amending the Investment Policy of the City of San Saba and listing changes to the Policy. City Manager Edmonson explained it is an annual requirement of the Investment Funds InvestmentAct to review this policy. The changes were reviewed.
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Scott Edmonson updated the Council on the following:
• Police Department had to 'go to school' for new certifications and have done so. Other departments have also had to keep up their licences. The hard work they have done is very appreciated.
• Mill Pond Park has many changes going on. Buddy Whitley has plans for flower beds being added to the entrance area. Please go by and see it if you have not. It looks awesome.
• Sidewalk project - punch list is complete. Had ADA inspection a few weeks ago, and we corrected a few things that were listed on the inspection. Now getting the paperwork done. Now looking at getting some landscaping done in the area.
• City-Wide Clean up is coming up on March 29th.
• Chamber’s Pecan Bottom Festival is on April 5th.
• First golf tournament is on April 12th and 13th, the Four Man Scramble.
• LCRA Step Forward Program on April 11th. They are going to help us with the playground at Mill Pond Park, cleaning out the foam material and put in fresh as well as doing some painting at the park.
• We had lots of limbs down in town from the wind last week, but overall no major damage. However, it was reported that someone had a tree fall on their car.
• Preparations are starting for Catkins Ball.
• April 9th is Go Blue Day, with a Childhood Prevention Awareness event in Mill Pond Park by the Gazebo.
• Public Works Director reported the departments are pitching in to get the limbs picked up around town and getting ready for more strong winds coming. Mr. Edmonson stated we lost one huge tree at the golf course that was already dead.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting.