Citizens attend City Council meeting, make opinions known

  • Citizen David Sutton took the opportunity afforded during “Audience for Concerned Citizens” to address the City Council in last week’s meeting on the need for a cross walk near the dollar stores on SH 16 in light of the recent incident where a truck ran off the road.
    Citizen David Sutton took the opportunity afforded during “Audience for Concerned Citizens” to address the City Council in last week’s meeting on the need for a cross walk near the dollar stores on SH 16 in light of the recent incident where a truck ran off the road.
  • Citizens Robby and Angela Johnson addressed the Council as part of the Public Hearing in reference to one of their properties. The two proposals discussed were recently passed by the Planning and Zoning Commission by a vote of 4-1.
    Citizens Robby and Angela Johnson addressed the Council as part of the Public Hearing in reference to one of their properties. The two proposals discussed were recently passed by the Planning and Zoning Commission by a vote of 4-1.
  • Sanitation Department employee Jose Rocha is proudly holding the Employee of the Month plaque with his name engraved on it. He was also given a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Taking part in the award presentation were Jose's supervisor, Juan Montoya on his right, and Mayor Ken Jordan on his left. Way to go, Jose!
    Sanitation Department employee Jose Rocha is proudly holding the Employee of the Month plaque with his name engraved on it. He was also given a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Taking part in the award presentation were Jose's supervisor, Juan Montoya on his right, and Mayor Ken Jordan on his left. Way to go, Jose!

    The San Saba City Council met last week, and three citizens signed up to speak and make their opinions known.

    Citizen David Sutton addressed the Council and asked if the City would consider putting in a crosswalk on South High Street near the Post Office and Dollar Stores area. He reminded them of the recent “Traffic Crash with Injuries” which happened there on May 31st.

    Mr. Sutton noted that a lot of people cross in that area, including a lot of children, and a crosswalk would help to slow down traffic.

    Mayor Ken Jordan thanked Mr. Sutton for his recommendation and said they would take it under consideration. He also noted they would probably need to get with TxDOT on it as well.

    Citizens Robby and Angela Johnson also addressed the Council. They gave a presentation during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting and voiced their reason for approaching the Planning and Zoning Commission in regards to a Short-Term Rental they are trying to establish at 601 E. Dry Street. They explained everything they had done to address all the questions and rules of the governing authorities.

    There was considerable discussion back and forth on many items related to the topic.

    The items brought before the City Council in this meeting were 1.) a variance on Minimum Square Footage of not less than 1,100 square feet for the property, and 2.) a variance to C1 Zoning Central Business District to operate a Short-Term Rental for the property.

    On both items, there was a motion made to approve the variances, but there was no second. Both motions died for lack of a second.

    Jose Rocha of the Sanitation Department was awarded the Employee of the Month Award for July of 2024. His supervisor, Juan Montoya, reported that Jose has been working with the City for about 12 years, and seven of those have been for the Sanitation Department. Jose was described as doing a really good job picking up the cans - no matter the weather: raining, cold, hot. Even when the trucks break down, he helps fix them up and get the route going again.

    The Council approved the following Consent Agenda Items:

    • Minutes from June 10th meeting

    • Payment of bills

    • Resolution No. 2024-18, waiving the noise ordinance on July 27, 2024, at Risien Park Pavilion for Connie Gomez.

    • Resolution No. 2024-19, waving the noise ordinance on August 10, 2024, at Risien Park Pavilion for Tammy Garcia.

    • Resolution No. 2024-20, authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with TxDOT for the closure of Wallace Street for the Rodeo Parade scheduled for August 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

    The Council approved a Cyber Liability and data Breach Response Interlocal Agreement by and between the City of San Saba and Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool.

    City Manager Scott Edmonson explained to the Council this is something that must be done or the insurance company could cancel our insurance. With this Interlocal Agreement in place, the City would be covered if there was a cyber attack.

    City Manager’s Report

    City Manager Scott Edmonson updated the Council on the following:

    • Work is being done on interdepartmental budget workshops.

    • The Downtown revitalization project had a pre-construction meeting on Monday morning. Demo and construction may be able to start around the first part of August.

    • The Parks employees have been staying busy.

    • At the Commissioners' Court meeting earlier in the day, Hamilton EMS gave a presentation and request for an amended contract with them due to the number of calls in our area. (The area also includes Mills County.) City Manager Edmonson attended and heard the presentation; he will get the numbers together on how it will affect the City.

    • Golf Course is looking great.

    • Work at Chase Pecan is continuing.

    • Fireworks at Mill Pond were described as the best fireworks we’ve had in a long time. The Fireworks in Goldthwaite lasted seven minutes, and ours lasted 23 minutes. Many, many people came to see the show.

    The Water Department guys have had quite a few water leaks with the hot/dry weather and the ground shifting. They are taking care of them.

    There were several citizens who attended the City Council meeting this month. These meetings are open to the public. You don’t have to address the Council to attend; you can just go listen.

    If you do want to address the City Council, be sure to sign up on the sign-up sheet when you arrive.