The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 10th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. He then gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.
The following Council members were in attendance: Mayor Ken Jordan; Robert Whitten, Mayor Pro-Tem; Oleta Behrens, Alderman; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; Michael Nelson, Alderman; and Scott Edmonson, City Manager. Others present at this meeting were: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; John Bauer, San Saba Police Chief; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star. Public Comments:
None.
Ceremonial Presentations:
None
Consent Agenda Items:
1. Minutes from the October 12, 2021 Council Meeting.
2. Payment of bills presented to the City Council.
3. Approve Resolution No. 2022-01 designating the San Saba News and Star as the official town newspaper.
4. Acceptance of 2021 Racial Profiling Report.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution No. 2022-02 requesting to apply for a JAG Grant for a vehicle and equipment purchase through the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division.
Ms. Maultsby reported this grant is through the Criminal Justice Division and has been applied for before. This particular grant request would be for a new (additional) vehicle and body cameras. The grant application is due in February. The grant would be awarded sometime around May or June, and the grant monies would be received around September.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-02 requesting to apply for a JAG Grant for a vehicle and equipment purchase through the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division.
City Manager's Report:
City Manager Edmonson gave the following updates:
• The guys in the Street Department have documented all the streets and listed when each of them were last chip sealed.
• The tank project has been given the okay, and workers were here this week. The piping parts are being ordered.
• There was an electrical issue around the gymnasium area. A squirrel got into the line and chewed it in two, and the guys had to rerun lines. The light at the school was out, but it was back up and running by around 5:00 p.m.
• The Christmas decorations are being taken down.
• There are questions about junk vehicles around town. Michael Wadsworth had provided a report for the Council listing the vehicles and the procedure he goes through to get them taken care of. Each car he tags takes several hours to process with paperwork and follow up.
• The splash pad project has been slowed down. Part of the problem may be COVID-related, and part of the slow down may be due to the company we're using. There is a possibility of getting three other bids to see about getting it going. The grant for this project is in place, and everything is ready to go.
• Alderman Amthor stated he has been asked by citizens about the house by the cemetery that burned down. City Manager Edmonson stated the house is in probate. It seems there are three owners. Until that is cleared up, there is nothing the City can do. The City Manager stated there has been some cleanup taking place. He also stated his office has been in contact with the family several times. He said he will check up on the matter.
• Alderman Amthor asked about the status of the railroad. City Manager Edmonson stated there have been issues getting things done, such as clean up, with the current railroad owners. He stated that railroads now fall under TxDOT, and he is considering contacting TxDOT to see if they can get the owners to clean it up.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m.