City Council holds regular meeting Tuesday, April 13th

The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 13th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Alderman Michael Nelson gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.

The following Council members were in attendance: Kenneth Jordan, Mayor; Oleta Behrens, Alderman; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; and Michael Nelson, Alderman. Among others present at this meeting included: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; John Whitley, Street Department Employee; Luis Rios, Street Department Supervisor; Sarah Saldivar, EDC/KSSB; Gail Bruner, citizen; Kathleen Hawkins, KSSB Chairman; Candyce Speidel, District Representative for State Senator Dawn Buckingham; Joann Weik and other family members of Stan Weik; and Djuana Payton, San Saba News & Star. Robert Whitten, Mayor Pro-Tem, was not present at this meeting.

Public Comments:

None.

Ceremonial Presentations/Presentations:

1. Legislative Proclamation presented by Candyce Speidel, District Representative for State Senator Dawn Buckingham.

Mayor Jordan introduced Candyce Speidel from Senator Dawn Buckinham’s office. He stated she has been an outstanding representative for our district and has been very involved in calling us and checking in on us. He also encouraged everyone to join Senator Buckinham's social media pages and stated she and her office are doing a great job and keeping us well informed.

Ms. Speidel addressed the Council and commended San Saba on our resiliency as we rebuilt the grocery store, handled fires as well as the snow storm. She stated San Saba is a great example of Texas and a blessed community with great leadership. She noted the Mayor and Aldermen are great to work with.

Ms. Speidel stated Stan Weik is a great City Manager. She noted the best way to describe him is to go to the Bible and the gifts of the Holy Spirit: patience, kindness, wisdom, and faithfulness to do things even when no one is looking. She stated, “The communities around here, when they have a question on how to do things, they say, ‘Call Stan, he knows’.”

Ms. Speidel said that Stan's family is following in his footsteps as he and his wife have been what stewardship and leadership look like in a community.

Ms. Speidel stated the Senator was unable to be present at this meeting or otherwise would be here making this presentation - “a certificate of appreciation for your service and your profound professional leadership in this community.” She said a City Manager helps corral many other teams as it is pulling the wagon and described Mr. Weik as the coordinator of the chaos. She noted that Senator Buckingham will be contacting him personally.

2. The City of San Saba to Present Gail Bruner with an Outstanding Dedication Service Award.

Mayor Jordan stated Ms. Bruner has been living in San Saba for 20 years. She has served in leadership positions for many years with the Pierian Club, Garden Club, Planning and Zoning Committee, and Keep San Saba Beautiful. She is very active in the First Baptist Church of San Saba and is a part-time employee of the Visitor’s Center. Mayor Jordan stated she has been a wonderful asset to our community.

Ms. Bruner thanked the Mayor and the City Council. She told everyone how much she loves living in San Saba and how much joy she gets working at the Visitor’s Center telling visitors about our wonderful town and its history.

3. Employee of the Month award for April, 2021

“Employee of the Month” Award for April 2021: John

Whitney - Street Department. His supervisor, Luis Rios, described John Whitney as very impressive. John’s name was engraved on a dedicated “Employee of the Month” plaque. In addition, he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

Consent Agenda Items:

1. Minutes from the March 9th, 2021 Council Meeting

2. Payment of bills presented to City Council.

3. Approve Proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 14th "Go Blue Day" to support Child Abuse Prevention. Approve Resolution No. 2021-10, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas Approving the Resignation of keep San Saba Beautiful Commission Member Gail Bruner and appointing one (1) member (Marcie Butler) to the Keep San Saba Beautiful Commission, term expiring January 2023.

Decision: The Council unanimously approved all of the above items.

Discussion/Action Item:

1. Discuss, Consider, and Review Ordinance No. 2021-04 an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas, Amending Chapter 14, Zoning Code, Article II, Section 2.1, Definitions; Article V, Sections 5.1 and 5.2; "A-1" Agricultural Residence District; Article VI, One Family Residential District, Section 6.2, Permitted Uses; Article VII, One Family Residential District, Section 7.2 Permitted Uses; and Article X, Section 10.3 "MH” Manufactured/Mobile Home Residence District of the San Saba Code of Ordinances by Adding Definitions, Allowed Uses in Districts; Providing for a Repealer; Providing for Severability; Providing an Open Meetings Clause and Establishing an Effective Date, to move forward for Publishing, Public Hearing, and Approval at the May City Council Meeting.

Decision: After some discussion, the Council voted to approve sending this item, with exceptions to the square feet and price, to the attorney to write an ordinance and return it to the Council.

2. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution No. 2021-11 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Saba regarding the purchase of an Asphalt Distributor for the Street Department.

Scott Glaze explained that the current Asphalt Distributor is 37 years old and really needs to be replaced. It is getting extremely difficult to find replacement parts. He explained that he and Luis Rios have spent many hours researching and looking for a replacement including the possibility of renting one. A used one that would work for us was not to be found. They have chosen a Stratos Brand trailer-pulled unit for $27,585. Mr. Glaze told the Council that his department sold a piece of equipment, a zipper, for $15,000 and could cut down on some of the chip sealing to be done this year in order to make up that the difference for the cost of the Asphalt Distributor.

Decision: After discussion, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2021-11 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Saba regarding the purchase of an Asphalt Distributor for the Street Department.

City Manager’s Report

Stan Weik noted that the City missed the recent hail storm that seemed to hit just north and just south of us.

He stated there has been a lot of traffic in town around 16 and 190 which is a sign of what is going on here in town. Visitors are coming to the Visitor’s Center and asking lots of questions about our town. Gail Bruner and the others at the Visitor’s Center are able to share with them the fantastic stories of what we’ve done as a town.

Mr. Weik complimented the City of San Saba as being one of the first cities to issue a boil water notice and one of the first cities to rescind that boil notice during the winter storm. He said there was wonderful teamwork during the event.

Mr. Weik said KSSB is really doing an outstanding job and noted some prestigious awards they have been given recently.

Spring Trash Clean-Up went well; many people showed up. A Boy Scouts club from Killeen also joined in as a service project to help us.

EDC has supported Pecan Capital Trade Days, and donations were given to the Chamber to support the Fourth of July fireworks display. Michael Wadsworth also noted there was a $5,000 donation given by an individual for that fireworks display.

Scott Glaze and Michael Wadsworth gave a few updates to the Council:

There was one big water leak.

KSSB had a great LCRA workday; they planted grass at Mill Pond Park.

The Spring Trash Clean-Up went well.

Family Dollar General broke ground.

Lowe’s is hoping to open in July.

Chase Pecan is planning a 55,000 sq. ft. expansion.

City Manager Stan Weik had some family members present for the legislative proclamation. They spoke of how very proud they are of him. They also said how each time they come to town, he is very excited to show them all the new things going on here in San Saba since they were here last.

Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m.