The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 8th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Mayor Pro-Tem Whitten 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 City Manager Scott Edmonson. Others present at this meeting were: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; Morgan Verette, Public
Management, Inc.; Lucas Watson, Water/Wastewater Department Employee; Jesse Hunt, Water/Wastewater Supervisor; John Bauer, Police Chief; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.
Public Comments: None. Ceremonial Presentations/ Presentations:
1. Employee of the Month award for March, 2022.
Lucas Watson, Water/Wastewater Department Employee, received recognition as March’s Employee of the Month. His supervisor, Jesse Hunt, stated Lucas is a great team player. He learned the job, and now he is training others. Lucas’ name was engraved on a dedicated “Employee of the Month” plaque. In addition, he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
2. Supervisor of the First Quarter, 2022:
Police Chief John Bauer received recognition as the Supervisor of the Quarter for the First Quarter of 2022. City Manager Edmonson stated he appreciates the job John does. John is well respected by his peers and the City Employees. John’s name was engraved on a dedicated “Supervisor of the Quarter” plaque. In addition, he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Consent Agenda Items:
1. Minutes from the February 14th, 2022 Council Meeting.
2. Payment of bills presented to City Council.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss/Consider and approve Engineering Agreement by and between the City of San Saba and Jacob & Martin, LLC regarding the construction of the water line replacement improvements under the general direction of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), authorizing Kenneth G. Jordan as acting agent for the City of San Saba and Ken Martin, President as agent for Jacob & Martin, LLC.
City Manager Edmonson stated this is for the engineering contract for services on the water line project.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Engineering Agreement by and between the City of San Saba and Jacob & Martin, LLC on the water line project.
2. Discuss/Consider and approve Resolution No. 2022-04 a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas Authorizing the
Approval of the San Saba Recovery Plan Associated with the Implementation of the City of San Saba American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) Allocation.
Morgan Verette from Public Management, Inc. addressed the Court on the plan of how best to spend the monies from the ARPA and CLFRF. She noted that even though the City has time to wait to get bids, it might be beneficial to do so sooner than later because of how the economy is at present and the prices on everything keep increasing.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-04.
3. Discuss/Consider and approve by the City Council of the City of San Saba the Notice to Proceed on the Environmental Review/Design Work for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Ms. Verette stated this gives permission to proceed with the environmental work that needs to be done.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve the Notice to Proceed on the environmental Review/Design Work for the ARPA.
4. Discuss/Consider and approve Resolution No. 2022-05 Appointing election officials for the May 7th, 2022 election.
Mr. Edmonson read the election officials names: Linda Hardy as election judge; Hermina Rojas as an alternate judge and clerk.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-05 Appointing election officials for the May 7th, 2022 election.
5. Discuss/Consider and approve Memorandum of Understanding between the Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) and the City of San Saba for the Plastic Bottle Recycling (PBR) Project.
Mr. Edmonson stated that Ms. Rachel Herring of Keep Texas Beautiful is pushing recycling bottles. Coke is offering grant monies for us to promote the recycling campaign. They will make the signs and cover the cost.
Decision: The City voted unanimously to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) and the City of San Saba for the Plastic Bottle Recycling (PBR) Project to promote it.
6. Discuss, Consider, and Approve Resolution No. 2022-06, 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 "Mowers" for the Parks Department.
Mr. Edmonson stated this was approved during the budget.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-06.
City Manager's Report:
City Manager Edmonson updated the Council on the following:
- Tank project is going well. Mr. Hunt stated the temporary system is working really well and is keeping up the pressure.
- Mr. Edmonson called Representative David Spiller hoping to get some assistance on the problems with the railroad. His Chief of Staff will reach out to TxDOT on our behalf to see what can be done.
- The City is still working on the street plan. A map was brought to the meeting for the Council to view.
- The City Radio Program has been restarted. It airs on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
- $110,000 grant for sidewalks. Mr. Edmonson spoke to TxDOT about specifics.
- Issue of trucks having a hard time turning on 16 because cars are parked too close to the intersection. The Council discussed the possibility of an ordinance about that.
- Low crossing on 190 at railroad - may need more signage. Alderman Nelson stated many, many trucks are having to turn around because they cannot make it under the bridge.
- Equipment in disrepair. Mr. Glaze noted there is a lot of City equipment that is no longer being used that needs to be repurposed or possibly auctioned off.
- Fuel costs are going up, and that will show up at budget time. Mr. Glaze noted that with the price of oil going up, that may put a dent in the number of streets the City can coat or pave. He said the budget may need to be adjusted.
- LCRA water project in the park is proceeding.
- Golf Course is cleaning out the sheds.
Michael Wadsworth updated on cleanup around town. There are many old vehicles, and some of the owners have been taken to court. The Police Chief has helped with that because he is able to write felonies on them. Judge Blossman has also been a great help on this. There was a backlog of problems with old cars because of COVID. People are finally starting to comply.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.