The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 10th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Alderman Shawn Oliver 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; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; Michael Nelson, Alderman; and Oleta Behrens, Alderman. Others present at this meeting were: Scott Edmonson, City Manager; Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; John Bauer, San Saba Police Chief; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; Linda Hardy, Election Judge; Steven Newkirk, Officer of San Saba Police Department; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.
Linda Hardy, Elections Judge, presented the Canvas of returns of the May 7, 2022 City Council Election and Issued Certificate of Election to the winning Candidates. Kim Wells, San Saba County/District Clerk, was present to administer the oath of office to Ken Jordan for Mayor, to Robert Whitten for Alderman, and to Oleta Behrens for Alderman.
The Council voted unanimously to elect Robert Whitten as Mayor Pro-Tem.
Public Comments:
None. Ceremonial Presentations:
1. Employee of the Month award for May, 2022:
“Employee of the Month” Award for May 2022: Steven Newkirk, San Saba Police Officer, received recognition as May’s Employee of the Month. His supervisor, Police Chief John Bauer, stated Officer Newkirk has been with the Department since about October of last year. He had retired from 22 years in Lewisville Police Department and came highly recommended from the DA’s office. He has several fields of expertise. He has been a true help to Chief Bauer on a lot of issues and in investigations and reports. Steven has a perfect attendance record. He understands getting to know everyone, interacting with them and treating them with respect. Steven’s name was engraved on a dedicated “Employee of the Month” plaque. In addition, he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
2. Proclamation Recognizing May 15th through May 22nd as San Saba Police Week:
Mayor Jordan read the proclamation, and Chief Bauer and Officer Steven Newkirk received it on behalf of the San Saba Police Department.
Consent Agenda Items:
1. Minutes from the April 12th, 2022 Council Meeting.
2. Payment of bills presented to City Council.
3. Approve Resolution No. 2022-10 a Resolution to waive an ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 28, 2022 at Mill Pond Gazebo for Rosario Jimenez.
4. Approve Resolution No. 2022-11 a Resolution to waive an ordinance defining noise nuisances for June 04, 2022 at Mill Pond Gazebo for Elsa Ramos.
5. Approve Resolution No. 2022-12 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 14th, 2022 at Risien Park Pavilion for Rebecca
Ochua.
6. Approve Resolution No. 2022-13 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 28th and May 29th, 2022 at Risien Park Pavilion for Charles Sutton.
7. Approve Resolution No. 2022-14 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 21st, 2022 at Risien Park West Slab for Esther Martinez.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss and take possible action on awarding a contract for application and administration services for the 2022 TXCDBG - Downtown Revitalization/Mainstreet Grant Program (DRP/MS).
Mr. Edmonson explained this vote is part of the requirements for grant application. He also noted that 51% of the grant has to be used for sidewalks.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to award this contract for administrative services to Public Management Company.
2. Discuss and take possible action on awarding a contract for engineering services for the 2022 TXCDBG Downtown Revitalization/Main Street Grant Program (DRP/MS).
Mr. Edmonson stated this is part of the same process as item #1 but for engineering services.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to award this contract for engineering services to Jacob Martin Company.
3. Consider and approve Budget Calendar for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve the Budget Calendar for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.
4. Discuss, consider and approve Ordinance No. 2022-01, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas, Amending Ordinance No. 2021-05 and setting fees for various City services and consolidating those fees for convenience; amending various City Ordinances; and Containing a Severability Clause and an Effective Date.
Mr. Edmonson stated this is to get our fees up to date - making sure everyone is on the same page with the fee amounts and information. He also noted that because of the winter storm last year, there is now a small permit fee for installing a generator to make sure it is wired properly. This is for the safety of the City employees working on the lines.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance No. 2022-01.
City Manager’s Report:
City Manager Edmonson updated the Council on the following:
The water tank project is almost complete, and the tank should have water in it tomorrow morning. There were no problems with just one pump during the project which took almost two months.
The City will go out for new bids for the Splash Pad. There must be a plan in place by the end of August. The City has reached out to the Parks Director in Brownwood to get information and to make sure we have all the information and have no surprises. Research is still being done.
ARP Funds update: working on the streets and replacing water lines.
Plans are underway for the time surrounding the eclipse in April of 2024 which could give a boost to our local economy because of many, many visitors to the area. Hill Country Alliance will come speak. We could have many visitors for several days, not just one day, and they could even be from far away, even other countries.
GIS System (water system) is being worked out with engineers, mistakes are being fixed.
Parks Department has two new mowers.
Water/Wastewater Department has a new pickup.
City employees helped the Chamber of Commerce put up the new sign at the Court House.
Mr. Spiller’s Aide contacted TxDOT about the railroad issue but with no results. She will now contact Congressman Pfulger.
Mr. Edmonson will attend a Small City Conference Thursday and Friday of this week in Fredericksburg.
Mr. Glaze noted it is dry, dry, dry here. He reported they are reading meters. The Golf Course put sand on the greens.
Mr. Wadsworth updated the Council on cleanup around town with burned houses and such. A few citations have had to be issued when the work slowed down.
Ms. Maultsby addressed the Council and said the employees appreciate the Council and all they do for the City employees and for the citizens.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.