The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 11th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Alderman Marcus Amthor 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; Robert Whitten, Mayor Pro-Tem; Oleta Behrens, Alderman; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; and Michael Nelson, Alderman. Others present at this meeting were: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; Scott Edmonson, City Manager; Jesse Gonzalez, Golf Course Employee; Michael Whitley, Golf Course Supervisor; and Djuana Payton, San Saba News & Star.
Judge Blossman Installed the Newly Elected Officials and Administered the Oath of Office to the Winning Candidates: Marcus Amthor, Shawn Oliver, and Michael Nelson.
Alderman Robert Whitten was unanimously elected Mayor Pro-Tem.
Public Comments:
None.
Ceremonial Presentations/Presentations:
1. Employee of the Month award for May, 2021
“Employee of the Month” Award for May 2021: Jesse Gonzalez - Golf Course Employee. Jesse’s supervisor, Michael Whitley, stated that Jesse does what needs to be done no matter how long it takes; Michael said he is really proud to have Jesse on his team. Mayor Jordan also said our golf course is the talk of lots of other towns around here, and the work at the golf course has not gone unnoticed. Jesse’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 April 13, 2021 Council Meeting.
2. Payment of bills presented to City Council.
3. Approve Resolution No. 2021-12 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 15th and May 30, 2021 at Risien Park Pavilion.
4. Approve Resolution No. 2021-13 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 15, 2021 at Mill Pond Park Gazebo.
5. Approve Resolution No. 2021-14 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for May 29, 2021 at Mill Pond Park Gazebo.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss and consider approving a Public Utility Easement to the City of San Saba from the following Grantors: a) G2K Development Partners, LLC; and b) George M. Amthor, Ill and Kathy Ann Amthor McEwin, for the purpose of installing electrical utility lines for the availability of utility services to G2K Development Partners, LLC/Family Dollar Tree in the Murray Addition, Block 15 as depicted and/or described in Exhibit "A".
Decision: With the exception of Alderman Amthor who abstained, the Council unanimously approved the above mentioned Public Utility Easement.
2. Consider and approve the Budget Calendar for the 2021- 2022 Fiscal Year.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved the Budget Calendar for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year.
3. Discuss, Consider, and Review the minimum square footage requirements regarding 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 June City Council Meeting.
There was a lengthy discussion on the minimum square footage requirements regarding Ordinance No. 2021-04. The item will be brought back for a vote at the next meeting.
4. Discuss and Consider approval of Ordinance No. 2021-05 amending Ordinance No. 2020- 14 Specifically “Exhibit All Fee Schedule Associated with Sanitation Service Fees.”
Mr. Glaze told the council this item has to do with the new scales that were installed at the transfer station. The workers have been working with the new scales and found that the cost per weight will be pretty close to the current fee - cost per volume. This scale will make the charge more accurate and consistent. The Council needs to vote to have the fees officially change over from volume to weight.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2021-05 amending Ordinance No. 2020-14 Specifically “Exhibit All Fee Schedule Associated with Sanitation Service Fees.”
5. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution No. 2021-15 amending the Investment Policy for the City of San Saba and listing changes to the Policy.
Ms. Lindsay informed the Council this vote is just a formality that has to be voted on from time to time.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-15.
6. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution No. 2021-16, a Resolution Revising the Solid Waste Processing Facility-Site Plan and listing changes.
Mr. Glaze explained to the Council the need for this revision. The last TCA inspection showed no problems and no violations. However, they did discover that the SOP for the transfer station states they do not accept tires, when in fact, they do. Therefore, the SOP needs to be updated. No changes will be made at the transfer station regarding tires.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-16.
7. Discuss and Consider approval of CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT by and between the City of San Saba, Texas, a Texas Municipal Corporation ("City") and Frederick "Scott" Edmonson ("Manager").
Ms. Maultsby noted that Mr. Edmonson’s name has been corrected from Edmondson to Edmonson on the contract he will be signing.
Mayor Jordan explained that the offer of the City Manager position had been made to Scott Edmonson after the last meeting during the Executive Session, and he accepted it.
Mr. Edmonson officially starts Monday morning, May 17th.
Decision: The Council unanimously approved the CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT by and between the City of San Saba, Texas, a Texas Municipal Corporation ("City") and Frederick "Scott" Edmonson ("Manager").
City Manager's Report
Mr. Glaze updated the Council on the following:
• The golf course is flourishing. The play is up quite a bit, and they have had several big groups.
• There have been a lot of good comments on the Nature Park. There have been rumors on social media of creating a disc golf course at the Nature Park, but that is just a rumor.
• Water leaks are down to a minimum.
• There is lots of trash coming in. The transfer station had to shut down one day due to several days of heavy rain; however, they did still take recycling items. The ramp at the top is in the process of being improved, and it will be more flat.
Mr. Glaze noted there was a three-hour meeting with an engineering firm about the streets discussing what streets would be the best candidates to redo and how to pay for it.
There is some relief fund grant money coming, and there was discussion on how best to use it. In regards to the streets, different methods would be used for different streets possibly depending on how traveled the road is.
Hopefully, there may also be some infrastructure money coming our way just for streets. Mr. Glaze stated the number one priority of the entire community is streets, and he wants everyone to know it weighs heavily on the City’s mind, too.
The Mayor stated that getting the money to finish the water lines will greatly help. Mr. Glaze noted that if you redo a whole street and then have a bad water line, you will be digging the street back up. It is better to take care of all the subsurface issues first. He stated the gas company digs all the time, too, and can also have bad lines. He did say the gas company does a really good job when they have to dig up a street and fix it. They will come back and redo it if it is not right.
Mr. Whitley updated the Council on the following:
• First Baptist Church should be complete in June.
• Family Dollar Tree set a date of July 12th.
• Lowe’s is still promising to be finished by the end of July. However, the rains have given them a few setbacks.
• GIS Mapping system will be reviewed in June. This is a computer program to be used on all the utilities as well as zoning. This will be very helpful.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.