City Council holds regular meeting Tuesday, November 10th

The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 10th, in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Ken Jordan called the Council to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone. Mayor Pro-Tem Robert 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: Kenneth Jordan, Mayor; Oleta Behrens, Alderman; Robert Whitten, Mayor Pro-Tem; Marcus Amthor, Alderman; Shawn Oliver, Alderman; Michael Nelson, Alderman; and Stan Weik, City Manager.

Others present at this meeting included: Sabrina Maultsby, City Secretary; Charlene Lindsay, Finance Director; Scott Glaze, Public Works Director; Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer; Denver Daniel, Electric Department Supervisor; Jacob Uptain, Electric Department; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator; Albert Stowell, Petitioner; Kay Stowell, Petitioner; Jimmy Shook, Attorney; Dr. Craig Whiting, Baylor Scott & White; Tim Ols, Baylor Scott & White; Lisa Theodosis, FNP, Baylor Scott & White; Judge Byron Theodosis, San Saba County; Eric Reyes, Business Owner; Renee McBee, Business Owner; Rod Hodges, Citizen; and Djuana Payton, Reporter - San Saba News & Star.

Open Public Hearing

Mayor Ken Jordan opened the Public Hearing.

The City of San Saba will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on November 10, 2020, at City Hall, 303 S. Clear Street, San Saba, Texas, to receive comments from the Public regarding the following:

1. Albert Stowell is requesting that the Planning & Zoning Commission and the San Saba City Council approve a Variance to the Zoning Ordinance in regard to the City of San Saba's Code of Ordinance Minimum Parking Requirements, Article XVII, Section 17.3 (1), for property located at 200 East Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, Legal Description, BEING the North one-half (1/2) of Block 24 of the Old Town Addition to the City of San Saba, the same being known P. Lot 1 of Block 24 according to the Plat and Designation of said Addition recorded in Volume 55, Page 629 of the San Saba County Deed Records. Said tract is the same land described in a deed from William Pat Murray, et ux to Heart 01 Texas Savings Association as recorded in Volume 162, Page 408 of said county deed records. Survey was made for AmWest Savings Association and Senterfitt, Childress and Shook Law Office. Albert Stowell is requesting a Variance that would allow for three (3) oversized handicap spaces and seven (7) regular sized parking spaces for a total of ten (10) spaces for the new proposed use of Baylor Scott and White Doctor Offices, zoned Local and Through Highway Business District (C-2). The Planning and Zoning Commission met in Open Session on November 4, 2020 and voted with a 5 to 0 Vote in favor of approving this Zoning Variance. The City encourages citizens to make their views known at this public hearing.

Dr. Craig Whiting spoke in favor of the variance. He stated this is a great opportunity for Baylor Scott & White which represents the community well. He said his current parking lot usually has four and sometimes five cars in their parking lot. He believes these spaces in this building will be sufficient.

The Mayor commended Dr. Whiting in what he has done to help in meeting regularly with the City, the Judge, the schools and numerous other entities during the COVID-19 epidemic and his work in the nursing home.

Jimmy Shook spoke in favor of the variance. He said it was an opportunity to have an updated clinic, and Dr. Whiting and his staff are excited about it. The new parking would be sufficient for the needs of the clinic, and he added his voice to the request for approval.

Tim Ols thanked the City for all they had done in the current clinic location and said they had been very responsive to issues. He also requested that the Council approve the variance.

Albert Stowell spoke in favor of the variance. He stated he appreciated the work of the City and the Planning and Zoning Commission had done. He reported additional parking spaces were also being offered by businesses and a church in town.

Mayor Jordan closed the Public Hearing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS:

1. Employee of the Month award for November, 2020.

“Employee of the Month” Award for November 2020: Jacob Uptain, Electrical Department, received recognition as November’s Employee of the Month. His supervisor, Denver Daniel, stated Jacob has been with the department just over a year now, and stated his foreman has reported how pleased he is with Jacob’s progress. Jacob has handled everything really well. He is always at work and has been a real asset to the City. Mr. Daniel also told the Council that Jacob is a veteran. Jacob’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 October 13th, 2020 Council Meeting;

2. Payment of bills presented to City Council;

3. Approve Resolution No. 2020-38 a Resolution waiving Ordinance defining noise nuisances for November 28th, 2020 at Mill Pond Park Gazebo; and

4. Approve Resolution No. 2020-39, a Resolution accepting the resignation of Keep San Saba Beautiful Commission Member, Leigh Ann Glaze and appointing Sandra Vaughn to the Keep San Saba Beautiful Commission for the remainder of a two year term, with term expiring January, 2021.

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

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:

1. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution No. 2020-40 approving the budget amendments for FY 2019-2020.

Decision: The Council unanimously approved the Resolution No. 2020-40 approving the budget amendments for FY 2019-2020.

2. Discuss and Consider approving Ordinance No. 2020-16, an Ordinance regarding a Zoning Variance to the City of San Saba’s zoning ordinance in regard to the City of San Saba’s Code of Ordinance Minimum Parking Requirements, Article XVII, Section 17.3 (f), for property located at 200 East Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, Legal Description, BEING the North one-half (1/2) of Block 24 of the Old Town Addition to the City of San Saba, the same being known P. Lot 1 of Block 24 according to the Plat and Designation of said Addition recorded in Volume 55, Page 629 of the San Saba County Deed Records, Said tract is the same land described in a deed from William Pat Murray, et ux to Heart of Texas Savings Association as recorded in Volume 162, Page 408 of said county deed records. Survey was made for AmWest Savings Association and Senterfitt, Childress and Shook Law Office. Albert Stowell is requesting a Variance that would allow for three (3) oversized handicap spaces and seven (7) regular sized parking spaces for a total of ten (10) spaces for the new proposed use of Baylor Scott and White Doctor Offices, zoned Local and Through Highway Business District (C-2).

Decision: The Council unanimously approved the Resolution No. 2020-16.

3. Approve Resolution No. 2020-41 a Resolution regarding a Finance Contract for the purpose of Procuring a “Vehicle” 2020 Ford F150.

Mr. Weik reported that the current vehicle would be used elsewhere in the department.

Decision: The Council unanimously approved the Resolution No. 2020-41 a Resolution regarding a Finance Contract for the purpose of Procuring a “Vehicle” 2020 Ford F150.

4. Discuss and Consider approval of the 2020-2021 Budget for the San Saba County Chamber of Commerce concerning the use of funds from the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax presented by Dora Miller, Chamber President.

Mr. Weik stated he had met with Ms. Miller, and all questions had been answered satisfactorily. He recommended approval of this resolution.

Decision: The Council unanimously approved the 2020-2021 Budget for the San Saba County Chamber of Commerce concerning the use of funds from the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax.

5. Consider, discuss, and approve ratifying Engineering Contract from Jacob & Martin, LLC for 2020 Texas Community Block Development Grant for Elevated Water Storage Tank.

Decision: After discussion, the Council unanimously approved ratifying Engineering Contract from Jacob & Martin, LLC for 2020 Texas Community Block Development Grant for Elevated Water Storage Tank.

6. Approve an Interlocal Agreement between City and County for the Flood Plain Management Administrator.

Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator for San Saba County addressed this issue. She said the Flood Plain Management Administrator must be certified. Since the last administrator left, she has been fulfilling these duties as there is no one certified at the City. She stated this Interlocal Agreement is just formality paperwork for work she is already doing.

Decision: The Council unanimously approved the Interlocal Agreement between City and County for the Flood Plain Management Administrator.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:

A meeting is being planned between the City Manager, Scott Glaze, and the engineers to reexamine a report done several years ago on the condition of our streets. Meetings with the street and utility committee and some community meetings about it will also be planned. There are several considerations - which streets to redo and how to pay for it.

Clay’s bar/restaurant is to open tomorrow, and on the 19th, it will open for good.

There is an issue with Chase Pecan with a loud piece of equipment, a new blower. They are being fined $200 per day until it is resolved. Chase is working on resolving the issue.

The Christmas lights in Mill Pond Park will be turned on Thanksgiving Day. Mr. Glaze stated there are more lights than there have been in the past.

Sip ‘N’ Stroll will take place in December, and the Ministerial Alliance will be having a children’s activity in the plaza from 2:00-4:00 p.m. that day.

Lowe’s is getting ready to work on the slab; it is progressing along.

Family Dollar is coming to town.

Mr. Weik informed the Council of zoning issues that will be addressed in the next month.

Retailers are doing well, and sales taxes are up. The pipefitters have started to leave town, and that can have an effect.

The golf course is looking great.

There is a Veteran’s Day Celebration scheduled outside the Court House at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

There is a possibility the monthly City Council meetings will be moved to Mondays. That will be addressed next month.

There is a City Employees Christmas Party scheduled for December 2nd, and Mr. Weik encouraged the Council members to attend if they are available.

Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:41 p.m.