June 10, 2024 City Council Meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Robert Whitten opened the meeting on June 10, 2024, in Mayor Ken Jordan's absence.
Public Hearing:
After the invocation and Pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag, a Public Hearing was opened to hear comments on the following: Approve a change in zoning for the property located at 502 West Pierce Street, San Saba, Texas. Tony Jacobs, Jr. is requesting that the property be zoned to Residential (R-2) One-Family Residential.
The Planning and Zoning Commission met in Open Session on May 23, 2024, and voted 4-0 in favor of approving a Zoning Change for this property.
Tony Jacobs, Jr. was present and addressed the council on this matter during the Public Hearing. He explained that the property has not been used for Commercial use in the last 30 years and has been used for a small efficiency for the last 15 years. He stated the base utility rate for Commercial is 1.5 the rate for Residential. This request is to save the tenant money on utilities.
Later in the meeting, during the Discussion/Action Items section, the Council unanimously Utility Billing Coordinator Bridget Macedo was presented as June 2024 Employee of the Month. Her supervisor, City Treasurer Charlene Lindsay, noted Bridget has been with the City for 10 years, and she is an excellent employee.
Animal Control Director Jason Vogel was awarded the “Supervisor of the Second Quarter” award for 2024. Investigator Steven Newkirk described Jason as a person who seeks friendship from the community he serves. Jason has also been seen taking money out of his own pocket to help citizens in need. Investigator Newkirk went on to tell specific instances when Jason helped out individuals in the community.
Consent Agenda Items:
The following items were approved: Minutes from the May 14th meeting, payment of bills as presented, Resolution No. 202416 waiving the noise nuisances on June 13th - June 16th at Risien Park for Cow Camp Cook-off, and Resolution No. 2024-17 waiving the noise nuisances on July 6th at Mill Pond Gazebo for Lionela Rodriguez.
Discussion/Action Items:
The Council unanimously approved awarding a construction contract to Gage and Cade Construction, LLC related to the Downtown Sidewalk Project. City Manager Scott Edmonson explained that bids were solicited. A background check on this company came back okay, and their bid was accepted. The City will do the electric work, and the company furnish the materials.
The Council approved an amendment/correction to Ordinance No. 2024-04, pertaining to a property owned by James and Heloise Lebow. City Manager Edmonson explained this was approved last time; this is only an amendment to correct one of the details that was incorrect.
City Manager’s Report:
Splash Pad - it is going well. The valve was too small. It was replaced, and now the tower bucket dumps water more often. Folks seem to really like it, not just children, but teens and adults as well. The hot weather makes it very inviting.
Phone issues - signal issues and dropped calls in town are a problem. City Manager Edmonson is working on getting a meeting with AT&T engineers.
Cow Camp is coming up.
Nature Kamp went well.
Golf Camp is coming up in a couple of weeks.
New employees - Brandon Verette started in the Electric Department. A new Police Officer is working on paperwork and will be starting soon. The guys have been doing double shifts to get things done.
Before the meeting was adjourned, Alderman Oleta Behrens invited everyone to her Retirement Party at the CTTC office on June 24th from 10-11 a.m. She has worked at CTTC for 22 ½ years.