The San Saba City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, February 14th, 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; John Whitney, Parks Department Employee; Eugene Bessent, Parks Department Supervisor; Cole McDowell, Street Department Employee; Joann Weik, Citizen; and Djuana Payton, Reporter for San Saba News & Star.
Ceremonial Presentations/Presentations:
1. Employee of the Month award for January, 2022.
“Employee of the Month” Award for January 2022: John Whitney, Parks Department, received recognition as January’s Employee of the Month. His supervisor, Eugene Bessent, stated John has been with the City for a long time and has moved to the Parks Department. He has been a great help to the department and learns quickly when given new tasks. John’s name was engraved on a dedicated “Employee of the Month” plaque. In addition, he received a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
2. Employee of the Month award for February, 2022.
“Employee of the Month” Award for February 2022: Cole McDowell, Streets Department, received recognition as February Employee of the Month. Scott Glaze spoke on behalf of Cole’s supervisor and stated Cole has been with the City for 17 years. Mr. Glaze gave an example of the Street Department crew’s backhoe broke when a line needed to be fixed, and Maintenance was not able to fix it right then. Cole took a day, got dirty, and fixed the backhoe so the crew could get their job finished and the line replaced. Mr. Glaze praised the City employees and said, “They don’t say, ‘it’s not my job.’” Cole’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 January 10th, 2022 Council Meeting;
2. Payment of bills presented to City Council;
3. Approve Joint Election Agreement with SSISD;
4. Approve Calling and Giving Notice of Joint School & City Election; and
5. Approve Order of Election.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve all of the above items.
Discussion/Action Items:
1. Discuss and Take Action to award a materials Contract to Benmark for the Water Improvements TxCDBG Project.
Mr. Edmonson stated this is for the tank improvement project, and this is to officially accept this bid. He noted the City saved $50,000 - $75,000 when the project was rebid without the piping. He noted that more bids were received once the piping was taken out of the project. The piping part is now going to be done by City employees.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to award a materials Contract to Benmark for the Water Improvements TxCDBG Project.
2. Discuss and Consider approval of Resolution No. 2022- 03, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas, regarding Contract No. 9816 for the purpose of Financing a “Freightliner with Rear Loader."
Mr. Edmonson informed the Council that this item was approved with the budget. This is the new truck for the Transfer Station.
Decision: The Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 2022-03, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas, regarding Contract No. 9816 for the purpose of Financing a “Freightliner with Rear Loader."
City Manager's Report:
Mr. Edmonson gave the following updates to the Council:
• Tank project - The main system was taken offline, and all went smoothly. The project is underway.
• Splash Pad - It seems there were bid issues and confusion. It is possible other vendors will be looked at for this project.
• Streets - The Street Department, with the help of other departments, have gone out and measured all streets in the city and documented which streets had curbs to get a general assessment. The streets were classified as good, fair, or poor. This information will be used when deciding when to recoat, curb, etc. Mr. Edmonson would like to color code a map in the not so distant future for the Council to have for their information.
• Golf Course - Cleaning and tree trimming are underway. Hogs are causing quite a problem there; they are in abundance. New wire for sprinklers are being laid, and an old cart shed is being cleaned out.
• Parks - All the Christmas lights have been taken down, and the water wheel has been repaired.
• Animal Control - There have been lots of calls on skunks.
• Relief Funds - Working on how best to use these funds. They could be used for water lines so the lines won’t be in the street. Something on this will be presented to the Council at the next meeting.
• Code Enforcement - Mr. Wadsworth has gotten quite a few broken down vehicles in town moved, and the folks with burned lots are working on cleaning them up.
• Mr. Jacob’s Restaurant - they are hoping to be able to open sometime around the end of April or the beginning of May.
Mr. Edmonson noted this is the last Monday meeting date, and the next meeting will move back to Tuesday.
Mayor Ken Jordan adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m.