City Manager’s Report:
Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13th, and announced a quorum present. Alderman Shawn Oliver led the Invocation and Pledges.
Public Hearing:
The public hearing was opened at 6:01 p.m. Kevin Shahan is requesting that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the San Saba City Council approve a Variance to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the City of San Saba’s Code of Ordinance Minimum Parking Requirements, Article XVII, Section 17.3 (f), for property located at 1102 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, Legal Description, being out of the Harwood and Fentress Subdivision, Block No. 63, and Size E 1/2 of SE 1/4 157.5 x 60, W 1/2 of E 1/4 154.1 x 60, PT 147.5 x 60. The property is currently zoned Commercial (C-2).
The Planning and Zoning Commission met in Open Session on February 2, 2023, and voted with a 4 to 0 Vote in favor of approving the Variance to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the City of San Saba’s Code of Ordinance Minimum Parking Requirements, Article XVII, Section 17.3 (f), for property located at 1102 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, Legal Description, being out of the Harwood and Fentress Subdivision, Block No. 63, and Size E 1/2 of SE 1/4 157.5 x 60, W 1/2 of E 1/4 154.1 x 60, PT 147.5 x 60. The property is currently zoned Commercial (C2). Kevin Shahan was available to answer questions. Mayor Jordan explained that Mr. Shahan would present during the discussion/ action item since there were no citizens were present to express their views.
The public hearing was closed at 6:02 p.m.
Public Comments:
None - Kevin Shahan, Brad Williams, and William Cade signed up to speak and their comments will be heard during the discussion/action item.
Presentations:
Zane Churchill, Utility Billing Clerk was selected as the Employee of the Month for February. Bridgett Macedo, Customer Service Billing Coordinator and Alderman Shawn Oliver presented Zane with a plaque with her name on it and a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Consent Agenda:
On a motion by Alderman Shawn Oliver, seconded by Alderman Marcus Amthor, Council unanimously approved the following: minutes from the January 9, 2023, council meeting; payment of bills; approved Joint Election Agreement with SSISD; approved Calling and Giving Notice of Joint School & City Election; approved Order of Election; approved Resolution No. 2023-02 waiving noise ordinance on June 18th, 2022, for Marissa Johnson at Mill Pond Park Gazebo; approved Resolution No. 2023-03 waiving noise ordinance on June 18th, 2022, for Kevin Lee at Joe Ragsdale Pavilion.
Discussion/Action Items: The first action item was to Discuss and consider approving Ordinance No. 2023-01, an Ordinance of the City of San Saba, Texas, regarding a Variance for Kevin Shahan to the City of San Saba's Code of Ordinance Minimum Parking Requirements, Article XVII, Section 17.3 (f), for property located at 1102 W. Wallace Street, San Saba, Texas, Legal Description, being out of the Harwood and Fentress Subdivision, Block No. 63, and Size E 1/2 of SE 1/4 157.5 x 60, W 1/2 of E 1/4 154.1 x 60, PT 147.5 x 60, currently zoned Commercial (C-2). Kevin Shahan addressed the City Council and said he is asking for a variance to the minimum parking spaces due to the amount of parking spaces required for the size of the building and there should be nowhere near that amount needed to accommodate the parking traffic he will need. He explained that his plans are to locate his office in the new building, the Taco Shop may be returning, and there will be two additional spaces for other retail or office space. After further discussion, Alderman Michael Nelson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 202301, seconded by Alderman Oleta Behrens and was unanimously approved and passed with a 5 to 0 Vote.
The second action item was to Discuss and Consider approval of Resolution No. 2023-04, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas, re-affirming policies in connection with the TxCDBG program. City Manager Scott Edmonson explained that this is just to re-affirm the policies the policies the City has adopted previously in conjunction with the TxCDBG grants.Alderman Shawn Oliver made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-04, seconded by Alderman Marcus Amthor, and Resolution No. 2023-04 was unanimously approved and passed with a 5 to 0 Vote.
The third action item was to Discuss, Consider, and Approve changing Council meeting date in March to the third Monday; i.e. Monday, March 20th. City Manager Scott Edmonson explained that the A&M Rural Med Student will be in San Saba on Monday and Tuesday, and they would like to have him visit and attend the March Council meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Whitten made a motion to approve changing the Council meeting date in March to the third Monday, March 20th, seconded by Alderman Michael Nelson and was unanimously approved
The fourth action item was to Discuss, Consider, and Approve Resolution No. 2023-05, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas, regarding a Finance Contract between the City of San Saba and Government Capital Corporation for the Purpose of Procuring “Golf Cart Sheds.” City Manager Scott Edmonson explained that the Golf Sheds had been approved previously in the Budget, but this is part of the financing process with Government Capital Corporation. Alderman Marcus Amthor made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-05 regarding a Finance Contract between the City of San Saba and Government Capital Corporation for the Purpose of Procuring “Golf Cart Sheds,” seconded by Alderman Shawn Oliver and was unanimously approved on a 5 to 0 vote.
The fifth action item was to Discuss, Consider, and Approve Resolution No. 2023-06, a Resolution of the City of San Saba, Texas, authorizing the Community Foundation of San Saba County, Inc. to move forward with their newest project, to construct and build a Multi-Purpose Livestock Show Barn that will service San Saba County and all visitors, located directly behind the Civic Center on City property. Brad Williams on behalf of the San Saba Community Foundation addressed the City Council and explained, that the Community Foundation is taking on this project of the Multi-Purpose Livestock Show Barn and was bringing it to City Council to get approval to move forward due to wanting to have renderings of the project available prior to Catkins in April and the Polo Match in September. The Community Foundation has earmarked fifty thousand dollars toward this project, the Polo Match raised approximately seventy thousand dollars, and the Wild Game Cookoff has committed to forty thousand dollars. The Architect has donated time for the footprint of the project. They have looked at several location sites and feel that the location by the Civic Center is the best due to the amount of space for parking and access for events to the Civic Center. Brad also explained that there would be an agreement or contract in the future that will outline the stipulations of the project and when the project is complete it will be turned over to the City, like the Community Foundation did with the Visitor's Center. Alderman Michael Nelson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-06 authorizing the Community Foundation of San Saba County, Inc. to move forward with their newest project, to construct and build a Multi-Purpose Livestock Show Barn that will service San Saba County and all visitors, located directly behind the Civic Center on City property, seconded by Alderman Oleta Behrens, and was unanimously approved by all.
The sixth action item was to Discuss, Consider and Approve allowing the San Saba County Fire Department to have access to Mill Pond Park Reservoir for Water Rescue Training purposes. William Cade with the San Saba County Fire Department addressed the City Council and explained that he was here on behalf of the San Saba County Fire Department asking the City Council to approve the Fire Department to do Rescue Training at Mill Pond Reservoir. Mr. Cade said that the previous administration had stopped the Fire Department from doing the training. He felt that it is necessary to continue to have the training due to fatality drownings that happened previously at Mill Pond Park. They would be training from the beach and launch boat ramp and would not do this training during the busy time at the beach or park, would train during the down time. The Fire Department feels they need to get their volunteers up to date in case another incident should occur so they are prepared. The public would be invited out to watch. Alderman Shawn Oliver made a motion to approve allowing the San Saba County Fire Department to have access to Mill Pond Park Reservoir for Water Rescue Training purposes, seconded by Alderman Marcus Amthor and was unanimously approved by all.
The seventh action item was to Discuss options moving forward with financing regarding the Splash Pad. City Manager Scott Edmonson addressed the City Council and explained that the City has run into another issue with the Splash Pad project. The cost of the splash pad has increased tremendously since the City originally applied for the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, and the City will now need to finance an additional $74,094.62 through Government Capital. That is not the only issue - now that there will only be one above-ground feature due to cost increase, the project is now considered real property, and Government Capital will only be able to finance about $83,000.00 of the project. However, San Saba EDC can do the project, and the City will be responsible for the financed amount. If approved by Council to move forward with this project, it will need to be taken to EDC for approval to take on the project. We spoke to Morgan with Public Management, and the Grant portion of the project will not be affected if EDC takes this on. The City plans to put two to three above ground features in their budget yearly to replace the sprayers. This is the only way the City will be able to complete this project financially. Alderman Marcus Amthor made a motion to approve moving forward with financing regarding the Splash Pad and take to EDC for approval to take this project on, seconded by Alderman Shawn Oliver, and was unanimously approved on a 5 to 0 vote.
Scott Edmonson, City Manager reported on the following activities in the City of San Saba:
• Continued talks with the San Saba Youth Sports Association regarding a baseball and soccer fields in City owned property located in the area behind the Nursing Home;
• met with the Mayor and City Administrator of Mason regarding Streets and how they feasibly maintain their streets;
• theA&M Rural Health Student will arrive in San Saba March 19th and we have him lined out to work with Hamilton EMS, Dr. Whiting, the Pharmacy, Baseball game, Young Life, McKinley Crownover at the County Extension Agent Office to visit county offices, Holt at Oliver Pecan, Steve Dyer with the A&M lunch;
• the Pregnancy Center at the Health Services Center is moving forward;
• Solaris Healthcare will be moving into the Health Services Center and utilizing five rooms;
• the TxCDBG DRP sidewalk grant is on schedule and moving forward;
• the Water Line project is complete with the exception of the paving and will be starting on that next week, there were delays due to weather.
Other Reports:
Scott Glaze, Public Works Director reported on the ATMOS Project: the guys doing the boring hit a High Voltage line. He stated he was really proud of the Electric Department guys; they replaced 300' of line in three hours.
Michael Wadsworth, Code Enforcement Officer reported:
• San Saba Pecan broke ground today on their new 65' tall new building project;
• the police department has arrested several people on code issues, towed four vehicles, and two RV's;
• Bluffton is 90% clean. As there was no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.