There were a multitude of honors at Tuesday night’s City of Sulphur Springs Council meeting. The gavel was passed from Madame Mayor Kayla Price Mitchell to newly re-elected Emily Glass. Councilman Clay Walker was named Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman Freddie Taylor and Glass were both sworn into office by City Secretary Gale Roberts.
“Let me just say before we elect a new Mayor some advice – start early because it goes so fast,” said Mayor Kayla Price Mitchell, as she extended deep appreciation to City Secretary Gale Roberts and City Manager Marc Maxwell for their help with the responsibilities of the Mayor and to her fellow volunteer council members. Following the announcements both Mitchell and Glass presented red roses to their spouses in keeping with tradition.
“I hope I can do as well as Kayla [Price Mitchell] has,” replied Emily Glass.
The four representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution East Fork Trinity Chapter 47 presented the colors in full authentic dress as well as complimenting the City on the proper flying of the flag with a commemorative certificate.
Among those in attendance the Destination Imagination students and managers from Sulphur Springs Middle School were honored by the City with the reading of a special Proclamation.
“For this record-setting event we honor the 2016 Technical Team…and recognize these students for their success and encourage them for their World Championship at Destination Imagination competition,” said Madame Mayor Kayla Price Mitchell.
Among the announcements were calendar events including the 25th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 2 starting at 7:45 p.m. downtown Sulphur Springs or otherwise known as the “best free concert” in this area and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival will be coming up next week.
City Manager Maxwell reported on the progress of projects.
“Bill Bradford Road is picking up steam. Utilities work continues from west to east, only now we have two capital construction teams on the job,” said City Manager Marc Maxwell. “Bill Bradford Road is closed to through traffic, but open to customers of the businesses located in the closed portion of the road, namely Village Pawn and Gun Shop, Sulphur Springs Floral Etc. and the V F Outlet Mall.” He stated the EZ Mart sewer project is completed, and the Tesla charging station portion of the project is almost complete.”
However the Jefferson Street parking lot has been delayed by wet weather. It will have 77 new parking spaces.
“We put the finishing touches on the GSC Pavilion this month with the installation of Bermuda sod and an irrigation system,” he added. “Special thanks to GSC Enterprises, Bar H Construction, SS Commercial Services, McCormick Roofing, and the Adult Leadership Class of 2016 for their generous donations of cash, labor, and materials that made the project possible. A sign will be erected near the pavilion thanking those who contributed.”
Finance Director Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures. He and Maxwell explained a situation with a large overpayment in franchise fees from Oncor. To remedy the situation Oncor will be taking back $60,000 per year for the next four years. Karstens said he will be adjusting the budget accordingly.
Highlights from other projects included: opening flood gates at Lake Sulphur Springs during 14 days during rain events, treated 124 million gallons of potable water, made 97 arrests, responded to 38 accidents, (10 with injuries), wrote 572 citations and recorded 77 offences, responded to 173 animal control calls, and achieved an adoption rate of 22 percent, made 7 felony arrests in the special crimes unit and checked out 2,515 materials from the library.
The consent agenda and prior meeting minutes were both approved with Councilman John Sellers not present.
The Council passed ordinance 26.81 to change a property located at 520 South Davis from multi-family to light commercial.
Following a long discussion with public comments and the need for a super majority vote the Council agreed to reject a rezoning of 610 South Davis from single family to two-family.
Public Works Director Russ Nuss presented a bid for paving on Bill Bradford as well as a contract for Cement Traded Subgrade. Both were accepted. Council woman Kayla Price Mitchell noted she appreciated his pro-activeness to keep the City streets in good working condition.
Madame Mayor Glass read aloud the individuals serving on boards and commissions to which received unanimous approval.
One other public comment was given regarding water drainage to which City Manager Maxwell will be addressing by ways of an engineer.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.