Among the highlights of the meeting, the City of Cooper Council approved the future clean up week as April 15-22, 2017 and also to waive dump fees for Cooper Clean-Up Crew on the day they are organized and volunteer once each month.
“I suggest we waive the fees [on set days] as this benefit the whole community,” said City of Cooper Mayor Scotty Stegall. He also offered to provide trash bags. Councilwoman Donna Thomason motioned, seconded by Councilwoman JoAnn Preas to unanimously contribute to this cause.
City Attorney Jay Garrett suggested to Cooper Clean-Up Crew volunteer/section leader Amanda L’Esperance to form a contract to bring to County Court for community service hours.
The Council was impressed by the new website unveiled by City Secretary Emily House. She said it was a “work in progress” and was about to be able to take online payments. The address is http://cityofcoopertx.municipalimpact.com/.
The Council also unanimously approved the 2017 election. It is emphasized that only registered voters living inside the City of Cooper limits are qualified to vote in the upcoming election. Citizens have until 30 days before May 6 Election Day to register. Those who have a Cooper, Texas address living outside the city limits are not eligible to vote. Early 12-hour voting days approved was April 24, 2017 and May 2, 2017. Ballot drawing will be held on Feb. 27, 2017. Citizens have until Feb. 17, 2017 to sign up to run for election. Currently running for the Mayoral position is: Darren Braddy, Amanda L’Esperance, Carl Reel, Galen Kimbrell and Joseph Christopher Flanery. For running the two Council positions will be Allen Foster, Bobby Rhein along with incumbents Donna Thomason and E.J. Cates.
The City of Cooper donated $1,500.00 to the Delta County Youth Baseball Association. Receiving the donation from Mayor Stegall was Allen Foster and Bobby Rhein. The duo also presented an update on the fields.
In keeping with the clean up theme the Council approved the amended contract with Sanitation Solutions, who was crucial in helping with the demolition of many abandoned structures. The contract extension included a price freeze for one year for garbage prices for customers of Cooper. In exchange they have helped demolish 10 structures last year, so far three this year and over the years 54 structures torn down in order to benefit the curb appeal of the city.
The City proclaimed March 19-25, 2017 as Poison Prevention Week. Attorney Garrett read aloud a summary of it.
The City meets the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Council chambers on the North Side of the Square in Cooper.
