The Spur City Council turned a page to new leadership May 17 after canvassing votes of the May 7 municipal election, with newly elected Hope Ortiz taking the oath of office before participating in her first regular monthly meeting. The oath was also administered to reelected incumbents Laidy Vazquez and Glenda White.
Vote totals were: Ward 2, Laidy Vasquez, 3 votes; Ward 3, Glenda White, 3 votes; in the contested Ward 1 race, April Ortiz, 19 votes, Kristy Price, 6 votes.
Project updates. First on the lengthly agenda was a project update from Argo Blockchain representative Barbara Bogart, who recapped adjustments made to the Spur swimming pool renovation plan following a citizens’ forum the previous week. Bogart listed the proposed features residents turned down, which included a barbecue grill and playground area inside the fenced pool area (these being perhaps more desirable outside the fence than in), and the features residents recommended, such as a shallow-end ledge, entry steps, and a diving board. A water slide, though approved by citizens, was not included in the ameded plan due to cost, but council members requested a price for this item.
Bogart also reported on work that had resumed, including provision of 150 yards of fill dirt from Dickens County, with the county providing dirt and labor and Argo paying for fuel to haul it.
Additionally, Chris Cornett said that the city had begun work on the water line supplying the pool and bathhouse earlier that day, and that the pool contractor, Kevin Romero of Lubbock-based Luxe Pools, would be back in Spur during the coming week.
“We’re reall excited about this and think it will be a great thing for the community, county and region,” said Bogart, who said the project was still on track for the end of summer 2022.
Mayor pro tem Glenda White provided an update on bathhouse renovations, stating that inside is finished except for some plumbing details. “It looks awesome — doors on stalls are wonderful, it looks great,” White said.
In other updates from the city works department, Chris Cornett said that a new fire hydrant had been installed in front of Spur Hardware at 3rd and Burlington, and three more would be installed this week, along with a new manhole. Equipment was coming in for work on the lift station, Cornett said.
Regarding the Mortenson Construction request for a water connection, Cornett reported that the firm had not set up its water tanks yet, while waiting on a part to arrive.
Cornett had no update on the fire station project.
City secretary Ashley Carothers reported that a contractor had been secured to replace the water-damaged floor at the Spur Community Center, but that work would not start until July 27. An eposy-finish floor will be installed that will include a City of Spur logo design. The center “can be open for small stuff,” but activity should be blocked off at the kitchen for now.
Various proposals and motions. A request for consideration of a prospective RV Park by Steve Olivarez was tabled, as Olivarez was not present.
Council approved a bid by Alexander Electric services for wiring in the storage room at City Hall, with funds to be taken out of the existing budget.
Council considered two bid for the repair of the city tornado siren on Cowan Street, opting for Alexander Services’ bid of $4,800.
Council approved the appointment of James Robinson to the board of the Spur Economic Development Council.
Council approved adoption of a civil rights policy related to acceptance of Texas Community Development Block Grand funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture, which involved fair housing practices, a code of conduct, and grievance policies. Council also authorized city signatories to CDBG grant forms.
Personnel action. Following a brief executive session, council approved hiring of Spur resident Clinton Stinson as codes compliance officer, to succeed John Schmidt, who will be retiring in June. Stinson’s employment offer, effective immediately, will involve a six-month probation period at a pay rate of $11 per hours, with eligibility for an increase following a successful probation period.
Stinson indicated that he would be available to start immediately, in order to undergo training with Schmidt for a few weeks.
Departmental reports. In departmental reports, police officer Taylor Howerton gave an oral report including eight felony offenses and two arrests during the past month. Howerton confirmed to Mayor Louise Jones that there are also several cases under active investigation.
Chris Cornett reported completion of one water tap and four sewer taps; working on creating a disposal pit at the old prison property; and spraying weeds at the sewer plant. Cornett said that spraying overgrown trees at the pivot had been accomplished for $1,600, a significantly reduced cost over the estimated $4,000 cost for shredding the vegetation. City staff had swept the accumulated mud from Burlington Avenue in front of city hall, but confirmed that street surface from the highway to curb is the responsibility of TxDOT. (Note that curbs were flushed clean with water within a few days of this report.)
Codes compliance officer Schmidt submitted a report that (1) an address of 311 Clarity Avenue had been assigned to the new Joplin RV park; (2) warning letters had been sent to residents with exposed household goods on South 2nd Street; (3) tax-delinquent properties in Spur that went unsold propoerties at the May 3 county sheriff’s sale would soon be available for sale at auction; (4) work had been monitored at the new Family Dollar location on Hill Street; (5) action had been taken on a complant of three dogs loose in back yard; (6) action had been taken on a report of people living in a travel trailer behind a house on West Harris Street.
For municipal court, Ashley Carothers reported $692 in fines collected; meetings were being conducted via Zoom and in person; and Judge Duggan back in office May 18.
Carothers also noted that the final installment due to Handyman Services (Robert Delarcuz) for work on the pool bathhouse had been paid.
The next council meeting is slated for Tuesday, June 21, Carothers said. She would also be attending the South Plains chapter meeting in Hale Center on June 8, and was working on training the new city clerk
The South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) is waiting to move forward with solid waste grant applications, Carothers said.
Regarding selection of an accountant to conduct a government audit of city finances, Carothers reported that those she has contacted are not accepting new clients at present.
New city ordinances. Council presented and approved four new ordinances involving rate increases for municipal services. (See details in public notices posted in The Texas Spur, May 26, 2022). Charges to residential and commercial customers for mosquito control, garbage collection and disposal, street improvements, and fire truck were all approved.
Council also considered a request for an electrical rate increase for customers within city, with a reasonable rate increase to be reimbursed by AEP Texas. Carothers explained that although AEP Texas had filed to increase their cost recovery, numerous cities engaged an attorney to review to review the request and were advised to deny the AEP request.
On a final matter regarding ordinances, council member Rhea Melton went over the numerous responses to Spur’s animal control ordinance that had been provided by a peer city staffer at the request of Spur citizen Gayle Massaro. Melton noted that the suggestions were valuable and that the commenter recognized a city the size of Spur likely lacked resources and staff to enact most of the suggested improvements. “We don’t have the budget,” said Melton, “but our option is to shut our eyes to the problem.”
Council member Don Wright thanked Massaro, who was present, for her time and effort and pledged that city council would continue to explore the matter, and seek to discover if any applicable grants might be available.
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