The City of Spur may have begun its November 21 regular meeting with hopes of a short agenda in advance of the holiday break, but found itself with a personnel matter to pursue the day before Thanksgiving During the public forum portion of Spur City Council’s Nov. 21 regular meeting—a portion of the meeting in which anyone may bring a non-agenda item before the council and audience with a 3-minute limit to speak—three business owners expressed objections to recent social media communications by newly hired chief of police Ramon Golden.
Speakers D’Laine Rutledge, Jeromy Rutledge, and Cade Rutledge claimed that Golden’s Facebook posts exhibited bigotry and “divisive rhetoric” inappropriate for a public servant whose job is to help residents “feel safe and protected.”
A packet of information they distributed to council members appears to document offensive posts and shares by Golden, including some made since he was hired as police chief Oct. 18. Neither the mayor or council members, or Golden, who was present during the meeting to provide a department report later on the agenda, were permitted by council
The following day Mayor Louise Jones, after consultation with the city’s legal counsel, issued a prepared statement that “The City of Spur is aware of a recent personnel issue and they are currently investigating.” Golden remained on duty and patrol, according to Mayor Jones in a follow-up phone call by The Texas Spur, and no further action was reported by deadline time for this week’s issue.
Non-compliant properties.
Item 7 on the meeting agenda called for council action on a list of houses and buildings within the city limits whose condition has been determined not to be up to code. All owners have been contacted through multiple efforts, said codes compliance staffer Barry Ferguson. “All of these on the list have received notice of violation; there has been a posting on the property; and certified letter has been sent,” Ferguson reported.
Council members asked for clarification on the outcome if the city votes to demolish a property, but then may end up responsible for costs and a disposal site.
The ordinance passed in 2005 is very clear, Ferguson said. “Option 1 is to take no action; Option 2 if a property is in violation, to notify the owner that they must secure or demolish within 30 days; Option 3, if additional time is necessary for repairs, allow for specific time schedules for commencement of the work.” Ferguson also clarified that an option used in the past—a controlled burn for fire practice—is off the table due to risk.
Mayor Jones clarified that the condemnation process does not involve foreclosure on the lot ownership, unless the city in due time submits a bill for demolition work and the bill is not paid, in which case a lien could be filed.
Upon opening of a public hearing, one participant was present to ask for an extension of time to consider repairs. Regarding 209 W. 5th Street, Annette Thomason was granted a request for extended time. The public hearing portion was then closed.
The following individual motions then passed unanimously with one absence.
• 517 Carroll Ave.: council approved 30 days’ notice to repair, otherwise to be condemned.
• 319 Denver Ave.: council approved 30 days’ notice to repair, otherwise to be condemned.
• 508 W. Harris St.: Already demolished.
• 500 block, W. Harris St.: Already demolished by owner.
• 515 Trumbull Ave.: council approved 30 days’ notice to repair, otherwise condemned.
• 814 Calvert Ave.: council approved 30 days’ notice to repair, otherwise condemned.
Council approved the following properties for demolition, with 30 days’ notice:
• 510 E. 2nd St.
• 423 W. 1st St.
• 705 Parker Ave.
• 316 E. 2nd St. (owner is in process of getting someone to demolish)
• 816 W. Harris St.
• 320 E. 1st St.
• 215 Carroll Ave.
• N. Parker Ave. (Smugglers Cove parcel)
• 1015 W. Harris St. (garage only)
• 712 Calvert Ave.
• 209 W. 5th St. 1022 W. 3rd St. (garage only) In other business, council appointed Willie Ortiz, Jr, and David Karr, resident member, to the Housing Authority board. (Councilwoman Hope Ortiz abstained from voting, in light of any potential conflict of interest.)
Council approved the request from Star Feed & Seed for hotel/motel tax funds in the amount of $2,000 to support its Nov. 4, 2023 annual Hunter Appreciation Meal.
Council approved the request from Thomas Pearson and Penny Pearson to build a tiny home at 301 E. 2nd. St., block 41, Lots 1 and 2, while noting that such approval was technically not required as the plan is already in compliance.
Department reports
were given by Chief Ramon Golden for the Police Department, noting clls from Oct. 19 through Nov. 19 3 civil matters, 2 traffic stops, 1 harassment, 1 criminal trespass, 2 alarm calls, 6 domestic, 1 traffic collision, 2 fire, 4 lift assists, 1 training, and 1 CPS call in addition to 2 arrests (1 public intoxication, 1 DUI).
For public works, supervisor Chris Cornett noted 2 water taps completed, along with working on potholes, and one sewer tap; a State of Texas luncheon with mayor in Lubbock on water conservation to learn about the constitutional amendment proposition on water infrastructure for small cities (which passed); and 1 job application and 1 application request for the two current vacancies.
For codes compliance, Barry Ferguson noted that the work on substandard building violations took a lot of time last month. Also, Texas Communities Group has received the tax deed for a property at 502 Max Ave. to be auctioned online (for which the successful bidder will have to comply with tearing building down). Other proposed auction properties should be presented for approval at next council meeting. A permit request by the Dollar Tree store for beer and wine sales permit is pending. A lien is to be placed on property at 823 Miller, which is on the Dec. 5 county sheriff’s sale; the lot has been cleared, and the property is subject to an estimated $20,000 in back taxes. Fergusion received an inquiry from a dealer in Austin that sells prepackaged, prewired tiny homes. Finally, Ferguson recommend that the city look into restricting RV parking on city streets.
City Secretary Nanette Yanez reported that Municipal Judge Jody Duggan had responses from 2 violation letters but did not mention collecting fines. His next scheduled date in the Spur office is Dec. 14. She also noted office closure dates of Nov. 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving. Financial and other reports were in council packets. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Yanez also reported on a successful application for an SPEC Operation Round Up grant for assistance in Rickels Park improvements, in the amount of $1,500. The city will be seeking ideas from community on priorities for the project. The financial auditor has been working on 2022, 2023 audits, and the majority of records had been documented. Council held a workshop Nov. 8 and has advertised for two city technician positions.
Yanez said that she is working on building a city website that will be a “better alternative” for archiving reports for public retrieval, at a savings of some $4,000 per year in archiving costs for social media accounts. “The aim is to get rid of social media,” she said.
The city is waiting for signatures on interlocal agreement with Dickens County Sheriff ’s Office, she said, but all invoices related to law enforcement services have been paid.
Executive session regarding personnel. Following the regular agenda and reports, council adjourned into an executive session, at which time visitors departed. There was no report of action following.
Present for the evening’s meeting were Mayor Louise Jones and council members Rhea Melton, Hope Ortiz, Laidy Vasquez, Glenda White and Don Wright. Council member Elaine Harris was absent.
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