which experienced several issues over the years related to its community development block grant for sewer improvements, signed off on the final reports for Contract No. 7219421 on Nov. 16, with no members of the public attending the hearing.
It was the end of a long road with delays in procurement, administrative approvals, and engineering changes—but city staff were pleased to report on completion of the lift station and related projects at the Nov. 15 regular city council meeting. Fencing around the lift station on the south side of the city marked the final step.
Mapping of sewer and other utility lines, and city boundaries, was the focus of another topic on the Nov. 15 agenda. Spur resident Alan Lake and his spokesperson, Ron Lear from the city of Lubbock, informed the Spur council on some possible uses of opensource GIS (geographical information systems) software, with a request for access to Dickens CAD geospatial data that they would put to use for the city’s benefit.
While Mayor Jones reminded Lake that access to view and copy maps is available upon request to all during business hours, the city does not have authority to provide GIS data, or the means to reproduce maps itself.
Further, Jones said that the city has recently obtained new maps that pinpoint sewer lines and other systems.
The matter was tabled.
Council next heard a request, with extensive detail, from water customers Tonya and Kelly Kelsey regarding a sewer tap issue. The Kelseys said the problem with raw sewage has persisted for almost two years, with repair expenses of more than $20,000 in an attempt to pinpoint the cause. City works director Chris Cornett commented that old sewer taps do sometimes have to be replaced. Council instructed city technicians to promptly investigate and set up a time to install a new sewer tap, making this in the form of a motion, which carried.
Council approved a zoning variance request allowing a mobile home at 512 Sterley Avenue, from Robert Rosilez, who assured the council that he planned to remove axles and add skirting after setting the home. “It’s built just like a house, with 2x4 framing,” Rosilez said of the used mobile home he plans to install. Asked whether the home had been inspected, Rosilez said it would have to be brought to the site first, then get a city inspector out. The motion for a variance passed with council member Don Wright against and four others in favor (one absence).
Council approved a request from Star Feed & Seed for $1,500 in hotel/ motel funds to support its annual hunter apprecation dinner.
Council also approved the request by Spur Hardware, sponsor of the Lighted Christmas Parade, for right of passage on a short stretch of Hwy. 70 for Dec. 17, 2022, for a 45 to 90 minute time span. Hardware store represntative Jeromy Rutledge said he had prepared necessary documentation for TxDOT review. TxDOT will require copy of city’s liability insurance policy. Mayor Jones said that the City would also need to approve a resolution supporting the event, and would take care of that matter.
Under department reports, the fire department welcomed Taylor Phillips, a new firefighter, who lives a few miles outside Spur. The department also reported that following a Nov. 11 meeting with MWM Architects & Contractors, all design recommendations should be finalized after Thanksgiving and paperwork would be handed over to the contractor to begin site work.
The city had requested bids for purchase of the old fire department building on South Burlington Avenue, and the department had applied for a TFS grant that would cover equipment and tools, laptop, TV for training videos, and a smoke machine. The department had also applied to Texas Farm Bureau for a grant to purchase tires.
For public works, Chris Cornett reported fixing water leaks and other routine work.
For codes compliance, a written report was submitted noting: a tiny house on E. 1st and Max Lane was approved as up to code; a motor home located on a burned-out lot on Carroll Avenue was cited; intrust lots on S. Parker Ave. had been shredded nad mowed; letters had been sent to owners of abandoned car on Franklin Avenue; a permit for disposal pit is on the next agenda of TCEQ; and the disposal pit area at the former prison property had been mowed.
For municipal court, Ashley Carothers reported $581 in fines collected during the previous month. Judge Duggan was in the office Nov. 13.
For the city, Carothers reported that City Hall would be closed Nov. 2425 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The next regular city council meeting was scheduled for Dec 20, 2022.
Carothers had completed the city clerk’s 6-month evaluation and had compiled informatio for 2020 and 2021 financial audits. One employee attended wastewater training and will be taking the test in January. Police Chief Billy Spears is at chief school. The city has received three applications for the city tech position and none for the codes compliance position. No bids had been received to date to purchase the fire department property; bidding was to close Nov. 23. A Texas CDBG grant hearing was scheduled, and an insurance audit for TML had been completed. New garbage collection contractor Cap Rock Waste would require about a month for all containers to be set; at that time SOS Waste will send a final invoice.
City council went into a brief executive session regarding the city clerk, and afterward brought a motion to extend the clerk’s probationary period by three months. Council acted on minutes, special meeting and invoices before adjourning.
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