In its regular meeting of Feb. 15, 2022, Spur City Council had a full agenda of topics concerning, and of interest to, citizens—and a good-sized crowd filled the tight quarters of City Hall to participate.
Among the 15 items on the agenda, #5, “Discussion from Eric and Linda Swenson on a potential new fire house” perhaps piqued the greatest curiosity. The Swensons laid out their intent to provide financial backing for a plan, tentatively worked out with Spur Volunteer Fire Department chief Wess Abbott, current property owners, and Dickens County to construct a new facility at the northwest corner of Burlington Avenue and Third Street. The Swensons explained that this project had been the result of considerable deliberation and informal discussion about what the city most needed, and buy-in from a small group of leaders who would form an LLC to oversee construction and then deed the firehouse to the city. Showing preliminary sketches of an approximately 8,000-square-foot building, the Swensons expressed a wish for their role to be low-key.
City council took no action but all present expressed pleasure and gratitude at the prospect.
(For a more detailed description of the firehouse plan, see The Texas Spur issues of Feb. 17 and Feb. 24, 2022.)
In public forum, New York Life agent Marcelina Morales of Ralls offered to visit with city staff in the future about options for life insurance.
On the regular agenda, Spur residents Becky and Steven Torres presented a case for forgiveness of a high water bill at their under-renovation property, resulting from an apparent leak beginning on January 4, 2022. Residents and city workers provided details but the nature of the leak remained unclear. Mayor Louise Jones asked to table the matter pending further investigation.
Council considered a request by property owner Carlos Barrera for a zoning variance to allow an RV park in the residential area at the corner of W. 3rd Street and W. Parker Avenue. Barrerra said he would like to place seven or eight units on those four lots. Based upon the city’s canvass of nine residential neighbors (two letters returned; one approving, one disapproving), council approved the request.
Council heard a request from Argo Blockchain community relations representative Briana Sturgis that the community and/or city sest up a cryptocurrency digital wallet for accepting donations from the company. No action taken.
Item #6 on the agenda (Discuss, consider and act upon completion of Ramon Golden and Hayden Parker 6-month probationary period) was tabled, as the parties were unable to attend.
Regarding a previous city resolution (#662) approving Spur Economic Development Corporation funding for a Teysha Properties LLC project, by agreement of both the EDC and recipient the resolution was rescinded.
Council adopted resolution #674 authorizing expenditure of EDC funds for the previously approved Spur Senior Citizens Center roofing project, for which work and documentation have now been completed.
Council approved holding a joint election with Spur ISD for a general election on May 7, 2022 to elect aldermen for the City of Spur (one from each ward, 1, 2, and 3 for 2-year terms). Voting times were set as 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25–May 7, 2022. Mayor Jones explained that new regulations no longer require extended hours in such cases.
Council also approved holding a joint election with Spur ISD on May 7, 2022.
In department reports, the Spur Police Department reported 42 calls for service in January 2022.
City Works reported reparing water leaks and sewer lines, and also reported completion of demolition on old barn beside the former Day building, how the city barn property. Some historical records and artifacts were uncovered in the process; council member Fronye Morris requested these be turned over to the Spur museum.
Reporting on codes compliance, John Schmidt said investigation into a complaint regarding extension of the Blackburn Wrecker junkyard was ongoing; due to uncertainty regarding city versus county situation of the land, the city attorney had been consulted and the city was awaiting a response.
Cty secretary Ashley Carothers reported she had provided to Dickens County a list of 29 tax-delinquent properties for a possible sheriff’s sale. For demolition and disposal of previously condemned structures, the city continues to looking for another available property for a disposal pit.
City staff completed a webinar on codes enforcement, and Chief Spears is monitoring 3 previous properties that were warned regarding noncompliance.
Carothers also reported that the city appears to be lacking an ordinance regarding its stated six-month limit on residence in travel trailers, and is consulting the attorney to draft one.
For municipal court, $730 in fines were collected for February and no new letters sent. New municipal court judge Jody Duggan was expected to take up responsibilities soon.
Transfers of funds between pool fund and bathhouse fund had been made in accordance with approved repairs, Carothers said.
Carothers briefly mentioned the challenges in locating bookkeepers and accountants to assist on a temporary basis; many CPAs no longer do municipality audits, for example, due to their complexity.
Council approved the minutes of Jan. 18, Jan. 25, and Jan. 31 regular and special meetings, and approved payment of invoices.
Present were Mayor Jones and council members Rhea Melton, Fronye Morris, Glenda White and Don Wright. Crystal Leary and Laidy Vasquez were absent. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, at 6 p.m.
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