BARBARA BRANNON | THE TEXAS SPUR
Requests for zoning variances to accommodate RV/ travel trailer parks have blossomed in Spur lately—and city council halted full approvals, pending further study and planning. At its regular monthly meeting August 16, 2022, council dealt with one previously tabled request and considered three more, which it also tabled. In delaying action, Spur Mayor Louise Jones explained that city staff and council were planning a workshop to draft an ordinance specific to RV/ travel trailer parks. (As of this report, the workshop has not yet been scheduled, said city secretary Ashley Carothers, but an agenda will be posted when it is.) In light of this development, provisional acceptance for an RV Park on Highwy 70 adjacent to the Mesquite Inn was granted to Ruby Hooten, who brought her contractor, Robert Delacruz, to address questions. Hooten plans for 18 RV spots and a laundry room for patrons, with access off Highway 70. The work would be done in two phases, first to develop RV spots with a covered top, then add concrete slabs. Council member Rhea Melton said that sufficient space would be needed for vehicle parking as well. City Secretary Ashley Carothers explained that because the site is already within commercial zoning, no canvass of adjacent property owners had been done. Council member Glenda White moved to accept Hooten’s plan with a stipulation that it will follow forthcoming zoning ordinances, to be determined. Council member Laidy Vazquez seconded the motion, which passed with 6 votes for, none against, 1 abstention.
Council tabled a request by property owners Bryan and Metessa Thomas to allow an RV Park at 708 Calvert Ave., Lots 1 & 2 and 401 Parker Ave., North Half of Lot 7, which are already set up with eletrical meters. One lot is situated across from school tennis court, with 4 meters present (installed by Byrd Electric) where a schoolteacher formerly had a double-wide on the site; the other is also situated within residential zoning. Council directed that canvass of adjacent property owners be conducted.
Regarding property owner Neel Sanghi’s request to locate an RV park at the corner of Miller and 6th St., Block, 16 Lots 12,13 and 14, council tabled the matter pending the above mentioned workshop.
Sanghi proposed 12 or 14 sites on his 3 lots, which he said has plenty of room for emergency vehicle access, when combined with his other lots in the area. Sanghi asked if there would be any objection to his plan once the ordinance is passed, council members replied that they were not in a position to judge this question.
Council granted Sanghi a temporary 6-month variance for placement of travel trailer in a residential area at 523 W. 6th St. This lot is his personal residence, Sanghi explained, but his RV may move to a different lot, to house his contractor, master electrician Robert Rosillos, whom he introduced to the council.
Council also granted Sanghi’s request to construct a Bathhouse/ Laundry Room/Storm Shelter on his property at 523 W. 6th St., which he affirmed was for personal and not business use.
The request for a potential RV Park for Fareeza Darcy located at 303 S. 2nd St. was removed from the agenda, as was a temporary variance to place a travel trailer in a residential area at the same address.
Property tax rate. City secretary Carothers walked the council through a worksheet with the proposed tax rate for next year, which indicated that in light of the no-new-revenue rate of 1.15568, the proposed rate would be 1.19876, the maximum without triggering an election (this will generate almost 3% more revenue). Councilunanimouslyapproved the 1.19876 tax rate, for presentation at a public hearing to be scheduled for September.
Other business. Council voted to hire the firm of Scott Northam, CPA, PC, to conduct its financial audit. Company represnetative Tony Fidelio, whowaspresent,saidhewould begin getting acquainted with the city’s books as soon as approval was secured. The matter of a rate increase request from SOS Waste remained on the table, as no company representative was present. Council passed a resolution (#681) allowing right of passage for the annual Spur Ex-Students Association Homecoming parade, in preparation for seeking permission from TxDOT to temporarily close Burlington Avenue (a state highway) for the parade, scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, October 8, 2022.
Council briefly discussed the question of a Resource Officer for Spur ISD. According to Spur Police Chief Billy Spears, the school wants to split cost of resource officer for 169 school days plus special events. The matter was tabled pending a chance to talk with school board about expectations.
Department Reports. For the police department, Chief Spears reported 41 calls for service in July, one new arrest, and the addition new felony case and made one arrest. Asked whether any existing felony cases been dealt with, Spears responded that action was waiting on a grand jury to be called. There was no report from the Spur Volunteer Fire Department.
City Director of Public Works Chris Cornett noted calls for service and routine work, and working on a water line break at that moment. Leak protection services would be in town August 22 to check for gas leaks, Cornett said. For codes compliance, Clinton Stnson said that letters of non-compliance had been sent out. For municipal court, clerk Ashley Carothers reported $253 in fines collected; zoom and in-person meetings are active; and the judge would be in the office August 17. Monday, September 5, will be a city holiday for Labor Day, said Carothers. In her city secretary capacity Carothers reviewed financials. New processes were preventing funds from being transferred in and out of grants at present, she said. Accountant Tony Fidelio recommended setting up investment pool account as a possible solution.
Carothers reported handling one FOIA request, and working on utility billing. The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Approval of in-trust property bids. Council approved bids previously made via Texas Communities Group for Tax Deed R4655 ($2,131), R4714 ($3,450), R4734 ($901) R4925 ($2,250), and R5277 ($1,000) for in-trust property located within the City of Spur. Council then met in executive session to discuss personnel matters. Following the closed session, council approved removal of probation period for a city technician position. After approving minutes of the previous meeting and payment of invoices, the meeting was adjourned.
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