Spur City Council had a full slate of issues to discuss on its December 21, 2021 agenda, but nonetheless Mayor Louise Jones made room for some comment from a good-sized audience when opening the floor for long- and short-term visions for the city.
On the regular agenda, council heard via remote phone call the zoning variance request of a Family Dollar representative who said that the chain planned to open a 10,500-square-foot Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combo store at the corner of Hill Street and Willard Avenue. The store would occupy two corner parcels; one of which is zoned commercial but the other still zoned residential. The company has the entire block bounded by 1st St., Keeler Ave., Willard Ave. and Hill St. under contract, and Berry Engineering has designed site plan for entry and traffic with a front entrance on West Hill Street.
Council member Don Wright moved to deny the rezoning request on the grounds that Spur (which has a Dollar General on East Hill Street) does not need another dollar store to pose further competition to existing retail and grocery stores. The Family Dollar representative countered that the addition of a Dollar Tree would offer the community a greater selection of merchandise. The motion failed to attract a second.
A subsequent motion was brought by council member Rhea Melton, to rezone the parcel as requested by Family Dollar. Fronye Morris seconded; the motion carried 5–1 with Wright voting against. Codes enforcement officer John Schmidt took responisbility for following up with proper paperwork regarding the rezoning submitted to the Dickens County.
Council also entertained a presentation by Spur Golf Association representative Woodie McArthur, who said that the association had established by-laws and elected officers.
The SGA proposed to take over management responsibility from longtime manager Mike Day upon his imminent retirement and to gradually purchase maintenance equipment from him, as an alternative to closing the course. Day, who was also present, “has done a great job for not much money,” said McArthur.
Council unanimously approved the request to transfer its contract to the SGA and continue the same level of subsidy. The city attorney will be consulted regarding any required revisions to the contract.
A temporary travel trailer variance for Cruz and Sons was approved, related to three travel trailer spots east of Cruz and Sons at 403 E. 6th St. In light of the anticipated influx of workers in the area working on bitcoin mining and solar energy projects, Cruz said temporary housing would also be needed. Schmidt confirmed that one meter and sewer hookup would be required for the trailer park and that all land under consideration was already zoned commercial.
A 6-month travel trailer variance was also approved for new resident Matthew Gouge, who is in the process of building a house 304 S. 2nd St., in the Freeman addition.
Next on the agenda, disussion was tabled regarding a request for review of provisions of Hotel/Motel (HOT) tax funds, with a question about whether the name(s) of the particular local lodging must be included in the applicant’s advertising. Mayor Jones asked for input from several present in the audience before determining that further study would be warranted; the matter was tabled.
Council reappointed Woodie McArthur and Steve Elliott as directors of the White River Municipal Water District board. McArthur reported on a visit with WRMWD manager Shane Jones, who anticipated scheduling an open house and tour for member city council s in March or April. “You need to come out there and see where your money’s going,” said McArthur, who praised new construction projects.
Council next considered a change in the appointment of a new municipal court judge, with recent hire Geryn Leyendecker reconsidering the post and tendering her resignation. Council accepted the resignation and then approved hiring Spur resident Jody Duggan for the post. Duggan, who does not hold law qualifications, said that he would look forward to training sessions to prepare himself for service.
Next on the agenda was discussion of a bid on the Spur Pool bathhouse work from Handyman Service. Council member Glenda White reported that Handyman contractor Robert Delacruz had submitted an itemized list of suggested improvements, including Plexiglass covering over open window grilles and application of moisture-resistant epoxy paint on interior, and said she was “impressed with what he wants to do.” Council approved the $20,890 total bid with a with a contingency figure of $22,397, which will be covered by already designated funds.
Council also approved a bid of $1,580 from David Baxter for replacement of the front window of the Spur Police Department headquarters; approved a bid of $11,840 from R. W. Shelton Sservices for repair of the cathodic protection system on 6th Street; and passed an adminsitrative amendment to a previous decision regarding consolidation of city checking accounts, with 11 city accounts to remain active and all others consolidated.
In department reports, chief of police Billy R. Spears reported 24 calls for service in November, involving three (3) 9-1-1 calls, one (1) harassment, one (1) sexual assault, four (4) welfare checks, one (1) trespassing, two (2) domestic violence, one (1) citizens’ complaint, two (2) agency assist, one (1) burglary in progress, one (1) assault, one (1) warrant service (another jurisdiction), one (1) injury to elderly, one (1) unwanted person, four (4) miscellaneous information. These calls produced seven (7) criminal offenses, nine (9) total cases, three (3) warrant arrests, three (3) search warrants and a total of six (6) arrests.
Fire chief Wess Abbott thanked those who attended the department Christmas party and reported “quite an uptick in calls” recently, with 15 calls since November, including one structure fire, several vehicle fires, and several grass fires. Abbott reported the department had revised its Bylaws and updated protocols, and he reported on several equipment grants for which the department might be eligible. The Spur VFD planned to helping with distribution of Santa Red & Blue donations on Dec. 24, Abbott reported.
For public works, Chris Cornett reported the department had installed Christmas lights and worked on streets during the previous month. The anticipated part for completing work on the lift station has not yet arrived, Cornett said, but was expected soon.
For codes compliance, John Schmidt reported letters of non-compliance issued; report of numerous cats roaming, received; report of mistreatment of puppies on Carroll Avenue, received; donation to city of a property facing unpaid taxes, considered; address of 201 Burlington Avenue address assigned to old Mission Service Station.
For City of Spur, Ashley Carothers reported that $881.00 had been collected in court fees; Zoom meetings and in-person court hearings are active, Judge Matthews was expected back in court Dec. 20.
City Hall offices would be closed for New Year’s holiday on December 31, said Carothers.
Carthoers reported several transfers of funds: $11,000 from Covid relief fund to General fund; $29,975 to the Spur Economic Development Corporation for payment of roof on Spur Senior Citizens Center; and $1,900 for bathhouse renovation.
Carothers also reported that she and city clerk Katie Tiede will be out for training for several days in January; thtat Tiede’s on-the-job training was continunig; that Dorado Construction was set to begin work on the sewer lift station January 3; and that an election notice to file had been posted at City Hall. Carothers said that she had been working on financial reporting, but suggested hiringa bookkeeper or accountant for help.
In closing, Major Jones invited brief input from the floor on future plans for Spur. As for her own goals, Jones said, she would like to see paving of all city streets with residences. “The main things,” she said, “are water, sewer, and streets.”
Ideas that were briefly mentioned included refurbishment of holiday decorations stored in the city barn, possibly with collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce on this and other future projects. Mayor Pro Tem Glenda White suggested that “We want to keep our fire department on the radar,” in light of its long-term wish for a new firehouse. Kay Ellington suggested that a Texas Film Friendly designation would be useful to the Spur-Dickens-Guthrie corridor in light of recent TV projects.
Jones commented that it was the appropriate function of a Chamber of Commerce to “go out and connect with enterprises” and to “bring business into the city” in addition to hosting social functions and local markets.
The city’s bond attorney, she commented, is looking into a way to fund municipal improvements without a bond issue.
After council approved minutes of previous meetings and payment of invoice, the meeting was adjourned. Present in addition to Jones and Carothers and city staffers were council members Crystal Leary, Rhea Melton, Fronye Morris, Laidy Vasquez, Glenda White and Don Wright.
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