In its regular monthly meeting of Tuesday, Sept. 22, Spur City Council handled a lengthy agenda, which included revised ordinances regarding utility tap fees and animal control, in about an hour and a half. Personnel matters on the agenda were postponed until a special meeting of Sept. 24, when those scheduled to speak could be present.
In addition to adopting its fiscal year 2022–23 budget and a 2022 tax rate of 1.1976, council read and approved ordinances related to these matters.
The text of all ordinances is published elsewhere in this issue of The Texas Spur in accordance with public notice requirements.
Ordinance No. 718, relating to water, sewer and gas tap fees, institutes a major change affecting new residential and commercial utility customers. Fees for each installation will be increasing threefold—from $500 to $1,500 for a residential water line tap, for instance— due to increased parts and labor costs that can no longer be borne by the city.
“The meter cost far exceeds the city fee,” said Spur mayor Louise Jones. “Equipment and hours are running $2,000 to $2,500.” This figure was confirmed by city works director Chris Cornett. Water parts such as meters that used to cost the city approximately $200 have gone up to around $1,200; on sewer parts, which have become scarce, prices have often been raised. Gas meters previously running $300 are up to $1,400.
Increased fees will appy to residential and commercial water lines inside and outside the city limits; residential and commercial sewer lines inside and outside the city; and natural gas lines inside and outside city limits.
Outside of city limits, taps will be available only to properties in sufficient proximity to existing supply pipes.
These fees apply in situations whereneworreplacement meters are being installed, according to city secretary Ashley Carothers, not where there are already existing meters in working order. The city also took the step— welcome to many citizens—of hiring an animal control officer. Duties of animal control will be added to those of city technician Joe Gutierrez on a contract basis, and Gutierrez will work (with local law enforcement as backup) toward better control of stray and dangerous animals and enforcement of the new ordinance. With regard to the new animal control ordinance No. 717, the city declined to have a licensing requirement for pets, as it lacks staff to administer tagging and enforcement of such a measure. Council did emphasize that state law requires rabies vaccination of animals over 4 months old; owners must be able to show a current rabies tag if proof is required. The city removed cats from the list of animals that would be impounded.
Spur ISD class project for Dyess Park enhancements approved. Under the direction of Spur ISD teacher Myles Hammack, who has recently secured funding for a school greenhouse and used it this year in teaching horticulture, 6th and 12th grade students researched and created a proposal to landscape, beautify, and add recreational and educational elements to the city’s Dyess Park. As a visible landmark in Spur along Highway 70, students explained, the park could be made more useful and attractive by the addition of plants and flowers that relate to the history and culture of existing monuments such as the Giant Spur and the Quanah Parker Trail arrow marker. Interpretive markers would be crafted in English and Spanish, providing an educational tool as well. Council voted to approve the project and also offered to explore installation of water lines for irrigation.
Action on RV/Travel Trailer parksandvariances. Council took several actions related to siting of RV parks within the City of Spur. A request for a variance for an RV park at 303 S. 2nd St. by property owner Fareeza Darcy was withdrawn at Darcy’s request. Darcy then requested a temporary placement of a travel trailer in residential area at 303 S. 2nd St. Although there is already an RV unit parked on the site, as no utilities have been connected yet, council declined the request until utilities are connected.
Regarding a previously granted temporary travel trailer variance from Robert Rosilez, at Rosilez’ request the city rescinded that request and granted a request for a variance on a Sterly Avenue property instead. Rosiliez, who said he could get water and power from his neighbor, had in any case applied for a utility tap that was scheduled for installation the following day. Regarding a previously granted travel trailer park variance for Carlos Barrera at 3rd and Parker, council rescinded the variance as the owner has sold the property.
Discussion regarding possible demolition of buildings.
Council noted three structures in Spur deemed to be immediate threats to safety, and for which the city would have to budget expense of demolition. The following properties are not in tax delinquincy, council said, but are dangerous:
• 223 E. 5th St., owner Maria
Lester (deceased)
• 307 S. 3rd St. Lots 56 Block 10, Freeman Addition, owner John Ford, Jr.
• 216-218 N. Keeler Ave., lots 4-7 Block 9 OTS, owner Luis Sanchez No action was taken, pending consultation with the city attorney.
In other business, a request by the Spur ISD Senior Class for a waiver of the Commuity Center rental fee was granted. The group plans a hamburger supper on Oct. 6 to raise money for senior class trip. The group was reminded of their responsibilities for key pickup and event cleanup.
The annual cost-sharing agreement between City of Spur and Dickens County Spur Public Library was approved The official ballot for TM Health Benefits Pool Board of Trustees election was approved.
Department reports were presented, with Chris Cornett confirming that work on the sewer lift station work has been completed, but the fence around it needs minor repair. Once a surge protector on equipment, and all will be operational, and the facility passed its inspection. The White River Municipal Water District has scheduled a “burnout” of chlorine to kill any growth in lines, Oct. 20.
For the Spur Police Department, officer Taylor Howerton reported 54 calls for the month of August, with no new felony cases initiated. Codes enforcement noted, among other items, that the Family Dollar building had undertaken weed control, and that a squatter in the 500 block of Franklin Avenue had moved to a different house on the street. City secretary Carothers reported that she was still conducting training for clerk Linda Alexander and that they had been creating new accounts in the FundView system and had obtained an extension for completion until Sept. 26.
Cornett and Carothers have collaborated in drafting reports of Railroad Comission violations, Carothers said.
The next regularly council is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18.
A transfer of $4,003.92 in county donations to the Spur Volunteer Fire Department was requested and approved.
Present were Mayor Louise Jones and council members Rhea Melton, Fronye Morris, April Ortiz, Glenda White and Don Wright. Council member Laidy Vasquez was absent.
Personnel matters. Item #25 on the Sept. 22 agenda, executive session, was tabled; in rescheduled action Sept. 25, the council motioned to give police chief Billy Spears 90 days to “get the housing situation under control with the satisfaction from the landlord” and codes compliance officer Clinton Stinson 30 days to “get in compliance with his property.”
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