Duringavariedagenda last Tuesday night that the Spur city council handled with efficiency, perhaps the information most eagerly awaited was an update from the swimming pool committee.
Marcella Bilberry and Kristy Price, two of the committee of five, reported recommendations for manager, lifeguards, and equipment, The committee suggests hiring a minimum of four lifeguards in order to cover multiple shifts; they have talked with several people about the manager job but have no commitments yet. The committee submitted a list of lifeguard supplies to be ordered; to have an AED defibrillator device on hand, they plan to borrow one from Spur ISD. The pool construction manager was expected on site April 17 and 18 for updates. Fundraising events are anticipated, along with a grand opening at the beginning of swimming season. (For more on pool construction, see POOL elsewhere on this page.)
Fire station. An update was also provided on the Spur firehouse, for which concrete driveways were expected to be poured, and for which glass windows would be installed, this week. (See Firehouse update, page 8.) The report submitted by fire chief Wess Abbott noted that construction on the station could be complete “within two weeks if the weather holds.”
Project updates. For Garden Park improvements, Steve Bridges, vice president of the Spur Area Chamber of Commerce, reported that cleanup and tree trimming had begun April 4. Bridges thanked Darla Thomason for providing plantings; the Chamber, which has “adopted” the park, will be adding more. A faucet was located that may be operational and will (Darla Thomason, Marcella Bilberry, Andrew Adams) has made progress in identifying wish-list improvements to be covered by the $1,500 beautification grant from SPEC. All work has to be finished by September, with before and after photos submitted. Thomason reported that the committee has talked with Mr. Ostrander about repair of brick work on planters for both parks; looked at improved lighting for the stage area; and considered adding shade screens for the west side of the bandstand.
Special recognition to council members. Mayor Jones presented plaques to Fronye Morris and Glenda White as tokens of thanks for their service. (See photos, this page.)
Council action. Council approved Kay Stevenson as pool manager at a pay rate of $11 per hour.
EMS coordinator Matt Hindman reported that a hazard mitigation plan had been prepared for FEMA, the culmination of a process that must be undertaken every five years.
Bids on in-trust properties in Spur via Texas Communities Group were approved for parcel R5397 (Carlos Ray Rendon, $487) and parcel R5438 (Kevin Walkup, $355). All three taxing entities must agree for bids to be accepted; Dickens County has already approved; Spur ISD will consider last.
Department reports. For the Police Department, Chief Ramon Golden provided an oral summary of calls between March 19 and April 16 that included no arrests and no citations. Golden said that a sign was being procured to identify the location of the police department for the public. Regarding the patrol officer job opening, Golden said there had been “a lot of people checking the website” about the job but no applications; he plans to make recruiting inquiries regarding the upcoming class of SPAG police academy graduates.
There was no report from the Volunteer Fire Department.
For City Works, manager Chris Cornett reported that parks were mowed, potholes and weeds were addressed, a new gas meter was installed at the hardware store, and the new city technician began work last week. Smart meters for electrical service should be installed starting April 20, he said.
For Code compliance, Barry Ferguson reported learning a great deal at a well attended seminar presented by Texas Communities Group (TCG) in Plainview last month. Ferguson said that he is waiting for five more Spur in-trust properties to go into the TCG bid system. Regarding the status of the disposal pit, Ferguson said he had met with the Dickens County Commission to discuss solutions. Regarding the now-closed Dollar Tree store, after talking with the leaseholder, Broad Stone, he had reason to expect the building will likely sit empty for some time and will ensure the site remains compliant with city codes.
Interim city secretary Ashley Carothers reported that City Hall would be closed May 27 for Memorial Day. The city’s vendor for testing fees will be increasing their charge, she said. Texas Workforce Commission will be holding seminar in Lubbock next month. The GAAP survey was completed, as was training on accepting card payments for city accounts. The FLSRS report was completed. The Spur EDC meeting was rescheduled for April 22.
Carothers said that the city’s beautification grant had scored a 3 and would be advancing.
In other business, minutes of previous meetings of March 15 and March 25, as well as a special meeting of April 25, were considered for approval; bills were considered for payment.
Present for the council were Mayor Louise Jones and council members Elaine Harris, Rhea Melton, Hope Ortiz, Laidy Vasquez, Glenda White and Don Wright.
