BARBARABRANNON | THE TEXAS SPUR
Continuing our followup of Spur City Council action in its regular meeting of Monday, Nov. 19, several project updates and department reports were presented.
Regarding planned landscaping improvements to Rickels Park, Mayor Louise Jones reported that although recent rains had slowed things down, all grass and weeds have been removed, and plans are for crushed rock to go into the ground spaces as a xeriscape. The city has expended about $3,000 so far on labor, from the total grant fund of $50,000.
Swenson Park swimming pool manager Kay Stephenson provided an update on off-season maintenance, which she reminded those present is a year-round job. On the bathhouse, a plumber was hired to replace sink in women’s restroom and replace a faulty toilet, but these tasks have not yet been done; a shower leak has also not been fixed yet.. “Everything else is in good shape,” Stephenson said.
Regarding the pool deck, although the pool cover is “working great,” with a tarp pump to clears rain puddles off it, wind has damaged the windscreen tarp, and the fence is leaning in badly where fence construction was never completed. Wind and water damage needs to be addressed, said Stephenson.
As for insulation of the pump house, sprayfoaming was completed on the ceiling of the pump house but at the bottom, the flashing is not sealing completely. One of the pumps is leaking and needs to be winterized, said Stephenson. There was no police
report presented. For the Spur Fire Department, Fire Chief Matt Hindman reported that an ISO audit coming up in regarding water and fire hydrants. The department would like to meet with city to determine a policy for public use of the firehouse. The department applied for two U.S. Forest Service grants for a brush truck and has been awarded both grants.
For public works, City Secretary Ashley Carothers reported for Chris Cornett, who was on vacation. A water leak at 6th and Hill was taken care of. Weed-eating, chlorine burnout of water supply pipes, patching potholes, and attending training were activities reported.
For codes compliance, Barry Ferguson reported that the city accepting bids for a new disposal pit and would like to extend notice for two more weeks (no action was taken on this matter); the bid period ends Dec. 10, 2024.
Ferguson said he had contacted TCEQ and SPAG for information regarding allocation of state TCEQ funds, as SPAG will begin allocating grants in 2025.
The city had received and addressed a complaint about truck parking and running all night at Family Dollar, said Ferguson.
Three properties were sold on a real estate company foreclosure, at 801 E.2nd Street; on W. 3rd street; and 1020 W. Harris Street.
A complaint was being addressed regarding some contents from an empty house in the 500 block of Keeler Avenue blowing around the property.
Ferguson said that the city was in need of an improved RV ordinance (other than its existing ordinance regarding established RV parks), to address matters of absentee owners, how to keep up with city charges for lot maintenance and charge them to owners, so that personnel could be hired to take care of these problems.
In the city secretary’s report, Ashley Carothers noted that November 28 and 29 were set as Thanksgiving holidays.
She also said that staff had undergone SOM Mobile Orders training for the new smart water meters, which had already been very beneficial. She noted the cost for an incident alerting module, if the city were to contract for it: $900 plus a one-time training fee of $500.
Carothers attended webinar Nov. 2 on City Manager Perspective. Wastewater training was conducted on Nov. 5. Master meter wastraining completed.
On Nov. 20, Carothers and council member Rhea Melton were scheduled to attend the Texas CDBG regional stakeholder meeting.
The Texas Municipal League audit report was submitted.
The next regularly scheduled city council is December Dec. 17, 2024.
Present Nov. 19 were Mayor Louise Jones; council members Elaine Harris, Landon Hinson, Rhea Melton, Kristy Price Laidy Vasquez and Don Wright; city secretary Ashley Carothers; Barry Ferguson for Codes Compliance; and city attorney Courtney White.
