In an unseasonably warm February 2024 that’s already broken heat records for Texas, those present at Spur’s Feb. 20 regular city council meeting cheered Galaxy Digital’s announcement that a contract would be let for the Swenson Park Swiming Pool project upon council’s approval.
A compensation agreement between the City of Spur and Galaxy Digital that documents “in writing that the City of Spur will not be out a penny,” according to Galaxy project manager Jonathan Gabel, was approved unanimously after brief discussion.
A separate construction agreement between Galaxy and its selected contractor, Zodiac Outdoor Living of Sanger, Texas, was also approved unanimously.
Mayor Louise Jones said that the city’s attorney, Matt Wade, had vetted the arrangement. The city is entering into the pair of contracts so that rights and title to the property remain with the city, while Galaxy’s Gabel will oversee the work and take responsibility for payment to the contractor will send the bills to Galaxy.
“We [the city] have some say-so” in minor modifications to the design that was finalized last year, if needed; changes have already been incorporated for a diving board and slide, and deep and shallow areas, per requests from the city in last year’s meeting.
Galaxy representative Barbara Bogart said that tentative plans were for a Memorial Day 2024 opening.
Earlier in the agenda, council approved a request from Spur VFD chief Wess Abbott for the fire department to dispose of some older items that did not need to be moved to the new headquarters, by auction.
was presented by accountant Tony Fidelio. “No major items were caught,” said Fidelio, as had been the case in prior years, before more careful recordkeeping was instituted. Fidelio’s firm issued an unmodified opinion, indicating no material errors that would cause an adverse opinion.
Theaccountantexplained that the city’s unrestricted funds shrank in 2022 while restricted (grant) funds continued to come in. “You got hit hard in 2022 for commodities and spent more due to inflation,” he said.
With Type B funds that don’t allow as much flexibility as Type A, Fidelio said, the city is “essentially funding the expenses through the water fund” and that the water fund is “really doing the heavy lifting at the moment.” Council moved to accept the audit report; the motion passed unanimously.
Infrastructure grant application. A resolution was passed to authorize application to the Texas Water Development Board for an infrastructure grant. As consultants recognized the city’s “urgent need for construction of improvements for city water system,” council gave permission to apply for a grant not to exceed $4,045,000 for planning, design and construction.
Police Department report.
Chief Ramon Golden asked permission to apply for a Community Facilities Direct Loan Grant for two new patrol vehciles. The grant is a 75/25 match for a total of approximately $131,000 for two vehicles. If the application were successful for two units, the city would be responsible for approximately $32,000.
Golden explained that the city’s 2016 Ford Explorer has almost reached the end of its customary duty cycle, and that a second department vehicle is a civilian model unsuited for police work. He recommends a Dodge Durango pursuit vehicle, with a four-month delivery.
Mayor Pro Tem Rhea Melton moved that the city apply for the grant for two vehicles. The motion passed unanimously.
City’s cost for containers at roll-off site. Council approved the rental of two more 30-yard roll-offs at a cost of $100/unit delivery plys $345 transport, with the total cost to be divided by city, county, and school (with the city portion being $417 of a $1,184) total. Once the city burn pit came under restrictions from TCEQ, said Mayor Jones, “we don’t have a choice” on this, without risking an increase in illegal dumping, Emergency abatement for properties. The city approved abatements for materials atcondemnedbuildings located at 1202 W. 3rd Street and 705 Parker Avenue. If any material has to go into the pit, these materials must be abated, explained code compliance manager Barry Ferguson, who said that the city’s cost might be offset by “some parties involved” that may be salvaging materials for private profit.
A tiny house application was approved for Annette Cantu at 209 W. 5th Street, where Ferguson said the owner is tearing the existing house down and intends to put tiny house there. A council motion to that effect passed unanimously.
An oral report was given by Police Chief Golden and will be included the Texas Spur when a written document is provided. Golden also reported that the speed-detection radar had been tested and calibrated and is in working order, allowing speeding citations to be issued.
The fire chief’s report was read by Mayor Jones. Spur VFD tested storm sirens Feb. 19 and said that the eastside siren was working;the west-wide siren was not working but the problem has since been rectified. The backup siren atop City Hall may have been tampered with, and the issue warrants further investigation.
There was no report from
public works
as Chris Cornett was out sick.
Acting city secretary Ashley Carothers reported that Municipal Court met January 17 for codes violation summons; Judge Duggan granted violators extended time for attention, until February 27.
Spur’s Family Dollar/ Dollar Tree store has met requirements for an alcohol sales permit.
Property violations on mowing will soon start back up, as spring approaches.
Online bidding on seven in-trust properties (unsold at the December 5 sheriff’s sale) is going on via the Texas Communities Group online through mid-March.
Several other administrative matters remained on the agenda at the end of this reporting and will be included in next month’s city council coverage.
