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City affirms decision to ban E. Shannon parking

City affirms decision to ban E. Shannon parking
  • PublishedDecember 10, 2021


Interstate 30 in Sulphur Springs/ via Elevation MapLogs

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The Sulphur Springs city council discussed a no-parking zone, among other items of business at the regular Dec. 7 council session. Following an executive session at 6:30 p.m. regarding economic development corporation codename Project Superman, the council convened at 7 p.m. 

OLD BUSINESS

The city swore in Natalie Darrow as city secretary and Nate Smith as city attorney [see related story]

During presentations, proclamations and announcements, council member Oscar Aguilar, who is also the president of the Hopkins County Rodeo Association, thanked all who had attended the UPRA (United Professional Rodeo Association) show last month at the Hopkins County Civic Center. 

City manager Marc Maxwell gave the manager’s report. He reported on construction projects. Council member Jay Julian and finance director Lesa Smith discussed inflation [see related story]

No action was taken on the manager’s report, as none is required. 

The council unanimously passed their consent agenda.

The following 380 agreements were approved unanimously:

  • 307 W. Beckham St. 
  • 309 W. Beckham St. 
  • 311 W. Beckham St. 
  • 312 W. Beckham St. 
  • Fuller and Como (Parcel R3911)
  • 207 Calvert St. 

[See related story]

The council then moved on to a second hearing for an ordinance to create a no parking zone between South Broadway to Mockingbird Lane on the south service road, provided it is approved by TxDOT. With no further discussion, it passed unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS

The council discussed their appointment to the Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors [see related story]

The council then discussed the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council and settlement participation. Maxwell stated the council had previously discussed this during their executive session. 

Per the Texas attorney general, a lawsuit settlement against Johnson & Johnson and Perdue Pharma is being disbursed to cities and counties in Texas that have been affected by the opioid crisis. 

Moore inquired how much Sulphur Springs was slated to receive, and Maxwell stated the amount was $150,000. The council unanimously approved the settlement fund. 

The council then discussed the Wood Creek development and the 380 policy [see related story].


The council then unanimously authorized a bid for a 1,007-acre agricultural land lease on the former Thermo Coal Mine property, by Jonah Massey for $62 an acre. 

Massey was the highest of seven bidders, Smith noted, and will pay the city $62,434 total annually. Massey’s lease term will run from Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022.

Previously, the city leased 959 acres to an unnamed cattle company for $19 an acre for a total of $18,221 annually. Their lease will expire Dec. 31, 2021. 

The council unanimously affirmed KSBR as their firm to prepare application materials on behalf of the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center for a $1.5 million grant from the Community Resiliency Program [see related story]

There were no developments regarding the 6:30 p.m. executive session. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Citizen Jeanne Perkins officially announced the grand reopening of Main Street Theater, January 14 and 15 of 2022. Brad Davis and Joel Wheeler will perform, and carriage rides and refreshments will be available.  

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

By Taylor Nye. Abbi Beggs contributed to this report.

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Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.