City council discusses Buford Park grant, dump truck purchase

The Sulphur Springs city council met on the evening of July 11 to discuss several items of business. The meeting convened at 7:01 p.m. after a previous executive session. 

Presentations and Proclamations

Council member Jay Julian announced that he would like to remind citizens that both the city of Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Economic Development corporation have revolving loan funds for micro-businesses. The EDC loan amounts to $25,000 for businesses and interested parties may contact the EDC for terms and conditions. 

Application for a grant to improve Buford Park

City finance director Lesa Smith presented a possible $750,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The city wishes to use the grant to build the Brightstar Baseball field as well as rehab two of the girls softball fields. Smith stated Brightstar Baseball will contribute $200,000 they have raised, and the city is required to match $550,000. No citizens shared comments. The city authorized city manager Marc Maxwell to act as their representative when applying for the grant.

Manager’s Report

Maxwell gave the manager’s report at the council session. He reported that:

• The Senior Citizen Center is waiting on a steel shipment. Meanwhile, fire department turnarounds and onsite drainage are under construction  
• Pacific Park is nearly completed and held a ribbon cutting. The city still needs to add additional parking on MLK Drive, as well as remove of the old basketball courts. 
• Water and sewer are under construction on College Street. Construction crews are now moving toward Como Street and Patton Street headed south
• Inflation ratings for June will be released on July 12

Smith gave a report on June expenditures. She reported that:

• Year to year expenses for June were not significantly different, although growth was up 
• Sales tax was down 10.9% in June, or approximately $79,000. The city remains on an upward trend for the year overall in sales tax
• The state completed an audit collection of $40,058  

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

Annual budget ordinance

The council passed Ordinance 2832, the 2022-2023 annual budget. 

Rezoning on College Street

The council approved Ordinance 2833, a request by Collyn Seth McDaniel to rezone property located at 928 College Street and 934 College street which abuts Putman Street and contains 1.73 acres. Council member Gary Spraggins asked clarifying questions about where the property lay and McDaniel presented a slideshow about the property to the council. McDaniel detailed the renovations and refurbishments he and his father have completed in town. The property was rezoned from single family to multifamily and was previously affirmed by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) in April and May. The item will come before council for its second reading at the regular August meeting. 

Special use permit process

Community development director Tory Niewiadomski presented that since May, the city staff have been investigating ways to make the special use permit process more efficient. Niewiadomski stated his research shows that special use permits are largely approved by city council in other communities. 

Niewiadomski said he has also identified key areas in the permitting process that could be standardized such as fencing, lighting, dumpsters and more. He recommended that P&Z further refine standards during upcoming meetings. 

“We want to tighten it up because right now it’s the wild west,” Maxwell added. “We need standards so we know what is going to pass and what isn’t.” 

Mayor John Sellers questioned what, then, would be the role of the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Niewiadomski clarified that ZBA is for variances and administrative appeals. 

The council approved P&Z to further investigate the special use permit process. 

Purchasing dump trucks

Utilities director James Jordan presented that the city will not be purchasing a specific 15-yard dump truck they previously researched. Jordan stated this is because the truck is located in Canada and has too many associated taxes and fees. The city will turn to the next-highest bidder, Southwest International, to continue their search for a 15-yard dump truck. Jordan believes the arrival of such a dump truck could be as late as next year. Jordan assured the council Southwest International is located in Texas.

Other

The council authorized the consent agenda which included: June 6, 2023;the Economic Development Corporation meeting minutes of May 22, 2023; Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals meeting minutes of February 21, 2023; Downtown Revitalization Board meeting minutes of March 21, 2023; Planning and Zoning meeting minutes of April 17, 2023; 380 agreements for 626A Putman Steet, 626B Putman Street, 627 Putinan Street, 630 Putman Street, 307 W. Beckham Street. 309 W. Beckham Street, 322 MLK Dr. Street, 324 MLK Dr. Street, 612 Lamar Street. 1229 Texas Street, 1006 N. Jackson Street, 101 W. Ross Street, 620 Whitworth Street. 641 League Street and 700 Carter Street.

The council unanimously authorized Bell & Park to act as auditors in fiscal year 2022-2023 for the cost of $17,000

Citizen comments

No citizens presented themselves for comment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. 

By Taylor Nye