The City Council met in regular session on Monday night, November 7, where they discussed several items.
Before they addressed their regular agenda, County Commissioners Woody Lindsey and Ray Marion were in attendance and updated the Council on the progress the Commissioners Court had made in the abatement and demolition of the Civic Center building in Denver City.
Commissioner Lindsey informed the Council during their regular meeting earlier in the day they had hired a consultant to review bids for the work and then be instrumental in approving these bids and hiring a company for both the abatement and demolition of the building. Lindsey went on to say the Court would be approving these bids at their next meeting on Monday, November 14.
Mayor Tommy Hicks informed the Commissioners they would have the Council’s blessing on their decision with the bids and then thanked both Commissioners and Judge Jim Barron for the work the Court had done on the project.
The total cost of the project, which will be completed in a 30-35-day period would be an estimated $125,000, well below the original anticipated $500,000. The County and the City have joined ownership of the building which at one time served as the DCISD Elementary building.
During the announcement portion of the meeting Councilman Clinton Bowman thanked Public Works Director Dave Tedford for the work he had done on north Avenue B to help control flooding in that area of town. He said a resident of that area, Sandra Roblez, had told him it was much improved over how it had been in the past and was much better during the recent rains.
Moving on to the regular agenda the two items that consumed most of the time during the meeting was to consider an offer from Stakeholder Midstream for right-of-way interest in Section 834 and to consider an ordinance regulating the use of golf carts on public streets.
In a prepared letter submitted to City Manager Stan David representatives JC Cornett and Michael Rodriquez had determined that it was necessary to acquire a pipeline right-of-way necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a crude oil pipeline and appurtenant facilities for the San Andres Crude Oil Gather System Project across a portion of the property owned by the City of Denver City.
The land in question is approximately six miles west of Denver City where the city has their city water wells that provide water to the city.
The letter went on to say the Stakeholder Midstream they would offer $16,185 for approximate 323.7 rods (1 rod is equal to 16 ½ feet) to fully compensate the City of the Right-of-Way Interests and damages, if any, to the Cities remaining property. This offer equates to $50 per rod or $1,650 per acre.
This lead to a lengthy discussion between Council members where they voiced their concern over the proposed pipeline being too close to city water wells. Councilman Robert Hanneman also said he felt like $50 per rod was too low of an offer.
After more discussion, the Council unanimously voted to table this item until Cornett and Rodriquez could get with Public Works Director Dave Tedford to look at the proposed pipeline and exactly how close it would be to the water wells.
Concerning the golf cart ordinance City Manager David told the Council there was a Denver City citizen that uses their golf cart to get to place in towns since they are unable to drive a vehicle. He went on to say that this individual was recently given a citation by a DPS officer for driving the cart on the street.
“Some cities have passed ordinances that allow golf carts on streets, with restrictions,” David said. “I have given you a draft of an ordinance that would be very similar to others I have looked at.”
David went on to say there are several things that change from town to town like required driver’s license or some sort of a required driving permits.
“The main reason for this ordinance would be to allow individuals the ability to get around that are not able to navigate otherwise,” David continued. “Allowing for that without having golf carts everywhere is the goal.”
Once again there was a lengthy discussion where several Councilman offered their ideas on what should be included in the ordinance.
David encouraged each Council member to come by his office with their suggestions on what should be included in the ordinance. The Council then unanimously voted to table this item until the next Council meeting.
In another item David informed the Council that he had recently visited with TxDOT representatives about safety concerns at the intersection of US Highway 83 and State Highway 214, which is at the east end of Broadway where the new Pizza Hut had recently opened.
David noted they discussed the last traffic study that was done and what options the City might have going forward. However, David did say this study was done before the Pizza Hut or the new Stripes had been opened and there would probably be new concerns since the opening of these two stores.
Councilman Mark Sherman said his biggest concern was coming off the Y or Santa Fe Drive and trying to make it across 214 to enter Stripes.
“It’s kind of scary at times, especially when you are trying to enter the Stripes parking area from the north entrance,” Sherman said.
David said one solution could be highway warning signs placed before entering the city limits on the south side of town, but he thought lowering the speed limit in that area would be the best solution.
The Council then directed David to get back with the state requesting the signs and lowering the speed limit from the south city limits to the north city limits to 45 mph.
The Council also unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Municipal Court Week.
And in the last item the Council approved the purchase of two new garbage trucks. During the work budget sessions, the Council had set aside funds for the purchase of these two trucks. The Council unanimously approved the purchase of two Freightliner trucks with Champion body style for $170,00 each. The purchase will be from the state buy board.
The Council then went into Executive Session where they heard a report from City Attorney Warren New.
After coming out of Executive Session a motion was made to approve the payment of bills that totaled $140,412.66.
Council members Joan Breith, Ronald Weir, Robert Hanneman, Clinton Bowman, Mark Sherman, and Keith Mensch along with Mayor Tommy Hicks were all in attendance.
The next meeting will be on Monday, November 21 starting at 7 pm at the City Hall.
