seymour_cc_may_meetings 5-21-06

4.
Discuss, Consider and Take action upon the proposed Ordinance and Notice of Restriction of deed regarding site protection requirements for City Park area, to protect storm water mitigation and flood control efforts, as requested by TXDOT.

Mayor Craighead and CA Shephard explained that this is a request for the Council to, in theory, approve an Ordinance stating that the City Park will remain the City Park in the future, it will not be sold to developers, nor will the use of the park land be altered. The State of Texas is going to plant some vegetation and take some other efforts to mitigate the storm water problems of Seymour creek. In exchange, we agree that we will not be ‘undoing’ this work by developing the area for some new use.

The Corp of Engineers and TXDOT should be providing City Staff with the correct wording of the required Ordinance if Council chooses to approve this plan, then the ‘final form’ of this amending Ordinance can be drafted and brought to Council on a future consent agenda.

Motion:

Motion by Councilman Coltharp, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest, to approve the request of TXDOT regarding the drafting of and approval of an amending Ordinance and Notice of Restriction of deed regarding site protection requirements for City Park area, to protect storm water mitigation and flood control efforts, as requested by TXDOT.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

5.
Discuss, Consider and take action upon request of citizen Nancy Markham for the City of Seymour to participate in the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified Retirement Community program.

Ms. Markham explained that she found out about this program as she was surfing the Internet. She brought it to Baylor County Judge James D. ‘Butch’ Coltharp who suggested that she bring it to City Council for consideration as possibly a joint effort. There is a $5,000 fee to join. However, this is refundable if we do not qualify for the program. This program is to attract retirees to our city. It is for people like me and the Fest family, who want to retire in a fully-functional community. They will help us to market ourselves to the retirees. Texas has many ‘draws’ regarding marketing to retirees. I’d like to see some real investigation of this before rejecting it. We can, at a minimum, monitor the first cities that join and see if they are successful in their endeavors.

Mayor Craighead notes that there is quite a large amount of paperwork involved in this application. He recommends tabling the issue until the Council members can read the entire booklet and make a more informed decision.

Motion:

Motion to table request of Nancy Markham for the City of Seymour to participate in the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified Retirement Community program, motion by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest.

Vote on the Motion:
passes unanimously.

6.
Discuss options for next Texas Community Development Grant application cycle – including options for restoration work to water tower on North Washington, or water well ‘tie-in’ project for the Compress area wells.

Mayor Craighead and CA Shephard discuss the fact that Street projects are now an option under these TCDP grants. They will probably score higher on the regional level than on the state level. However, the problem with the water tower renovation is that it would be considered maintenance. It would not, therefore, be approved. The only way the water tower would be approved would be if the project was to completely replace the current water tower. This would entail more cost than the grant would be able to provide, therefore, the City would be investing far more money. Another project to ‘tie-in’ wells would score well as a water project, however, it also would be expensive. To submit a project for streets – first we’d be required to return to our outdated street plan, part of the 1996 Land Use study. We’d need to assess how many of the streets slated for paving, etc. in 1996 are still in need of work.

There was a brief discussion regarding the former policy of the City of Seymour to charge the neighbors in the neighborhood if they wished a street to be paved. This policy was in affect until the late 1990’s. However, in later years, if a street was in the City limits, and had several neighbors and sufficient use, it was placed on the ‘1996 Street Plan’ and the City Street Department has attempted to pave as many of those streets as possible.

CA Shephard explained that the street improvement project may score low, however, it is worth taking a chance.

Council informally and by acclamation instructed CA Shephard to commission a Street Improvement plan for the City of Seymour to be the proposed project for the next TCDP grant application cycle.

7.
City Council members’ recommendations for proposed budget for the
City of Seymour for FY 2006-07.

CA Shephard explained that new laws regarding freezing of taxes for handicapped citizens and those over 65 years old may have an effect this year on our certified valuations. They may be slightly lower than expected.

No Council member had any request for additions or modifications to the proposed budget – printed on blue paper and commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Budget’.

8.
City Administrator’s report, report of suggestions/concerns received in City of Seymour Suggestion Box, and Well-Level Report.

CA Shephard explained that he had received no suggestions in the suggestion box. However, one thing that the City of Seymour has been doing is attempting to keep the citizens informed. By using all means at our disposal to get the word out about upcoming issues, we try to conduct city business in the most transparent way possible. Also, Street Supr. Kolacek has determined that the bridge on East McLain will soon re-open. There was a worrisome area of ‘wash-out’ that caused danger on the bridge. All the City crews have been doing great work, especially with the intense heat. Also, thank you for allowing my son Matthew to sit in tonight with us on the dais.

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	4. Discuss, Consider and Take action upon the proposed Ordinance and Notice of Restriction of deed regarding site protection requirements for City Park area, to protect storm water mitigation and flood control efforts, as requested by TXDOT. Mayor Craighead and CA Shephard explained that this is a request for the Council to, in theory, approve an Ordinance stating that the City Park will remain the City Park in the future, it will not be sold to developers, nor will the use of the park land be altered. The State of Texas is going to plant some vegetation and take some other efforts to mitigate the storm water problems of Seymour creek. In exchange, we agree that we will not be ‘undoing’ this work by developing the area for some new use. The Corp of Engineers and TXDOT should be providing City Staff with the correct wording of the required Ordinance if Council chooses to approve this plan, then the ‘final form’ of this amending Ordinance can be drafted and brought to Council on a future consent agenda. Motion: Motion by Councilman Coltharp, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest, to approve the request of TXDOT regarding the drafting of and approval of an amending Ordinance and Notice of Restriction of deed regarding site protection requirements for City Park area, to protect storm water mitigation and flood control efforts, as requested by TXDOT. Vote on the Motion: passed unanimously. 5. Discuss, Consider and take action upon request of citizen Nancy Markham for the City of Seymour to participate in the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified Retirement Community program. Ms. Markham explained that she found out about this program as she was surfing the Internet. She brought it to Baylor County Judge James D. ‘Butch’ Coltharp who suggested that she bring it to City Council for consideration as possibly a joint effort. There is a $5,000 fee to join. However, this is refundable if we do not qualify for the program. This program is to attract retirees to our city. It is for people like me and the Fest family, who want to retire in a fully-functional community. They will help us to market ourselves to the retirees. Texas has many ‘draws’ regarding marketing to retirees. I’d like to see some real investigation of this before rejecting it. We can, at a minimum, monitor the first cities that join and see if they are successful in their endeavors. Mayor Craighead notes that there is quite a large amount of paperwork involved in this application. He recommends tabling the issue until the Council members can read the entire booklet and make a more informed decision. Motion: Motion to table request of Nancy Markham for the City of Seymour to participate in the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified Retirement Community program, motion by MPT Butler, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest. Vote on the Motion: passes unanimously. 6. Discuss options for next Texas Community Development Grant application cycle – including options for restoration work to water tower on North Washington, or water well ‘tie-in’ project for the Compress area wells. Mayor Craighead and CA Shephard discuss the fact that Street projects are now an option under these TCDP grants. They will probably score higher on the regional level than on the state level. However, the problem with the water tower renovation is that it would be considered maintenance. It would not, therefore, be approved. The only way the water tower would be approved would be if the project was to completely replace the current water tower. This would entail more cost than the grant would be able to provide, therefore, the City would be investing far more money. Another project to ‘tie-in’ wells would score well as a water project, however, it also would be expensive. To submit a project for streets – first we’d be required to return to our outdated street plan, part of the 1996 Land Use study. We’d need to assess how many of the streets slated for paving, etc. in 1996 are still in need of work. There was a brief discussion regarding the former policy of the City of Seymour to charge the neighbors in the neighborhood if they wished a street to be paved. This policy was in affect until the late 1990’s. However, in later years, if a street was in the City limits, and had several neighbors and sufficient use, it was placed on the ‘1996 Street Plan’ and the City Street Department has attempted to pave as many of those streets as possible. CA Shephard explained that the street improvement project may score low, however, it is worth taking a chance. Council informally and by acclamation instructed CA Shephard to commission a Street Improvement plan for the City of Seymour to be the proposed project for the next TCDP grant application cycle. 7. City Council members’ recommendations for proposed budget for the City of Seymour for FY 2006-07. CA Shephard explained that new laws regarding freezing of taxes for handicapped citizens and those over 65 years old may have an effect this year on our certified valuations. They may be slightly lower than expected. No Council member had any request for additions or modifications to the proposed budget – printed on blue paper and commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Budget’. 8. City Administrator’s report, report of suggestions/concerns received in City of Seymour Suggestion Box, and Well-Level Report. CA Shephard explained that he had received no suggestions in the suggestion box. However, one thing that the City of Seymour has been doing is attempting to keep the citizens informed. By using all means at our disposal to get the word out about upcoming issues, we try to conduct city business in the most transparent way possible. Also, Street Supr. Kolacek has determined that the bridge on East McLain will soon re-open. There was a worrisome area of ‘wash-out’ that caused danger on the bridge. All the City crews have been doing great work, especially with the intense heat. Also, thank you for allowing my son Matthew to sit in tonight with us on the dais. Continue Next Page Pervious Page Return to Index - City of Seymour Secretary Office






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