Editor: Shannon Cottongame
September 27, 2023
The Whitney City Council discussed animal control options in the city during a regular meeting held Thursday, September 21.
City Operations Director Billy Pribble asked the council to provide guidance as staff investigates the city’s options for addressing the issue of stray dogs and cats. Two options were presented, including the construction of an animal shelter and contracting with All American Dog Control for animal control services.
Dog trainer and rescuer Nancy Bidwell spoke to the council after having conversations with Fire Chief David Gilmore. She told the council that there are grants and donors available for communities that would like to open an animal shelter and spay/neuter operation, and she also suggested animal licensing for pet owners and the city aggressively prosecuting animal cruelty and enforcing spay/neuter regulations and fines.
Police Chief Kyle Nevil presented information from All American Dog Control about animal control services the company could offer to the city. The fee would be approximately $17,600 annually, which would be less expensive than the city establishing its own animal control program.
“We don’t have a place to take them, and we don’t have anybody to take them,” Pribble said. Presenting the options, he said, “We have a company that will take care of them for us, or we have an option of increasing, through ordinances, fines for registering your dog, having your dog spayed or neutered, or potentially going the full facility route.”
Pribble said that one of the biggest issues the city encounters is residents denying that an animal belongs to them when there is an issue.
Council members pointed out that stray cats seem to be an even bigger problem in the city than dogs, and Pribble said that the animal control contractor also works to control cats.
The council expressed interest in pursuing all of the options, but said that an immediate remedy is needed while funding is pursued for a possible future facility.
Pribble said that he will bring an agreement before the council for the animal control option, and Chief Gilmore and Bidwell will begin looking at grant options and funding sources for a facility as a long-term goal.
In other action, the council accepted two donations from residents. Alan and Donna Ellis donated $10,000 to the city for its parks projects and building/capacity studies, and B&C Exteriors donated $5,000 to the Whitney Police Department for training and ammunition purchases.
The council also voted to partner with the Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce to plan city events, such as the upcoming Halloween event downtown. Pribble explained that the partnership will provide a much-needed service to the city and foster a good relationship between the city and chamber.
An agreement with Clark Associates was approved that allows the company to perform engineering services related to plat and construction review. CenTex Engineers notified the city earlier this month that it will no longer provide this service to the city in an effort to focus on private development work.
The council also approved a subdivision plat in the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), located at the intersection of Trilby Road and Catherine Drive. The plat meets the city’s subdivision regulations and includes eight lots. Under the city’s agreement with the county, Whitney must approve plats in its ETJ.
In departmental updates, Fire Chief David Gilmore said that the department had a busy month in August, responding to 121 total calls that included five structure fires, 14 grass fires and 36 medical calls, along with traffic accidents and other calls for service.
Gilmore credited firefighter Chaleb Pommells with securing an emergency repair grant from the Texas Forest Service. The $15,000 grant will help the department replace brush truck tires after one recently blew out and the tire shop owner informed the department that the tires were dangerous and needed to be replaced.
Gilmore said that citizens seem to be responding to the notice put out about code enforcement activity, and there were signs that the first enforcement area was being cleaned up after the notice went out. The department plans to continue issuing notices to give citizens a chance to get their properties cleaned up before code enforcement visits each area of the city.
Training efforts continue at the fire department, with firefighters successfully completing training on cancer awareness and planning a HazMat awareness training through the Texas Department of Emergency Management at the department later this year. Gilmore said that the department is also moving forward with training that will allow firefighters to take the state firefighter commission exam and become commissioned firefighters.
Gilmore told the council that he has been in contact with a service provider that will accept tires from the city for a low fee. The chief said that old tires are stacked up at locations all over the city, and code enforcement needs to be able to assist citizens with this issue. He presented the possibility of charging a small fee to citizens and assisting them with tire removal.
The department continues to have issues with its trucks, with one brush truck having a tank leak and another out of service after a tire blowout. Two engines are being taken for pump testing and preventative maintenance, and the chief said he will get an estimate for repairs to bring both vehicles back up to factory service standards, as both engines have several air leaks and mechanical issues.
Public Works Supervisor Chris Brennan reported that nine water leaks have been repaired, one water and sewer tap was installed in August, the slide at the city park has been replaced and pothole repairs are ongoing in the city.
EMS Supervisor John Martin reported that the department responded to 51 calls in August and is on track to see about the same numbers in September. The department’s response time continues to be four minutes and 54 seconds on average to date this year, and so far in 2023, the department has responded to 368 calls.
The police chief reported that the department received 321 calls for service in August. Eight arrests were made for the month, ranging from parole violations to burglary and family violence. The biggest incident the department responded to in August was the burglary in progress at the Pit Stop convenience store, which resulted in officers arresting two subjects and recovering most of the stolen property within a couple of hours. Nevil said that the subjects were also believed to be responsible for a number of vehicle burglaries that were occurring in the city, and these incidents have declined in number since arrests were made.
Library Director Denise Carter encouraged the council and citizens to view the library’s website, which offers a wealth of information about services and events.
She said that September is Library Card Month, which is being observed by the local library and the American Library Association. She encouraged anyone who does not have a library card to stop by the library and get one, and noted that the library is also having amnesty month in September and all late fees will be forgiven when books are returned.
In August, the library welcomed 759 visitors and issued 37 new library cards. There were 340 reference calls, 149 computer users, 19 programs offered and 86 club meetings. She said that the library’s book club was scheduled to meet Tuesday, September 26, and astronomer Larry Smith was scheduled to present a public eclipse program at the library last Friday. The library is also planning a large book sale and is looking to sign up local authors for book signings and book reviews. Story time for preschool children also continues and is well received by the community.
The council heard from two individuals in open forum. Stacey Watts, director of the Whitney Housing Authority, told the council that a board member is leaving the area and asked for the council to appoint a new member. Hunter Barnes, who is running in the March 2024 Republican Primary for Hill County sheriff, also introduced himself to the council and outlined his goals for the sheriff’s office if he is elected.
The council was set to meet in a special session Monday evening, September 25. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be Thursday, October 19.
The Lakelander 