The Whitney City Council held its monthly meeting Thursday, February 15, and voted to establish a permit committee to restructure the city’s permitting process.
Operations Director Billy Pribble said that the city needs to create a more efficient permitting process, as the current procedures are confusing for both residents and employees. Pribble said that he has met with several contractors and developers in the area, and they will also be assisting with the process. The council appointed members Sam Pierce and Valery Peacock to the committee.
The council voted to move City Council meetings from the City Annex on Colorado Street to the Lake Whitney Public Library Meeting Room, located at 602 East Jefferson Avenue. Pribble said that the library offers a more modern and spacious facility with better parking and will better accommodate meetings as citizen involvement continues to increase. The council voted 4-1 in favor of the change, with Council Member Martis Ward voting against the move.
The council approved holding a joint election with Whitney Independent School District, as both entities will hold elections on the Saturday, May 4, city and school election date. The city has three council positions available this year.
A change was made to the council meeting agenda policy to clean up timelines after meeting dates were moved to Thursdays under the last mayor’s administration. The mayor and council members must submit agenda items seven days in advance instead of four days in advance under the change. Citizens can submit agenda items 14 days in advance, instead of the previous timeline of seven days. New agenda items can be submitted until the agenda is posted, with the mayor’s authorization.
The change will allow the agenda to be published in the newspaper prior to meeting dates.
In a related agenda item, the council’s meeting conduct policy was approved. It outlines the above timelines and other aspects of meeting conduct for council members and those addressing the council.
The council considered a contract with Rene Bates Auctioneers to allow the city to sell surplus property that was approved to be sold in August. Pribble said that the items could not be sold until a contract was approved with a company to conduct the sale. In open forum, Alvin Kaddatz of Kaddatz Auctioneering spoke to the council, outlining the company’s support of the community and its wide customer base. Kaddatz requested that the city consider doing business with his company.
City Secretary Kristi Woellert told the council that the city had problems with a past auction conducted by Kaddatz, saying that it was not a good process. After discussion, Peacock made a motion to approve a contract with Rene Bates Auctioneers, but there was no second and the motion died.
Council members approved transferring $9,171 from the city’s Building Security Fund to the General Fund for the purchase and installation of new security cameras at City Hall.
In departmental reports, it was reported that the city’s EMS responded to 40 calls in January, in which 70% of patients were transported. The average response time was five minutes and 10 seconds.
The department is now working on its Department of State Health Services compliance survey to ensure all aspects of operation are in compliance. EMS is also working to prepare for April’s eclipse crowds by planning for staffing, stocking ambulances and forming response plans.
Police Chief Kyle Nevil reported that in January, officers located and apprehended a fugitive sex offender who was working at a local retail store. The chief reported that the individual had been on the run for over a year with outstanding warrants from multiple agencies.
Officers also located a juvenile runaway and returned her safely to her guardian.
The department assisted the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office with a vehicle pursuit of a wanted felon who threw narcotics, which were all recovered, out of the vehicle.
Nevil reported that two of the department’s older Ford Explorers were outfitted with new equipment that was desperately needed for patrol operations, including computer mounts, video systems and radios.
Overall, the police department responded to 221 total incidents in January, made seven arrests, conducted 53 traffic stops and issued 75 citations.
Whitney Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Nelson reported that the department responded to a total of 59 calls in January, with 33 being in the city and 26 in the county.
Fire Chief David Gilmore reported that the dedication of the department’s new engine is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, and repairs to the older engine are almost complete.
Gilmore reported that the city has become aware of a lot of issues with buildings in downtown Whitney and said it is time to take a better look at downtown, identifying problems and giving owners plenty of time to mitigate issues.
Gilmore and Nevil reported on animal control efforts as the city continues to develop a plan to address stray dogs and cats. Gilmore said that the two have visited area animal shelters and are talking to veterinarians and other animal control program administrators to get more information.
Gilmore said that the city likely needs to develop an ordinance requiring registration of animals. The city is also researching the possibility of reserving a certain amount of space at local shelters each month along with a plan to trap and spay/neuter feral cats. The city also continues to research options for an eventual animal shelter.
Public Works Supervisor Chris Brennan reported that the department repaired three water leaks in January, and work on Highland Drive was about 80% complete. Repairs are also ongoing on Bush Drive.
Brennan thanked Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 county commissioners for their help with a possible interlocal road repair and maintenance agreement for road work on Bush Drive and HCR 1240 near Whitney ISD campuses. Public Works continues to work on sourcing a new control board for the city’s emergency siren.
The library’s report showed 681 visitors in January, with 48 new cards issued, 148 reference calls and 122 computer users served. Various events are also ongoing at the library, with more information available at http://www.whitneylibrary.org.
The council convened in closed session for discussions regarding an advertising and sponsorship policy for city property, citizen complaints, real property and economic development negotiations. No action was taken when open session resumed.
The Lakelander 