Granite Shoals reaffirms 2004 annexation decision
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
The Granite Shoals City Council on Tuesday, May 9, passed a single resolution, one laying to rest their position on the 2004 annexation of the Green Valley Subdivision.
Ironically, it was a meeting not attended by Roy W. “Smiley” Settlemyre who has appeared before the council regularly over the years to protest the annexation, based on population density.
The council's Resolution 533 included the supporting documentation of ta 2014 review by City Attorney Brad Young. Also included was the decision of the Burnet Central Appraisal District's Appraisal Review Board in response to Settlemyre's claims there that city property taxes were improper.
Young, who was not city attorney at the time of the annexation, listed documentation he had reviewed for an opinion. Records on property in the original Sherwood Shores development and city annexations, back to 1978, were referenced.
His bottom line, disputed time and again by Settlemyre was: “Based on my review and analysis of these documents and applicable law, it is my opinion that Green Valley is validly annexed as part of the City of Granite Shoals.”
The council did approve a policy concerning bartering that is almost unique to the City of Granite Shoals.
Granite discarded from mining operations is scattered around more than 130 acres of land on the municipal complex. Although flawed and mostly unusable for monuments or new construction, occasionally a city contractor has offered to accept some in partial payment.
The council gave the city manager the authority to do that at values up to $15,000 without formal council approval. Agreements will continue to include a clause requiring removal at the expense of the contractor.
More lengthy discussion, without action, was devoted to the question of unintentional encroachment on city property on Green Acres Drive. The problem is a knotty one that that still has no resolution. A contractor installed a retaining wall behind the home of Randy and Cindy Spivey, so they are the owners of the wall that now is found to encroach on a city park and to include and extend beyond a fill area purchased by a previous owner.
Some additional time was devoted to planning a budget retreat with time for community input.
The council will meet briefly in at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, to canvass votes from the May 6 General Election, in preparation for a regular May 23 council meeting, where oaths of office will be taken by returning incumbents Mayor Carl Brugger and Council Members Anita Hisey, Jim Davant and Todd Holland.
In the meantime, the budget workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 19, at a special location, the Granite Shoals Community Center, 1208 North Phillips Ranch Road.
“Mayor Pro Tem Shirley King requested scheduled breaks for public comment,” said City Secretary Elaine Simpson.
Also upcoming on a city calendar of important events are:
May 29—Memorial Day holiday, when city hall will be closed
May 31—“Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Seminar,” a free-to-the-public program of the Burnet County Sheriff's Office from 1-4 p.m. at the Burnet County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension building, 607 North Vandeveer Street in Burnet.
June 10—Granite Shoals Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the city fire hall, 8410 West Ranch to Market Road 1431.
June 24—Granite Shoals Wildlife Committee Town Hall Meeting, 9-11 a.m. at the fire hall, 8410 West Ranch to Market Road 1431, to include results of the 2016 urban deer management pilot program and plans for the program to continue in 2017.
