Granite Shoals council coffee klatch set Saturday
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
Residents of Granite Shoals will have the opportunity to stop in for Coffee with the Council, an event going on from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Davant and city council members Todd Holland and Shirley King will be on hand to answer questions and get to know people at Crazy Gal Restaurant, 8037 Ranch to Market Road 1431.
A lot has been going on people may want to ask about.
A $264,000 contract, finalized at a meeting Monday night, Jan. 29, engages KC Engineering, Inc. to perform engineering services and project management for the $3 million road infrastructure project.
“We expect to divide the work into several construction contracts because work varies from Valley View Lane and Prairie Creek Road that are former county-maintained roads and Phillips Ranch Road,” said Granite Shoals City Manager Ken Nickel. “Work advertised around April should be going during June, July and August.”
The council is prepared to conduct a group of five public hearings on Feb. 20 that could be of interest to property owners. Those hearings are scheduled for second hearings and passage Feb. 27.
One concerns the long-debated changes to the fencing ordinance (Chapter 40 of Ordinance 727). Others relate to the zoning of four newly-annexed properties.
Few citizens attend city council meetings, so the are often surprised of the volume of detailed information council members must wade through before making decisions.
The Wildlife Committee has provided the council with regular updates on the urban deer control project. Nickel has presented regular updates on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grant for the Quarry Park sports complex. And, Assistant City Manager Peggy Smith has discussed in detail the tenth of a fraction variation in water testing that has led to water reports mailed out to citizens.
Even though the budget cycle is far away in the summer, council members began Monday night to look at one of the stumbling blocks in this year's budget—the contract for fire service in Emergency Service District 3. The compromise on a one-year contact means an ESD contract will be back on the table this year. Council members devoted long hours to discussions of drainage, water service and even regulation of garage sales.
It is city election season, but Davant assured citizens at the Jan. 23 council meeting that Saturday's event would not be a campaign forum. Still, there could be something to learn for prospective candidates.
More than two dozen volunteer positions are open on committees, commissions and advisory groups.
“Each of the council members who will be at 'Coffee with the Council' began in such appointed capacities before being elected,” said City Secretary Elaine Simpson, who accepts applications for volunteer posts and election candidates. “They are in a position to explain how volunteering helped helped the learn about the city's needs and how they are assisted by those volunteers now that they are serving on the council.”
Of course, they are in the perfect position to share what the demands of a council turned out to be, as well.
