Granite Shoals honors Brady, hears city attorney is moving on
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
Jason Brady was honored with the Granite Shoals Mayor's Award on April 21 in the meeting in which the city council learned city attorney, Brad Young, is to depart.
Brady received applause from citizens at the meeting as well as accolades from Mayor Carl Brugger.
“Jason has devoted so many hours of his personal time as chairman of the Wildlife Advisory Committee, the urban deer management program could never have happened without him,” said Brugger.
With his committee, Brady developed the program under the oversight of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) from community-wide forums to special approval for a pilot program in bow hunter harvesting within the city.
“This was the first of it's kind in Texas,” said Brugger. “Besides serving as committee chair and a frequent hunter, Jason earned the TPWD bow hunter instruction certification to train the hunters.”
In addition to recognizing Brady, the council acted on the recommendation of his committee to approve the Urban Deer Management Program Ordinance so that it will not have to be approved annually. The committee can now move forward continually with approval of hunting sites and training of volunteers, who must not only qualify, but re-qualify for accuracy and rules on a strict schedule.
Also approved at the meeting were amendments to the city's Sign Ordinance. Electronic, programmable signs, such as the one that has been sought by Crazy Gals Cafe, will be allowed so long as the message changes no more often than every four seconds.
“We also updated the ordinance concerning political and yard signs to comply with state law,” said Brugger.
Finance director Wendy Gholson introduced a representative of BrooksWatson & Company, PLLC, who reported on the previous year's audit.
“It was an unqualified audit,” said Brugger. “The highest rating you can receive.”
The audit and the quarterly financial report presented by Gholson at the meeting can be viewed by visiting the 'Financial Transparency' page of the city's official website, www.graniteshoals.org, where the last 10 years' reports are posted.
“The City Wide Clean Up Day on April 14 was a success,” said assistant city manager Peggy Allen Smith. “Thirteen of our 16 dumpsters were filled immediately, although high winds did cause some issues.”
This was the first time free tire recycling was offered and the city collected 391 tires.
“Our next City Wide Clean Up Day is scheduled for Oct. 6 and, from now on, we think we will have to limit free tire recycling to 10 tires per resident,” said Smith.
In a report to the council by Granite Shoals Fire Rescue Chief Austin Stanphill praised neighbors on Shorewood Drive who sprang into action to report and help in the home fire on April 14. Although the home at 509 North Shorewood Drive was a loss, he said that surrounding structures and property could have been lost, without the help of other area fire departments and citizens.
The City Council then approved a request by Aqua Texas to lower (at least temporarily) the wastewater rates for their customers in the City of Granite Shoals. Aqua Texas service area is limited to only Beaver and Webb Islands and some adjacent properties such as Tropical Hideaway. Those residents are their customers, but their rates must receive review by the city council.
“Because of lowered income rates, they propose passing along savings to their customers, about 7.91 percent next year and 6 percent forward,” said Brugger.
“Early voting for the city council election is underway,” said city secretary Elaine Simpson. “On the first day, April 23, 11 early voters voted in person. So far, 29 voters have cast a ballot by mail, absentee.”
Early voting ends May 1. On the May 5 General Election Day, the city fire hall will serve as the central voting location.
On Brugger's request, the council agreed to set May 15 as the date to canvass the votes. That will take place in council chambers before the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting begins. Oaths of office will be administrated at the May 22 city council meeting, where outgoing council members will be honored.
City Attorney
Another event will take place at that meeting—a farewell to city attorney Brad Young, who announced he would be leaving the state in June. An attorney with the Austin law firm, Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, LLP (BHDA), Young has seen the city through a city charter change, codification of its ordinances and several legal trials and tribulations. In addition, he has spent time with new council members education in Open Meetings Law and researched their questions about state rules and regulations.
“I am moving to Little Rock, Arkansas this summer to live closer to family,” said Young. “My wife Ginger and I both grew up in Arkansas, and we want our daughter, Annajean, to have the opportunity to spend more time with her grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
“It has been an honor for me to serve Granite Shoals as its city attorney. It has been a great experience for me on both a professional and personal level.
“I have great respect for the city council and staff,” Young added. “I have been consistently impressed by their hard work and dedication to the community.”
In his work with BHDA, Young has represented a number of cities in disputes regarding land use and zoning and disputes with neighboring cities and private property owners over annexation issues. He has defended against claims brought by water supply corporations against cities and conducted research and discovery in cases involving voting rights, equal protection, open records and open meetings claims.
