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Elmendorf city council addresses growth issues, city improvements, dogs

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Wilson County News
March 14, 2007 | Comment on this article

ELMENDORF -- A full city council addressed more than 10 agenda items March 8 during a regular meeting in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Parish Hall.

Prior to the meeting, councilmen Tom M. Green Jr., R.M. “Andy” Anderson, Richard Rodriguez, Jesse Palomo, and Linda Ortiz, along with Mayor Thomas P. Hicks, viewed a presentation on open meetings, required by state law for elected representatives.

The meeting opened with citizens’ comments. Several residents addressed the council on the ongoing dog-control issues that plague Elmendorf. Ruby Hyatt, who regularly attends council meetings, told the council that dogs are “out of control,” adding, “This is the worst I’ve seen it on First Avenue. The dogs are just about taking over the neighborhood.” Another resident who regularly runs in the city agreed, saying he had been chased by loose dogs and was concerned for the safety of citizens.

Addressing the continuing issue of animal control during his report to the council, the mayor advised that all complaints should be made to the police department to handle emergency situations and for accurate record keeping of the complaints.

Hicks reported on several issues, advising that the city’s application for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding had been made with Bexar County, adding that he had been advised to file a master plan grant also. A master plan would help guide the council’s business for city improvements and more if the application is successful.

Police Chief A.D. Carroll provided an update on the status of grants his department has requested. A recent grant for $15,000 was approved, and reimbursement of $12,875 was received from the governor’s office for the purchase of radios. A request to use the remaining funds for a notebook computer is still pending.

The council quickly discussed and unanimously approved adopting a city investment policy as required by law and the posting of building-permit requirements in the newspaper for the public, as well as the appointment of City Secretary Rita Richardson as an associate municipal judge. Her appointment will speed the processing of certain paperwork. Richardson will undergo 32 hours of training with the Texas Municipal League to meet the appropriate requirements.

Hicks asked the council to postpone the hire of a maintenance worker, advising the funds could be better utilized to pay to install a 6-inch waterline that has been awaiting installation for two years. Not installing the line, he said, could put future grant money in jeopardy by the city’s failure to complete projects. The waterline project, if not addressed, could impede road improvements the city needs.

Elmendorf has filed for stand-alone city elections in May, to be held separate from the Bexar County elections so a local polling place is available to residents. The cost could be in the region of $3,800, Hicks said, although the city might save the money by canceling the election if the incumbents who have filed for council seats run unopposed.

Council members agreed to allocate funds for the installation of three adapters and two complete assemblies to waterlines in the Ranchview subdivision. The fixtures will improve fire-protection measures in the area and are less costly than fire hydrants, according to information compiled by Anderson. The materials bid for the equipment is $676.76.

Heated disagreements ensued when employee hiring and deed restrictions were raised. When Green persisted questioning Hicks on a hiring that occurred some time ago, council members heatedly debated if this was appropriate or necessary. Hicks laid the matter to rest after consulting City Attorney Umberto “Beto” Saldaña, who agreed that as the matter had been voted on in the past, it was a dead issue.

“We don’t accomplish anything at this table when we squabble among ourselves,” Hicks told the council.

Anderson then asked why the city could not enforce deed restrictions and subdivision ordinances, a matter brought up by Saul Santos Jr. during citizens’ participation. Hicks told the council that the matter was not the city’s business; rather, it is the responsibility of the subdivision’s homeowners’ association to enforce restrictions in the subdivision.

Members again squabbled, with Anderson reiterating that the city should enforce the deed restrictions of the subdivision, which was annexed by Elmendorf. Other members disputed this. Saldaña confirmed that the city could be at risk if it were to get involved in such a dispute.

Also before the council was the annexation of 22 acres of land in Wilson County, adjacent to 254 acres in the new Butterfield Ranch development near U.S. 181 and Loop 1604, for water treatment purposes. The council will consider annexing the property, holding three public meetings slated for March 29, April 12, and April 26 for public input. Public notices will be posted for the meetings.

No action was taken on the issue of council conduct, the subject of a brief executive session.

nkilbey-smith@wcn-online
 


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