Outgoing Dublin City Council members Orion Gallagher and Keegan McInroe were honored as newly elected city council members Nancy Williams and Jacob McCullough were sworn into office during the regular meeting Monday, June 10.
“We appreciate all you’ve done,” said Mayor David Leatherwood before presenting Gallagher and McInroe with their name plates from the dais. “A lot of the time it’s a thankless job.”
After the presentations, Williams was sworn into Place 2 and McCullough was sworn into Place 4 before taking their seats.
The re-situated council almost unanimously accepted Sammy Moore as Mayor Pro-Tem based onLeatherwood’srecommendation with Moore abstaining.
Moore also abstained from the vote to accept the resignation of his wife, Jill Moore, from the Planning and Zoning Board while the rest carried the vote and Kabala Boleslaw, a Tarleton government professor, was unanimously voted to fill the seat she vacated.
The Council heard several P&Z recommendations during the meeting as they unanimously accepted the P&Z’s recommendation to replat 305 May into two properties so a home could be placed in the back of the property. Moore asked about street access and was informed by the property owner that a driveway already exists.
P&Z also recommended a replat of 612 Laurel into two lots as the property owner was splitting it so each of their children could have their own lot. Moore asked about the upkeep of the properties and was informed that the lots being separated makes code enforcement easier. Council unanimously approved the replat.
P&Z member Ben Pate also reported the P&Z recommended against the replat of 301 N. Norton into four lots. Pate offered that the property offers adequate spacing for the split, but the narrow roadway could result in traffic problems for the neighborhood. Neighboring residents had also issued opposition to the replat. Council members opted to follow P&Z’s recommendation to deny the replat.
City Manager Bobby Mendez requested the move $15,000 from code enforcement clean up to Public Works expenses as the skid-steer recently purchased had an unexpected expense for a dump trailer and grapple attachment. Mendez found the move fitting since the new equipment is helping with code enforcement abatement and has already made handling brush quicker and easier. Council unanimously approved the move.
EMS director John Tadlock requested a contract with Government Capital for a low interest loan to handle the remaining $177,298 toward its purchase of a new ambulance. (He reported that a portion for the nearly $300,000 purchase was handled through ARPA funds presented to first responder agencies by the county.) Tadlock recommended a 5-year repayment, citing the average lifespan of ambulances as 10 years and that would fit in with the replacement of the city’s current main unit. The backup unit, an older vehicle remounted in 2015, will be put to auction once the new unit arrives and those funds will go towards EMS needs.
It was reported the first payment will be due a year after the reception of the ambulance. Council unanimously approved.
Citing $145,000 still left to raise and an immediate deadline for the fitness court at the Dublin Public Library, Mendez advised the council that it would have to opt out. The city had previously received a $50,000 grant for the fitness court to promote adult health with the city responsible for the remainder through price matching and community sponsorship. Mendez reported that he would be refunding the pledges provided towards the project.
Mayor Leatherwood also presented an approved resolution for National Men’s Health Month to representatives from Texas Health.
Grafton Market/ Andermar Properties owner Carmen Andersen inquired during public comments about plans to fix the sidewalks on South Grafton, stating the empty building and sidewalk condition next to her business space as a deciding factor in some not renting. Leatherwood and council said they could look at putting it into the next budget with discussions starting soon.
The next city council meeting will be held Monday, July 8. All meetings start at 6 p.m. and open to the public.