Extra chairs were set out Monday, Aug. 14 during the Dublin City Council meeting as 35 were in attendance, many in support of a new group called Revitalize Dublin aimed at more active code enforcement within the city. Several public speakers addressed the council during the meeting which also included drought contingency discussion, EMS and police matters and event requests.
Public speakers addressed the council at the end of the meeting as not all requests were in for the citizen’s participation period at the beginning of the meeting.
Lanora Davidson of Things Celtic was first to speak, continuing her appeal for sidewalk improvements with a simple message: “Sidewalks. Let’s have some sidewalks.” It was reported that bids opened for the project Thursday.
The first speaker on behalf of Revitalize Dublin was Lori Beggs, moderator of the Dublin TX Chatter Facebook group.
A DHS grad who returned to Dublin two years ago, Beggs described RD by saying, “We are a group of concerned citizens who live and work in the Dublin community. We want to bring back the small-town charm that Dublin once had.”
Beggs noted many buildings sitting vacant and properties in disrepair and suggested a vacant building registration ordinance, having property owners register annually and be held responsible for maintaining minimum code standards.
She also suggested church groups, boy scouts and students could help citizens on fixed incomes or with other barriers to fix code issues on their property.
“We want to work in conjunction with code enforcement and city officials to Revitalize Dublin,” Beggs said. “Our vision to clean up Dublin would benefit our citizens, increase tourism and increase revenue for the city overall.”
Beggs was followed by longtime Dublin dairy producer and businessman/ landowner Rod McNeal, whose five children were raised in the Dublin community.
“I see several things [in Dublin] that in my opinion need to be addressed mostly in tidiness of our community,” said McNeal. “There are codes on your books that I feel are not being addressed.”
McNeal noted the presence of vacant and abandoned buildings, occupied homes not up to code and broken-down vehicles.
McNeal said he’s become more observant of the issues since purchasing downtown property.
“You have rules in place, please enforce them,” he added.
McNeal referenced the appeal from his son, Miles, at the July meeting and noted that Dublin was growing and asked how everyone would like Dublin to appear to the people coming into town. He referenced the group Reclaiming Stamford as a success story in a similar size town.
McNeal urged the council for support to Revitalize Dublin, an expression he said everyone ‘will be hearing a lot’ in the months to come.
Many audience members clapped as McNeal took his seat.
Karen Wright, former EDC director and owner of Blackjack Office Center, opened her address with a quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Wright referenced her commitment and belief in Dublin’s growth and potential in buying the large downtown office center and following its high and low points in her many roles within Dublin.
“I have cared about this town to the depths of my soul,” said Wright.
She offered that a passionate group dedicated to improving the community is forming. “We need our elected officials to be on-board with our passion and our optimism,” she said, appealing for support with the group’s needs and the encouragementof taxpayers to be involved in their community’s decisions.
“Our request is that we talk and listen to each other,” she concluded to applause.
Water Conservation
City Manager Bobby Mendez reported during the meeting that administration were part of a recent meeting with the Upper Leon Municipal Water District, which provides treated water from Lake Proctor to several communities including Dublin.
He said it was expected that Brazos River Authority would be enacting a Stage 4 drought contingency, which would active stage 4 restrictions for the city of Dublin. However, Mendez said it was understood that Dublin residents were usually conservative in water usage so the city will be encouraging best practices and sharing conservation tips on social media currently to make sure everyone’s doing their part in the current drought.
The city will also be purchasing blue tablets which allow customers to easily check for toilet leaks, a big offender in raising water usage. These will be available for free to Dublin residents and businesses.
Mendez said he was not looking to punish anyone through enforcements or fines since the residents have historically done a good job.
Council members unanimously approved a waiver for late fees for senior citizens. City Secretary Melissa Minor said the city has offered to waive late fees for residents 65 and over but was informed an ordinance needed to be in place. The approved waiver can be signed by residents 65 and over at city hall.
Tax Rate
The council also unanimously approved a proposed maximum tax rate of .8021 per $100 valuation down from .8275. Mendez reported the city has historically set a maximum tax rate and lowered it as the council gets closer to a final budget.
A public hearing on the tax rate was set for Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. alongside the regular meeting.
EMS Improvements
Dublin EMS Executive Director John Tadlock was present to report the donation of a 2019 Chevy Tahoe from Erath County Sheriff’s Office to assist in call responses and community resource. He also added Dublin EMS will be getting $150,000 in ARPA funds which the county provided to first responder agencies.
The council also approved an annual $100,000 contract between Dublin EMS and Erath County as reimbursement for handling calls outside of the city. Tadlock said the new contract was made to be more fair to Dublin EMS as the previous rate was $350 per call and approximately $75,000 annually.
He also reported Dublin EMS would likely be able to move into the new building soon.
Dublin Police
Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray approached the council about the addition of a new officer and a contract with Dublin ISD for three School Resource Officers. In the approved contracts, Dublin ISD pays 95 percent of the SRO salaries which opened up enough to cover the cost of an additional officer expected to start on Aug. 31.
Ray also addressed two surplus vehicles, with council members unanimously approving the sale of a 2016 Ford Explorer not being used. The council opted not to sell a Ford pickup that city staff uses when it delivers Meals on Wheels.
Upcoming Events
The council also approved the waiving of park fees for the Hispanic Heritage Festival and closing Park Street from Blackjack to the Bank of Houston parking lot entrance for the 20th anniversary Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum Celebration. Both events are planned for September with the Chamber’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration to feature live music, boxing, vendors and alcohol sales that will stop an hour prior to event’s end at 11 p.m. See the Rodeo Heritage Celebration story on A1 for more information on that event.
City Insurance
The council also approved a new Blue Cross Blue Shield policy for city employees after the previous policy was due to increase by 45% per policy. Planning and Zoning recommendations were also approved for the replat of a portion of a property after a parent wanted to give part of their property to their child; and the replat of a 41,000 acre plot into four properties for double-wide manufactured homes.