Smithville City Council Meeting November 13
Notes from meeting taken by Connie Clark, Editor/Bastrop County Beacon
The recording of the meeting may be found on the City’s YouTube channel.
A closed executive meeting was conducted and the action is that the City Manager will work with the City Secretary in December to discuss evaluation and duties of the City Manager.
There were three proclamations: Day of Thanksgiving, Honor Our Veterans Day, and Opposition to Rock Crushing Plant.
Four presentations were made: Stephen Barthelme, VFW; Lorie Vincent, Economic Development; Stacy Savage, Recycling; and Carlos Osuma, Verkada/Security Cameras.
P&Z brought up an action item for a Special Use Permit for a guest house at 801 NE Tiger Lane. Four neighbors were opposed and three approved. Discussion was extensive; however P&Z explained that only a Special Use Permit was up for approval. To maintain a home on the property is subject to further permits and approvals. Council approved the permit.
Another P&Z action item was a re-plat combining two lots into one at 207 San Jacinto. Council approved the re-plat.
Discussion and possible action on Ordinance regarding obstruction of sidewalks in the downtown business district was lengthy. Three business owners defended their seating areas, decorations and inventory storage on the sidewalks. They complained about crumbling sidewalks. The Council agreed to review the Ordinance and the expired permits with suggestions to come back to a December or January meeting.
Council approved the Cultural District projects budget for 2023/2024 in part for the top three projects and will move the Hope Floats project to be under the Hot Tax budget.
St. Vincent de Paul’s 496 clients need assistance with utility bills. The organization’s leadership brought up many issues with landlords and City utility increases and late fees. They do get support from funders. Council approved creating a task force to look at these families and how they can be helped.
Council approved a Memo of Understanding with the Smithville Workforce Training Center regarding the use of the City’s 404 Faucett St. appointing two members to the Board instead of Smithville represented at 20%.
Council approved the Tax Note Update. City Manager will provide monthly updates on status of spending and completion. The $500K and $200K ball fields and playgrounds were approved.
The City’s website update was discussed.
Other action items were discussed for potential action:
Resolution Casting Votes for the Board of Directors of the Bastrop Central Appraisal District. Two Smithville citizens are included in the vote.
2023 Certified Tax Levy for the City. Council approved the allocation as reported.
Contract with AT&T for pole attachments. Council approved contract for sharing pole attachments with AT&T.
Council approved the Financial Report.
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