Materials proposal to save city thousands

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  • As slabs of concrete are taken from sidewalks or roads, the city collects them in site to crush and recycle the concrete for street development. File
    As slabs of concrete are taken from sidewalks or roads, the city collects them in site to crush and recycle the concrete for street development. File
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Proclamation for Black History Month read

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To begin the February city council meeting, Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers read a proclamation declaring Black History Month.

“Whereas Black History Month affords the special opportunity to become more knowledgeable about Black heritage and to honor many Black leaders who have contributed to the progress of our nation,” Sellers read. “Therefore, I…urge all citizens to join together to make this period of rededication to the principles of justice and equality for all people.”

MATERIALS PROPOSAL

As the city rebuilds or develops its streets, tons of materials are used, and expenses can mount when a project using 20,000 tons needs material costing $24 a ton. However, Sulphur Springs city council approved a proposal Tuesday night to hire a company to crush concrete to provide road materials for $8 a ton, a move will save $310,000 to $387,000.

“A couple of years ago, we hired the same company [TBK Materials LLC] to crush concrete we had been stockpiling for many years at our hilltop site,” city manager Marc Maxwell said. “Every time we dig up a sidewalk or part of a street, we take it out there and stack it up in piles, and now we have contractors bringing us concrete.”

The city currently has 20-25,000 tons of concrete to be crushed, and according to Maxwell, there is still some stockpiled crushed concrete left after the same company was hired two years ago. About 45% of the original 38,713 tons remains. The price then was $8.50 per ton.

“It so happens that the same contractor is in the area now, and while we don’t have as much concrete stockpiled, because they’re here, we’re getting a better rate,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell wagered most of the concrete will be used in the rebuilding of College Street, the next major city project after the installation of the new Saputo sewer main.

“Hopefully we’ll stockpile enough more that we’ll able to crush once more before we’re through with College Street,” Maxwell said.

POLICE AND FIRE

Police chief Jason Ricketson submitted the annual racial profiling report for 2020 to the council. According to the report, Sulphur Springs Police Department officer made 9,171 traffic stops which resulted in 4,938 warnings, 4,104 citations and 129 arrests. Ricketson said the number of stops was not lowered compared to other years despite less traffic in early to mid 2020 due to more people working from home.

Per the report, race was not known prior to the stop in 98.16% of stops, and the racial distribution of stops was 70.69% white, 14.91% Black, 13.29% Latino, .91% Asian or Pacific Islander, and .21% Native American.

The council also approved an application for a Department of Homeland Security grant presented by fire chief David James. The possible $7,590 in funds would cover two ventilation fans used Sulphur Springs Fire Department to ventilate structure using positive or negative pressures.

OTHER BUSINESS

When COVID-19 slammed into the United States in March 2020, Texas declared a statewide disaster declaration, and with that came a federal program providing sick leave to those testing positive for COVID-19 or coming into close contact with someone who had it. That, however, expired Dec. 31, 2020.

The council voted to extend that policy through the end of the disaster declaration.

“It’s not a reset or any additional hours. This is totally optional,” human resources director Gordon Frazier said. “If any funds become available through the federal government, this would allow us to keep up with this separately and hopefully offer reimbursement.”

Maxwell added the policy is a “defensive move” to allow employees to take leave for COVID-19 without worry and slowing the spread of the virus.

The council also approved Guaranty Bank and Trust as the recipient of a bank depository contract. According to finance director Lesa Smith, the city has banked with Guaranty for over 18 years. The contract lasts three years with options for two one-year renewals.