Snyder council learns about water issues, has varied agenda Monday night

The Snyder City Council and 10+ interested citizens heard an informative talk from Randy Archer, manager of the Mountain Park Master Conservancy District, at Monday night's regular council meeting.

Mountain Park Master Conservancy District manages the water in Tom Steed Reservoir, which supplies water to Snyder and Mountain Park. Water from the lake is also used by Altus, Frederick, and the Comanche County Rural Water District. Archer reported 89.42% of the allocated water is used, leaving only about 11% surplus. He urged the city council to be very cautious with their water and to consider all the repercussions of transferring any more water from the local basin.

Two bids received for the surplus Chevy fire truck were from Charles Moore for $250.00 and Mike Horn - $326.50. The council voted to accept Horn's high bid.

Mayor Gary Anderson reported the library roof is in dire need of repair and a motion was made to solicit bids for the roof with all members voting yes.
The issue of rain water drainage was mentioned again. Anderson said there are several problem areas, including 2nd & F and 1st & D streets which DEQ has requested be addressed. He hopes to be able to study the drainage problems before the next meeting.

In public participation Jim Moore commended the new mayor and council members for taking an interest in the town, and mentioned the need for street repairs. Sam Hargrove suggested bug lites in the alleys to control the mosquitoes, and Maxine Hargrove asked about the hole in their alley where the trash truck had gotten stuck. Mayor Anderson replied that he has it on his work list, but it takes time to get to everything.

Following a half hour executive session the council voted to give a 50 cent raise to animal control officer Jerry Taylor and 75 cents to water superintendent Mark Shelton, with an additional 75 cents following his licensing. Coy Morrow was confirmed as a full-time water department employee and the council agreed to create a fifth position in the water department.

Police Chief Joe Janz reported no problems in his department, with Officer McBee and the reserves about to graduate from certification training.
Fire Chief Bill Graves voiced concern about abandoned property being a fire and health hazard with overgrown grass and weeds creating rodent and mosquito infestations and causing property values to decrease. Mayor Anderson replied that the council was looking into requirements for abatement.

Carol Middick stated that a skunk is living in the old Alamo theater and kids have kicked in the door and been going in and out. Animal Control Officer Taylor promised to check it out.

The May 18 minutes and treasurer's report and encumbrances for first of the month purchase orders, warrants and claims were approved.

Mayor Anderson asked that the council meet next Monday, June 22, for a budget planning session prior to a special meeting on June 29 to finalize the budget for the coming year. It was suggested that the planning session should also be a special meeting to satisfy the state's open meeting act. Anderson said he would find out if it was legal to have the planning session and let the council members know by middle of the week.

The council meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. and Snyder Public Works Authority meeting was called to order.

SPWA rates were discussed with the mayor stating that the city's trash cost had increased approximately 4% after the first of the year and the previous council had agreed to absorb the cost. He suggested reducing the base water usage from 2000 gallons/month to 1500 and implementing a 5% increase to be charged for amounts over the base in order to offset that increase and prevent the rates having to be increased more the next time the cost goes up. It was voted to table the increase until after the budget meetings.

Jerry Taylor's suggestion to charge for use of the roll-off boxes to offset some of the cost was met with disapproval. Patti Mountford stated she has to haul her trash to the roll-offs because there has been no dumpster near her house since the new highway was built. Anderson offered to see if anything can be done to replace her dumpster.

After being open over the weekend, the municipal swimming pool still has some issues with algae which came from the water jets and clouded the water. Pool manager Cheryl Rhodes stated the chemical tests were ok and they are shocking the water to try to remove the algae. Although it poses no health risks, the murky water is hard to see through, so the pool will not open until it clears up.

Mountford commented on the lack of maintenance on the pool and all areas of the city, especially the neglect of the previous administration to start earlier getting the pool ready for the 2009 season. She also praised the work the inmates did in helping with the repairs. Anderson stated he already has a maintenance list started for next winter.

Middick suggested that the city needs to vote a bond to finance city maintenance and repairs, with Mountford replying that she felt Snyder would never go for a bond which would raise property taxes.
Mayor Anderson clarified that Snyder does not get revenue from ad valorem (property) taxes, that repayment of a bond would have to come from an increase in charges for services (water, sewer, trash) or a sales tax increase.

The mayor thanked the citizens for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Council members in attendance were Bob Sproat, Teresa Mills and Clay Oxley. Spud Kirk was absent.