Council Sets Special Called Meeting

The city manager presented a certificate from the Texas Main Street program to the city council. The certificate was presented to Stephens and mayor Scott McGriff at a meeting in Tyler on November 4.

The council voted to postpone a decision on acquiring a 10’ strip of land from the county that is part of the lot where the Precinct 3 Annex is located. The city would need the property to build a new city hall. The postponement was due to a pending final decision to build a new city hall.

A special called meeting was scheduled for November 19 to address the bid proposals for the new city hall, and to vote on proceeding with the project.

Bobby Mayfield was reappointed as the city’s nominee to the Van Zandt County Appraisal District Board of Directors.

The council approved an interlocal cooperation agreement to utilize purchasing services provided by the State Comptroller’s Office.

Municipal Judge Mary Bardin informed the council that the contract with the current collection agency would not be renewed.

The council heard from Parks Director Dale Watkins regarding the location of city property. Watkins reported that many of the vacant lots the city has been maintaining, and receiving complaints about, do not actually belong to the city.

Watkins added that he is working with code enforcement officer Rachel Pearson to identify all properties the city would be responsible to mow, and to color-code those properties on a map of the city.

Watkins and Pearson are also working to identify owners of properties that do not belong to the city. Those owners will be billed for mowing services, or liens will be placed on the properties.

The council also discussed agreements between the city and Wills Point ISD regarding Lester Park sports facilities and concession stands. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided the original agreements were sufficient, and no new contracts were needed.