Construction projects ahead for city

Published Sunday, May 4, 2008

By Brian Knox

Last fall, the Decatur City Council selected what projects were the highest priority for the city.

At Monday's meeting, those projects officially began moving forward with the approval of the issuance of certificates of obiligation which will be used to fund the projects.

The council unanimously agreed to issue certificates of obligation in the amount of $6.25 million to pay for three major projects for the city. Those projects include the following:

- water line improvements - A new 16-inch water main would run from the city's water treatment plant and mostly along Thompson Street. The project is estimated to cost a little more than $2.7 million.

- new fire station - The city's second fire station will cost an estimated $2.6 million to build and equip.

n street repairs - Work would include a hot mix overlay. Streets currently on line for the repairs include West Mulberry St., Main St., North Church St., North Miller St., Deer Park Rd., West Thompson St. and Eagle Dr. The project will cost an estimated $547,994.

Smoking ban

Dr. Ron Westbrook gave the city council a brief presentation on the possibility of banning smoking in all Decatur restaurants. West book gave the council information on the effects of secondhand smoke and talked about how even though some restaurants have smoking sections, the danger still exists.

"I realize this will be an unpopular decision with some people," Westbrook told the council. " ... It will require fortitude and brave forward thinking to enact this ordinance. I'm asking this council to be those decision makers."

Mayor Joe Lambert said the city will research the issue and bring it up at a future council meeting.

No fee increase

The council also considered increasing the city's franchise fee paid to the city by gas company Atmos Energy from 4 percent to 5 percent. The increase would have increased residential customers' bills approximately 50 to 60 cents per month.

City Manager Brett Shannon said he recommended approving the fee increase in order to bring the fee in line with other franchise fees paid by other utilities to the city.

The council, however, was not in favor of the idea.

"I just see this as an increase to our residents that is not necessary," said council member Pam Holland.

"I agree with Pam," council member Tim Murphy said. "Fifty cents here, 50 cents there - it all adds up."

The council then unanimously voted against the fee increase.

In other business, the council:

- agreed to enter into an agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiative Program. Public Works Director Earl Smith explained that the city has come up with a plan to correct problems with overflow of the sewer after a large rain. The SSO program would keep TCEQ from fining the city - which could be up to $10,000 a day - as long as the city was working toward correcting the problem.

- recognized the Decatur High School mock trial team for being the first 3A team from Texas to advance to the national competition.