Council hears fire update
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Whitehouse City Council members were briefed on last week's fire at the city utilities building and updated on repairs and insurance matters during Tuesday's regular monthly meeting. Council also heard a citizen complaint about a neighbor's property and discussed pending litigation in executive session.

City Manager Ronny Fite answered council's questions about last Monday's fire. The fire is believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion when a chemical used to clear sewer lines apparently came in contact with water and heated up. Fite said plans are in the work to build a separate smaller building to store chemicals in the future.

He also said there are no cost estimates yet for repairs. All damaged vehicles are in the shop, and he and Jed Dillingham, the city's financial director, have been working with insurance adjusters on deductibles and estimates.

The council offered praise for the city's police and fire department response. Although damage was primarily limited to smoke and heat, Fite said "another 10 or 15 minutes and we'd have lost everything."

Prior to agenda items, council heard a citizen complaint from Bell Hensley, who said she has been complaining for 17 years about a neighbor's property and violation of city ordinances.

"I pay taxes and expect you to do something," said Hensley, who submitted photos to council of her neighbor's home. "It's ruining my property value."

Hensley said her neighbor's home needed to be painted and the property cleaned up. She said she offered to buy the paint and her neighbor responded, "Are you going to pay me to paint it?"

Fite told council that the city had not ignored the issue. He said the neighbor had received more than one citation and always paid his fines. Fite also said that he thought some prep work for painting had been done before this summer's heavy rainfall, but had not commenced since.

The council told Hensley that city staff would take another look at the ordinances and see what else could be done.

The council also heard from citizens on an agenda item concerning flooding issues on Dews Drive. Residents Demarcus Hawkins and Ernest Dews spoke to the council about the need for something to be done about the area's flooding, a long-standing problem that was heavily affected by the summer rainfall.

At issue is the council's responsibility and legal standing since Dews Drive is a private road. The city has easements for sewer and water, but not the required land deed to take over maintenance and to construct a curb and gutter street.

Members of the council expressed sympathy for the residents' plight, but said they could not legally do anything unless the road was made public.

If made public, the city would bear the bulk of the expense but Dews Drive residents would also have to share the cost.

Council asked those present to determine if support for the road being made public was supported by all residents, and the issue was placed on next month's agenda.

In other matters, the council approved a change order to wastewater improvements in the Willingham Outfall Replacement project. The council authorized an additional $12,524.26 for materials and supplies. Fite said the project was still under budget.

Council also approved Gollob, Morgan, Peddy & Co., P.C. for audit services for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2007.

The council met in executive session to discuss personnel matters and a pending litigation, Trey Teague et al v. City of Whitehouse, but took no action on either matter.

Under informational items, Fite reported on a brief meeting with City of Tyler officials to discuss possible extraterritorial jurisdiction conflicts. He also said the city was in the process of seeking a site for water well eight.