Council reappoints Powers, approves well project bids

Whitehouse City Council voted Tuesday to reappoint Bill Powers to Place 1 and also approved bids for completion of water wells #8 and #9.

The move to reappoint Powers was largely cautionary, as city attorney Stephen Evans advised council that no action was necessary. Evans said that Powers, who submitted his resignation at the December regular meeting, would legally retain his seat until it was filled by either appointment or election.

The council briefly discussed the merits of appointing someone who was interested in running for the position in the upcoming May 10 elections, but ultimately voted to reappoint Powers 3-0-1 (with Powers abstaining and Mike Adams absent).

Council then approved an amended ordinance adding council Place 1 (one year, unexpired term) to the May 10 general election ballot.

Council also accepted bids for a waterline and pump house and ground storage tank for water wells #8 and #9. Doughtie Construction submitted the low bid of $1,278,000 to build the pump house and ground storage tank, while Wilkins Contracting Inc.'s $406,594.68 was accepted for the waterline construction.

Water well #7 (Lilly Road) is expected to come online at the end of this week.

In a related agenda item, Mayor Jake Jacobson stated he had nothing to report at this time concerning renewed negotiations with the City of Tyler for a water contract. Jacobson reported at the last regular monthly meeting that he had met briefly with Tyler mayor Joey Seeber to reopen the door for negotiations and a second meeting would be forthcoming.

Despite the uncertainty looming over summer production, the city's water well pursuits were attributed with a positive financial impact. Presenting a short overview on an audit for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2007, Kevin Cashion told the council that the city was receiving a clean report and he cited the savings in water payments to Tyler as a factor in the overall fund balance.

Council members voted to accept the audit as presented.

Members also voted to accept an ordinance outline accepted methods of placing an item on the meeting agenda.

The new guidelines state that the mayor and/or any city council member has the authority to place an item on the agenda, and that the city manager, working in conjunction with the mayor and city secretary, shall set the agenda.

In other agenda items, council also approved:

- a capital improvement plan presented at an earlier public hearing;

- a resolution voiding existing tariff with Atmos Energy and a new resolution adopting a new rate case;

- appointment of Daniel Kessinger to the Planning and Zoning Commission;

- an interlocal agreement with Whitehouse ISD and Smith County to conduct the May 10 election and a joint agreement for shared polling location;

- the purchase of a new police motorcycle with equipment;

- a resolution reaffirming the city's current investment policy and the addition of J.P. Morgan Chase as an authorized financial institution.