Sherman leaders gave preliminary approval Monday night to a request from Downtown Sherman Preservation & Revitalization to allow the sale of beer and wine at its St. Patrick’s Day Festivities on March 17.
The council also approved DSP&R’s request to close Wall Street between Travis and Montgomery streets and Walnut Street between Pecan and Houston streets on that day. Though the council seemed willing to allow the sale of beer and wine at the event, there was an issue that needed be addressed.
Once those attending the event purchase their drinks, they will be drinking them on public property, and the city has an ordinance against having open containers of such items on public property. It does not, Sherman attorney Brandon Shelby said, allow for exceptions. He said it will take about a week to make the needed changes. Sherman Mayor Bill Magers told representatives from DSP&R that the council is willing to approve the change once it is drafted.
Magers said representatives from Austin College asked to have an item about the construction of public facilities on the campus pulled from the agenda. Hearing no objection to that matter, Magers honored the request.
Next, the council considered an agreement with First Texoma National Bank to provide for the phased development of common improvements in the Austin Landing Subdivision. According to information in the Council’s agenda packet, the developer of the Austin Landing has returned the property to the First Texoma National Bank. The information says the sidewalks in common areas and one detention pond were not constructed by the developer in accordance with contract. The construction of these facilities is required prior to the construction of homes within the subdivision.
The plan presented to the Council showed that the items would be phased in as the houses were sold. Council member Joe Smith asked if not building the sidewalks at the same time as the houses would cause a problem with the city’s sidewalk ordinance. Realtor Marilyn Williams said the contractors who build the individual homes have to build the sidewalk in front of the homes according to the contract.
The part of the sidewalks that will be phased in, she said, will be those in the common areas only. The detention pond required for the subdivision will be built first, Williams said. Magers said the city is happy to see things moving forward on the subdivision. Smith moved to accept the agreement and Council member Cary Wacker seconded it. No one voted against it.
Next, the Council considered accepting an addendum to the Cable One Commercial Service Agreement dated March 17, 2009, to increase the city’s Internet bandwidth capacity from 5Mbs to 15Mbs. Magers started the discussion of this topic by asking City Attorney Brandon Shelby if there was anything the city council could do about the stations offered by the local cable company. Magers referenced his remarks to complaints he had received from local citizens about the dropping of certain Dallas television stations.
Shelby indicated that there likely isn’t anything that the council can do about that situation. After that brief discussion, the council approved the increase for faster Internet. It will cost the city $375 more per month.
City leaders also approved a request from St. Mary’s Catholic Church to temporarily close Sparrow Lane between Travis Street and Walnut Street each Sunday morning from 7 to 11 to allow students to get to and from religious education classes. Jim Andrews, a former Sherman city manager, brought the request to the council. He said church officials have agreed not to allow anyone to park on the closed street and will be responsible for putting up the road blocks and taking them down each Sunday.
The council also accepted the contract with Red River Construction Company, Inc. as complete for the 2010 Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements. The improvements included domes for the biological clarifiers and mixer improvements in the equalization basin. Final cost of the project is $1,423,514.
After an extensive closed executive session, the council agreed to put Sam Thorp and Joe Gilbert on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
