Call for fire donation a scam

During the El Dorado Springs City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 20, City Manager Bruce Rogers said that he had received a call from a citizen stating they had gotten a call asking for a donation for a the El Dorado Springs Fire Department. He said neither the city nor the Fire Department is making calls asking for donations and that this is a scam.

Several people were present at the council meeting on Monday to express various concerns and suggestions.

El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackson Tough thanked the city for his support for the Holiday Expo, Christmas Parade and lighting Ceremony. He said the events were well attended.

Glenda Baker asked if the city had an ordinance on trashcans being left out all week. She was told that the city didn’t have one. She said that maybe they should since the cans really looked unattractive. Mayor Brad True asked City Manager Rogers to look into it.

Ryan Foster said he had applied for re-zoning of property on Allison Rd. Foster wants to purchase property contingent on re-zoning to build storage units. He said the property is currently in need of clean up. He said both derelict buildings and the yard were on the city’s list of properties to clean up. He said he would like to purchase it and clean it up at no cost to the city. He said the Planning Commission met and denied the re-zoning based on comments by a couple of citizens that live adjacent to the property and the fact that there were already properties already zoned appropriately. Foster said that Aaron Smith, city building code enforcer, could not tell him if any of the other properties were for sale.

Foster said he had talked with both citizens. One did not want to help pay for the required fence and the other had a negative experience previous re-zoning of another adjacent property. Foster said he would pay for the fence and the survey and felt both parties were ok with the re-zoning after their discussion.

Rogers recommended tabling the resolution and he will contact the property owners to confirm they are not against the re-zoning and potential project before the council votes on the matter.

Cassie Sanders, Kasinger Basin Regional Planning Commission, said she was working on the Cedar County Hazard Mitigation Plan. She said the next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 30 in the El Dorado Springs Civic Center. Sanders said the plan must be updated every five years and is due March of 2018. She said that the council and the public are invited to attend the next meeting. She also said if the city does not participate in the plan they will not be eligible for FEMA or SEMA mitigation grants.

All council members were present: Mayor True, Jim Luster, Nick Bland, Randy Bland and Jerry Baldwin. Also present were Rogers and City Clerk Lisa Allison.

Rogers said that Dan and Melinda Wisser have petitioned the city to close and vacate the alley running east and west between 305 and 307 N. Main. Rogers said there was a utility pole that would be required to be moved if the vacation takes place. He said the cost of materials only would run about $500.  Rogers said he would suggest tabling the request and asked the property owners to come a to a meeting and discuss their plans for their property and see if they are willing to pay the expenses to reroute the electric service and pole if the city is in favor of vacating the alley. The city tabled the request.

There was another petition to close and vacate the west 436 ft. of Walnut Street between Block 18 and 19 of Cruces West Addition and the east/west alley between Block 8 and 18 of the Cruces West addition as requested by property owners Francis and Nancy Taylor. Rogers said the owners are from out of state and have problems with people vandalizing the property. The property is a platted right of way and alley. Rogers said the property will never be developed and the owner would like to tear down the existing house and to construct a fence around the property. The council approved the request and Rogers said an ordinance will be prepared for the next meeting.

During the city managers report, Rogers commented the water tower painting work is underway. He said that the El Dorado Springs Optimist Club has approached him about putting a Bulldog logo on the tower.

He said that the substation contractors are working on the concrete and footing and have the poles up.

Rogers said the bid opening for the new well has been moved to Nov. 30.

Rogers said the Department of Transportation has authorized the process of getting the easements from property owners for the sidewalk project and that work will begin soon.

Leaf pick up is next week and there will be another pick up the week of Dec. 11.

R. Bland asked about any new properties identified for repair of tear down. Rogers said that he has about 28 folders and is in the process of prioritizing and getting O and E reports to begin the process. R. Bland also asked bout the property behind Resthaven that has all the vehicles. Rogers said Jennipher Buller is working on it.