Fairfield Mayor Bobby Nichols began his monthly report with his visit to a board meeting of the Water District, which focused on a project in the works that would acquire several acres of Freestone County land for the purpose of creating Tehuacana Reservoir. This new reservoir would connect to, and expand, the Richland Chamber Creek Reservoir to supply water for Tarrant County residents.
In addition to providing flood land for the reservoir, additional acreage would be used to build approximately 100 wells for the purpose of pumping the water from Freestone to Tarrant County.
“I encourage everyone to get involved,” Mayor Nichols said. “Research the project and talk to your representatives. A lack of planning on their part does not warrant an emergency on our part.”
Next, he explained that he and Councilwoman Angela Oglesbee had been in meetings with P&W, who approved the design for the proposed project at the city park, and that the City can move forward regarding a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant Application to bring a new restroom to the playground and a small splash pad to the park.
This would be a 50/50 matching grant, meaning the grant would match the same amount that the City pays on the project. The proposed project would require the City to pay $150,000.
That would be matched by the grant, bringing the total to $300,000 for the full project cost.
Later in the meeting, the Council voted unanimously to approve an agreement between the City and MHS Planning and Design to move forward with applying for the grant.
Mayor Nichols finished by informing the Council and public that the bleachers at the sale barn had been updated by adding railing. He is also looking into a grant for handicap accommodations at the Sandlot Baseball/Softball fields.
Director of Public Works Clyde Woods reported that a systems test was performed on the six emergency sirens that are located throughout the City.
Of the six, only two are currently working.
Woods explained that the system is 20 years old and severely outdated. An upgrade is needed for the computer and software.
Director Woods is working on getting a quote for costs so the City can apply for a grant to get the much-needed update.
Councilman Arlin Thill asked Woods to see about looking into getting a drainage study for the City, saying “Things are getting much worse. We have a problem, and we’ve got to do something about it. If we fix roads before addressing drainage problems, then we will just be wasting taxpayers’ money.”
Chief of Police David Utsey informed the Council that the department is getting closer to having a Police K-9 Unit on the force.
Officer Silas will be training to handle the K-9 at little cost to taxpayers, thanks to donations. The K-9 should be ready to deploy sometime in July.
Chief Utsey also explained that the order for four new police vehicles has been summited, and preparations are in the works.
President of the EDC David Fowler informed the Council that Clay Structures is getting settled into the Industrial Park. The company will be offering its customers stone and brick and is purported to provide approximately $40,000 in sales tax in the next year. They also have plans to hire many employees to work in the new location.
Fowler also requested that the Mayor and Council sign a letter of support with TxDot for a request to remove a Denial of Access to the frontage road for I-45.
This would be for a project that’s in the works which includes 63 acres of land, currently owned by Stacy Dodd, that runs from the service road, back behind Jack in the Box, all the way down to Hotel Blue (next to McDonalds). Plans are to develop the land to offer potential retail growth and multi-use sites using one street to run from the frontage road.
Currently, there is an Access Denial Line on that property that would keep the project from having access to the frontage road, which would stop the project dead in its tracks.
The Texas Highway Commission can give access but would require political support.
The only other way to access the property would be from Highway 84, between Hotel Blue and Tractor Supply, but this would cause backup and congestion in that area.
Council unanimously voted to approve the request and will sign the letter.
A resolution was unanimously approved to allow routine road maintenance, including but not limited to, re-paving and street repair, without Public Works Projects Engineer Designs being required. Engineering would only be required for the rebuilding of streets.
The Council also unanimously approved a resolution to donate a vehicle to the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department.
This vehicle is considered a surplus and is not being used. The 2015 Ford LL truck will be utilized by the VFD to provide increased and efficient emergency services.
Finally, the council held an executive session for 30 minutes dealing with personnel matters (deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee: City Administrator). No action was taken on the matter.
Fairfield City Council hold their regularly scheduled meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 527 E. Commerce Street in Fairfield.
For more information, contact City Hall at 903-389-2633
(at top): Requesting a Letter of Support from Fairfield City Council regarding access to Interstate frontage road is Fairfield EDC President David Fowler. This would assist in the development of potential retail growth. (Photo by Nicole Schaefer)
