The City of Sundown City Council held their regular meeting Tuesday evening, resulting in the approval of two ordinances, a library update and presentation of the annual audit.
City Administrator Billy Hernandez explained that in previous discussions with city staff and the council, the collective are trying to address travel trailers being placed in backyards of Sundown residents who have individuals residing inside those trailers.
“If someone is living in those travel trailers in someone’s backyard, that is extra burden on our infrastructure,” said Hernandez. “Whether that be water or sewer system. We feel that is another dwelling and that dwelling should also pay to cover those utilities as well.”
Addressing the council, Hernandez explained that the plan is to not meter those individuals, but to impose a minimum charge on those individuals dwelling within a travel trailer located in residents backyard’s.
It was also explained that the ordinance does not pertain to the current RV park located in Sundown as they already cover a fee for that business.
Hernandez says that individuals living in that circumstance are already against ordinance, but the approval of Ordinance No. 592, Utility Fee, RV, Manufactured Homes is how the city will allow that living situation to be approved.
“The ordinance already in place addresses this issue with both dwellings needing separate taps, but for those who are not going to do so, this is a remedy they can pursue to be compliant,” said Hernandez.
The council asked if there will be any type of code enforcement or individual who will be in charge of forcing that moving forward.
Hernandez added that if it noticeable there is another dwelling located behind a residence that is something they can move forward on, but he explained to the group that peaking over fences and intruding on private property was not an option.
He added further discussion between council and staff would be needed to find the proper procedure.
The council unanimously agreed to move forward with implementing the ordinance.
Hernandez moved forward with presenting Ordinance No. 593, Manufactured Home Permits.
“We’re trying to eliminate the older mobile homes moving into town, but if they are already here, they are here,” said Hernandez. “If they are already here and setup, they can stay here. They are already grandfathered in.”
According to the ordinance, now that the city is not doing mobile homes, but are focusing on manufactured homes, they cannot be brought into the city if they are older than 25 years.
If a mobile home that is already placed in town decides to disconnect and move to another part of the town, that will not be allowed as well.
After further discussion, the council unanimously agreed to approve the ordinance.
A library update was given to the council concerning construction and additional news.
Library Director A’ndrea McAdams told council June has been a busy month for the library.
With a total of 13 Summer reading programs, those have been in full affect.
McAdams said the library had over 223 visitors over the past month which is four times what their normal count is.
She thanked the council, Hernandez and staff for the contracts signed this month which was a total of three.
McAdams presented rendering boards of the library design to the council and public in attendance. The council shared their enthusiasm with McAdams as she walked through what the design layout and special features planned for the space.
Touching on a few key spaces, there will be an outdoor patio area, public computer area, a large meeting area, children’s area and esports area.
A report from the public works department detailed the city has been tackling several areas of work such as the city pool and parks.
A water break at the city pool required work over the past weekend, with city workers patching the area and ensuring it is safe for use. Work on the pool can be expected to be finished soon.
Additionally, the city’s sewer plant has had recurring electrical issues and meetings between city officials and electricians were set to start in order to develop a fix.
The city has agreed on a partnership with a new company to provide their seal coating services, which are expected to begin towards the end of August.
The Sundown Fire Department gave a report to the council regarding their recent activities.
The department informed the group that they have had mechanical failures they have had to battle. A service trucks is inoperable currently, but parts to fix it have been ordered. They also reported that grant funds are being pursued for new sets of bunker gear, and the possibility of a new brush truck.