Lewis, Canton council talk First Monday problems

The Canton City Council met Tuesday, Feb. 20 during an onslaught of bad weather and torrential waves of rain. A lengthy agenda was on tap for council members, leading to a three-hour council meeting before business was complete.

Vendor and traffic issues on First Monday grounds have continued to be a topic of discussion amongst councilmembers. Concerns stemming from previous council meetings were discussed, including problems created by vendors that are not city vendors, including traffic congestion and parking difficulties. City and Arbor vendors/shoppers enter and exit at the main gate.

City officials remarked that congestion occurs at the FM Trade Days Main Gate during busier months. Staff proposals were to turn Row 1 into an entrance row and Row 3 into an exit row.

A petition was presented to the council by Attorney Ricky Ray, who represents Henry Lewis, regarding First Monday vendors.

“My forte is the courtroom; I prefer we don’t see that alternative. I think there is probably some mediators that might be excellent to try and see if there is a workable solution,” stated Ray. Martha Jane Wallace also spoke on the topic, saying that they were “willing to negotiate the problem.” Wallace, who manages the Lewis First Monday Arbors property, requested to “come to an agreement for vendors to use the same access to the property they have used since the property was bought.” Henry Lewis said that he wanted to “try and make it work,” regarding an agreement with the city.

Mill Creek RV Park and Cottage Resort

The council discussed, at length, an ordinance that would amend the planned development for Mill Creek RV Park and Cottage Resort. According to City Secretary Debra Johnson, the Planning and Zoning board had approved the proposed ordinance. The new ordinance would call for 130 cottage spaces and 100 RV spaces, along with changes to lease lengths.  The new ordinance would allow cottage sites to be leased for variable terms not to exceed five years and RV tenants may stay up to 180 days and must leave the premises for 14 days before entering into a new lease. Other changes included the operation of a general store, food store and recreational and sports stores along with personal services to sell related goods.    City Manager Lonny Cluck said he had some concerns with the “terminology” used in the ordinance.   No action was taken on the ordinance by the council.

In other business:

—Mayor Lou Ann Everett announced that March 2 will be recognized as Texas Independence Day and proclaimed February as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month. Mayor Everett recognized Olivia Reed, who is battling a congenital heart defect, and her mother, Jennifer Reed.

—Approved the June and July 2017 financial reports and approved the Jan. 22, 2018, meeting minutes;

—Took no action on a withdrawn request by Danny Etheridge concerning sewer service;

—Approved retired teacher Elaine Hubbard and American National Bank commercial lender Lance Simmons for two year terms on the Main Street Advisory Board;

—the council discussed the future use of the vacant lot in front of Canton City Hall. Canton CEDC has requested use of the space for events such as a Farmers’ Market and other community events. The property is leased from the Pohl family. Councilmember Shawn Stewart suggested that it be used for a parking lot during First Monday. Councilmember Connie Odic remarked that she would “like to see the space used for something other than a parking lot.” After discussion with CEDC Director Julie Seymore, the council approved a motion to allow Canton Main Street the use of the vacant lot for a Farmers’ Market and for other events.

—Approved an amended plat for Deer Meadows subdivision. The amended plat corrects a discrepancy between the plan document and plat.  The discrepancy was a scrivener’s error and the error is the only change that was allowed under the amended plat. The error concerns the distance of side setbacks.

—Discussed adding an additional recycling bin. City Manager Andy Wolfe suggested an alternate solution, adding that the company who picks up the recycling bin pick it up twice a week or schedule one weekly and a pick up as needed. The council agreed to try Wolfe’s solution before adding a second recycling bin;

— The council considered the use of proceeds from a bond for road improvements. The city had obtained $3 million for road improvements and approximately $200,000 would be left over after the project was completed. Councilmembers discussed several streets that needed improvements, but wanted input from streets department. No action was taken;

—An ordinance was adopted amending the 2017-’18 fee schedule. The ordinance omits the fee for contractor registration upon advice of the building inspector. The ordinance requires the contractors to still register with the city annually, but there will be no fee;

—An ordinance was adopting that prohibits bow fishing of carp in city lakes. The ordinance specifies that no bow fishing of carp will be allowed in any city-owned lakes. Assistant City Manager Wolfe stated that the ordinance will “help prevent the depletion of grass carp that was added to help control plant growth,”;

—Heard from Canton Municipal Court Judge Lelia Durham regarding clearing municipal court warrants. The council discussed ways to help expedite the clearing of warrants. Judge Durham presented a pie chart displaying a warrant balance per year, which revealed a$645,039.63 of unpaid warrants;

—Discussed the allowance of storage containers on residential property. No action was taken on the item;

—Approved a contract with Pyro Shows for the July 4, 2018, fireworks display. The show will cost the city $13,300. The show will be July 4 with Saturday, July 7 set as an alternate date.

See next week’s addition of the Canton Herald on information presented to the council concerning the Saline Creek Lake project, alcohol on First Monday grounds and upcoming events and ideas presented to the council by the CEDC and Canton Main Street Board.