Snyder City Council members approved a Development Corporation of Snyder (DCOS) small business grant program and learned about restrictions on using city funds to assist small businesses.
The city’s attorney, Bryan Guymon, said cities are limited by the Texas Constitution and said that actions were limited to assistance such as not turning off utilities if customers are past due, waiving late fees and approving projects like the DCOS Operation Snyder Thrives grant program.
The DCOS program will award 20 grants of $2,000 to small businesses to use on marketing and other expenses.
Applications for the program will be available on the DCOS website Monday morning, according to DCOS executive director Brooke Proctor.
On a split vote, council members extended the city’s disaster declaration by a 3-1 vote.
Council member Sarah Jamison expressed concern about the word “additional” in the following paragraph in the order; …that due to the issuance of Executive Order GA-21 and pursuant to Texas Government Code §418.108, the City Council believes it to be in the best interest of the City and its citizens, in order to protect and preserve the public health, safety and welfare, that additional measures must to taken to further contain COVID-19 and prevent its spread throughout the City of Snyder.”
Jamison voted against the extension, which will be in effect until just before midnight on May 21.
Council members approved several recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, including a rezoning application for a tract at 1922 22nd Street that will change the property from residential to commercial, a minor replat of a residential lot and a major replat of Varsity Square that will open the door for a Golden Chick at the corner of 30th Street and College Ave.
The council also approved Snyder Mayor Tony Wofford’s recommendation of adding Cody Wall to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Wall will replace long-time member and chairman Bob Martin, who recently resigned from the commission.
Council members also approved a resolution denying Oncor’s request for a rate increase and the first vote on an ordinance changing rates for mowing/cutting of overgrown lots.
The existing rate is 10 cents per square foot. The new rates will be a rate schedule that is based on a range of square footage.
Zoning Administrator Zach Rollins said the new rate structure would lead to lower average bills, which he hoped would lead to a higher payment rate.
He said the average mowing bill would be about $350 lower.
The council also approved spending $865 per employee per month, the same as the current amount, for employee health insurance coverage through the Texas Municipal League.
The city spends about $913,00 per year on employee health insurance.
The council discussed sealcoating projects.
The city is currently going out for bids for materials and will compare prices for hiring an outside company rather than working with county crews on the sealcoating projects. The bids will be presented at the council’s June meeting.