Quinlan Regulates Metal Purchases To Stem Theft

Editor

The Quinlan City Council set policies Monday night to regulate purchases of metal by recycling businesses.

The ordinance received unanimous approval. The policy states that "the theft of metal properties has risen significantly in the last year and causes undue harm, loss of property and considerable hardships for victims and others…"

The ordinance states the level of crime resulted in significant manhours by Quinlan police officers and associated administrative backup.

The new policy spells out signage requirements by businesses for sellers and requires records to be kept of each purchase including a photograph of the regulated material, vehicle information, affidavit of ownership, photograph of seller and right thumb print.

Penalties for violations increase for multiple offenses.

Councilman R.W. Oliver asked a resolution be placed on the next agenda asking Hunt County to join the city in the regulation.

In line with earlier council discussions, City Consultant Billy Green listed projects that needed to be completed in Quinlan in the future and their projected cost.

The list includes Greenway Drainage Project, $10,000; drainage in various parts of town, $40,000; Elm Street waterline replacement, $56,000;

Northside waterline replacement, $30,000; Shady Oaks water line to loop the system, $15,000; West First street waterline replacement, $30,000; Business Highway 34 sewer line replacement, $12,000;

Gin and Picadilly Street, replace water line in alley, $20,000; rehabilitate brick manholes, undetermined;

Street repairs 2007-08, $252,000; street repairs, 2008-09, $252,000;

Sewer plant maintenance — problems with two blowers,

$100,000; structural problems plant No. 1, undetermined; need secure facility for lab equipment, $10,000; and public works shop to secure equipment and tools, undetermined;

New backhoe, $70,000; new police car, $33,000;

Expenses not covered by grant for new water tower — lines connecting to Combined Consumers or Cash water (to meet TCEQ requirement of 0.6 gpm), undetermined; and

Replacement of old water meters, $140,000; and paint water tank at Shady Oaks, $10,000.

• No action was taken on an agenda item that listed Charles Byrd’s request for a bingo hall. Byrd did not appear at the meeting.

• Approval was given to BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas as the health insurance provider for city employees.

• Approval was given to an ordinance adopting the North Central Texas of Governments Public Works Construction Standards.

• Mary Bullard spoke during citizens comments about the possibility of requesting voluntary annexation into the city of her produce business located on Quinlan Parkway.

• In his report to the council, City Consultant Green said plant No. 1 was down again because of gears again.

Unlike a similar problem recently when a replacement was located in another state, Green said one would have to be made by a machine shop that would take about three weeks and another week to repair.

He said a sewer plant inspection by the state had been set for March 18 when he said the city would attempt to be released from enforcement.

Green reported that the Huffines company representatives had been in touch with him again about their request for release of the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction on land west of Quinlan they plan to develop.

A list of items needed before considering the request was given at the last meeting by the council to the company.

Green said the city had received the $27,000 for flood reparations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

• Green said that in line with the county’s lifting the burn ban earlier Monday, the city would begin issuing burn permits.

• Councilman Richard Whitehead who serves on the Quinlan Economic Development Corporation reported the EDC had agreed to spend $12,000 on lift station repairs.

• Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department reported answering 151 calls in January and 116 in February. Councilwoman Carolyn Strickland confirmed that a deed had been found since the last meeting that showed the city had transferred ownership of the lot to the fire department where the station was located.

• All council members and Mayor Sharon Royal were present.