Appreciation, fleet management, animal control top Whitesboro City Council agenda

Last week’s Whitesboro City Council meeting began with a note of thanks from community member Tom Leach. 

In this season of gratitude, Leach proceeded to publicly thank city leaders, city staff and boards, the Economic Development Corporation, local businesses and organizations, the school board, local churches, civic groups and even the local newspaper. He ended his message with the scripture Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Moving on to city business, City Administrator Phil Harris recommended the Council consider using Enterprise Fleet Management (EFM) for all city vehicles. EFM Senior Consultant Nick Hardwick gave a presentation to the council and all in attendance highlighting the benefits and features of the EFM program.

Enterprise works with businesses, organizations and municipalities to help manage their vehicle fleets more efficiently. Through analytics and expertise, Enterprise can analyze the city’s fleet needs (we currently have 46 vehicles in our city fleet), handle vehicle acquisition, manage maintenance and fuel and handle the resale of those vehicles.

The City would pay a monthly fee for these management services while lowering overall costs and reducing administrative burden.

At the conclusion of Hardwick’s presentation, the Council approved Harris to move forward with Enterprise Fleet Management.

Council also discussed Ordinance 1252 regarding Animal Control. There was a “dangerous dog” component that needed to be addressed to ensure the city is in compliance with state law. An animal that has been identified as a “dangerous dog” (if it has bit a person) needs to be removed if certain requirements are not met (insurance, fencing, microchipping, etc.) As of now, there is only one dog in town that has been identified as such, and those requirements have been met.

On the topic of Animal Control, Harris said that the feral cat program initiated last month is going well. They have filled 14 of the 15 slots to have feral cats captured for spay/neuter services. According to Harris, the next thing the City may have to address is the expectations regarding the prevention of feeding stray cats in town.

The council held a public hearing regarding amendments to the current zoning ordinance, which city leaders have found to be contradictory and contractors have found difficult to navigate. The ordinance has been more clearly defined with some adjustments made. 

For instance, all single-family homes will now be required to have a two-car garage. City Inspector Dalton Fallaw said the city has received so many variances for carports, he feels this adjustment will be better for citizens. 

Another adjustment helps to regulate properties used for Airbnb’s, like how many are allowed per street and per capita and how those properties can be tracked. 

Also, all commercial lots in conjunction with residential properties will need a bigger buffer zone for commercial lighting.

The proposed amendments to the ordinance were approved by City Council.

The Council also approved the following:
- Changing the PCA for the month of November from .01197 to .0197
- Authorizing the City Administrator to sign a proposal with Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists for the purchase of an aerial apparatus (ladder truck) for the Whitesboro Fire Department. (The City of Laredo had claimed the apparatus but then withdrew from the agreement. The City of Whitesboro has decided to purchase the vehicle, which can help with anything from single-story neighbor fire prevention to a three-story apartment fire.)
- Appointing Alderman Su Welch to the ex-officio position on the EDC/IDC boards left vacant by Alderman John Moore’s resignation.
- Pay Landmark Structures $735,941.25 toward the water tower.
- Pay Performance Services $1,084,503.40 toward new street lights and manholes throughout town.
- Partnership with Cross Connection to improve the safety and use of local water, especially regarding back flow protection with commercial properties.
- Table the decision for a nominee to the Board of Directors of the Grayson County Central Appraisal District 2026-2029.

During Citizens to Be Heard, local woman Joey Ridener addressed the council to share concerns about the traffic and street parking on Jordan Street during school hours. She said that with cars parking on the street, there is barely enough room for cars to drive past each other. She asked the council to consider extending “No Parking” signs to this section of the road for the hours of 7 a.m.-4 p.m. to help alleviate congestion and make the roadway safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. Alderman Mike Pack agreed that something needed to be done in that area.

The council went into Executive Session to discuss filling the alderman position left vacant by the Sept. 30 resignation of Alderman Moore. Upon returning to Open Session, they unanimously appointed David Bertino to the role.