05/06/2019-CC-Minutes-Work SessionCITY OF SANGER, TEXAS
MINUTES: CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 6, 2019 – 6:00 PM
502 Elm Street, Sanger, Texas
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Gary Bilyeu; Councilman Bill
Boutwell; Councilman Lee Allison; Councilman Allen Chick; Councilman David Clark.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
The Mayor and all five (5) Council Members were present constituting a quorum.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Alina Ciocan; Public Works Director Jim Berman;
Economic Development Director Shani Bradshaw; Director of Development Services Ramie
Hammonds; City Engineer Tracy LaPiene; City Secretary Cheryl Price.
1. Call Meeting to Order.
Mayor Muir called the Work Session to order at 6:01 PM on May 6, 2019.
2. Presentation on Pipe Bursting Technology Presented by Director of Public Works Jim
Berman.
Director of Public Works Jim Berman provided information on pipe bursting technology with a
PowerPoint presentation and a video showing the procedure. He noted that this is not new
technology, but it may be new to Sanger. Basically, pipe bursting is breaking up an existing pipe
and putting another one in its place. The new line is pulled through from one manhole to the other,
it comes in several pieces and it is fused together so it is one solid seamless continuous pipe. This
procedure will allow us to get into tight areas without ripping up excess infrastructure. With
minimal disturbance we will be able to keep traffic flowing. Mr. Berman provided photos and
videos of the technology. Mr. Berman noted we would upsize the pipe from six inches (6“) to eight
inches (8”) and it will have a 100-year lifespan. He proposed to use it on our old City clay-tile
lines and that they are putting in four new manholes. Alina Ciocan City Manager noted there is an
item on the agenda tonight using this technology. There was brief discussion and a few questions
regarding details of the procedure.
3. Discussion on Aesthetics Design as it Relates to Upcoming IH-35 Expansion Presented by
Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds.
Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds was recognized. She advised, as everyone
knows, we have FM 455 and IH-35 coming through Sanger. TxDOT has indicated that they will
stamp our bridges and retaining walls with design. She noted this could put a stamp on Sanger
with an idea of the City is about. One of the things TxDOT stressed to them is that we are unique
and we would want something that shows that we are Sanger. Per TxDOT, paint and cast concrete
are not that expensive and they may be able to absorb the cost into the projects, so this will be at
little to possibly no cost to the City. She provided some of the standard generic walls and some
examples. She noted some examples from other cities and ideas that staff has come up with to
provide ideas. We are on a time crunch and TxDOT will need to know what we want by June. She
stated that that staff is bringing this before Council for some direction. What do you see Sanger as,
why do people come to Sanger, and what do they recognize us for. This is a chance to add some of
the character to our City. This is a great opportunity to get this done and make it attractive and
unique for Sanger. Director of Economic Development Shani Bradshaw was recognized.
Mayor Muir provided his thoughts in that he believed it should be something timeless. Something
clean so that no matter how big or small, sophisticated or rural we are that it needs to stand the test
of time. He noted that he liked the idea of the circle “S” Stamp, perhaps lighted like UNT’s or
something along those lines. He noted the mural at the entryway to the City and that there would
be several citizens, including the Keep Sanger Beautiful and historical groups that would like to it
preserved to some point. He noted they were rebuilding the walkway over the road and that
perhaps some of it could be preserved and put in that area. Maybe some conversation of
painting/stamping parts of that mural at crosswalk so that some of that history is preserved.
Ms. Hammonds noted the intersections FM 455 and IH-35, Keaton, Belz, the crosswalk, would be
all a part of this project. She stated we can carry through a design on all of the bridges or have
different designs. It was noted that the design would be seen is if the drivers are exiting into or out
of Sanger.
Director of Development Services, Shani Bradshaw was recognized. She asked who is Sanger,
why do people come to Sanger. This is what you need to be thinking of as you are thinking of the
designs. She noted that she believes that Sanger is a lake city and that it was a major reason people
come to Sanger. The Sanger High School even has a fishing team. She noted that she feels that
Sanger should be using this to our advantage. There are quite a few fishing tournaments and the
State Parks provide a lot of wildlife. City Manager Alina Ciocan noted that staff is very excited
about this. We do have a ver y narrow window so whatever we decide will be there for the next 20
to 30 years and as such we want to make sure that whatever we choose is not defining us just today
but defining us in the years to come. It was noted that the existing mural was done on a State
Grant and since they gave it to us in the beginning that they do feel that they owe the City for it,
but staff is going to push for that. They have been very open and want the City of Sanger to look
nice. They have been working with Tina Massey and if we can get a design to her, they can get it
into the project at little or no cost to the City. It was noted that there would also be some sound
barriers and those would be key for people traveling IH-35 because they may actually be visible by
the people traveling IH-35. There was brief discussion about the different designs presented. It
was noted that there is a short time frame and the City needs to get them something by June. It
was discussed that they could bring it back to the next City Council meeting or the first meeting in
June. This would give Councilmembers some time to think about it. Ms. Hammonds noted that the
first of June may be cutting it pretty close but if we need until then we can make it work.
Mr. Berman asked for input from the Council as to whether this is the direction they were looking
for on the roads. There some discussion and it was noted that Bolivar did not fit in with these
improvements since it would take so much more money and would probably be a different kind of
project whether bonded or whatever in the future. He noted he would remove Bolivar from the
map. Councilman Chick noted some other roads which were in poor condition which led into
discussion regarding some other improvements that were planned and necessary in the future, but
were not currently in this five-year plan. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Berman for
bringing this information to them and that they looked forward to seeing these projects moving
forward.
4. Overview of Items on Regular Agenda.
No overview was discussed.
5. Adjourn.
There being no further business, Mayor Muir adjourned the Work Session at 6:51 PM.