Manchester Council Meets at Community Building

Manchester’s mayor, council, staff, and those in attendance met at the Community Building June 9^th in order to ensure there was enough seating for all. In addition to this measure being taken due to fire safety codes, Manchester’s first piece of business on the agenda addressed safety and security updates for the city. The mayor and council approved the purchase of two walk-through metal detectors to be placed in City Hall and the municipal court. These detectors will cost $6,574 which City Manager Mark Pullium says S.P.L.O.S.T. funds can be used towards the coverage. These precautions are being placed after an anonymous tip before last month’s meeting that there was a risk of an individual becoming violent. Signs and clear bags will also be precautions considered going forward.

The moratorium for new signs was extended for an additional sixty days as the mayor and council finalize reviewing the sign ordinance. Changes to the ordinance include removing four types of signs and adapting the lighting for others.

City Staff have been hard at work in preparation for the July 2^nd Independence Day Celebration. Merchants and citizens have both donated to the cause with close to $10k in donations from businesses alone. These donations help reduce the cost coming from tax payer money. Food trucks and vendors are filling slots left and right, and the Manchester Development Authority has begun construction of a stage in front of the Manchester Mill.

Coach Chaz Cannon and members of the Manchester High School Track and Field finalists stood before the city Tuesday evening to be recognized for their achievements. Demauri Revell, Bronte Jones, Amoni Cooper, and Bill Ford all represented Manchester with high honors.

Coach Cannon thanked everyone for their support, prayers, and for Manchester Recreation to let them use their facilities as these young athletes trained on a grass field until a proper track is finished being built.

Impact fees will be discussed at the June 24^th work session regarding the Mountain Springs Development Project.

For those who were unable to attend the previous meeting for the rural zone application, you can voice your opinions on the Manchester City website until June 16^th. It was noted that there was a great turnout in person for the possibility to transform our historic downtown. There will be another meeting June 22^nd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 110 W. Main St. to gather more ideas and showcase the ones previously given for the direction of downtown.

Mayor Mark Trimble noted that the community building allows for more to attend meetings but asked that citizens be patient as they adjust to getting the sound right. The work session will still be held at city hall. He stated that the council is listening and hear Manchester crying for change. They will be looking into those changes, such as the ones regarding public comments that were established back in 1990.

Councilman Danny Wadsworth mentioned that he had a received a letter regarding commercial trash and sanitation issues down a back alley in town. While owners are responsible for cleaning outside of their stores, Wadsworth wants to ensure that garbage is not being left and overlooked by the sanitation company. Wadsworth also brought up concerns about the rising population of those who are homeless in the area.

Council member Delisha Hodo encouraged citizens to attend the upcoming Headstart meeting at Manchester Public Library on June 18^th at 5 p.m. There will be another held on June 27^th at 10:30 a.m. These meetings will provide resources and help bring Headstart to the local area.

With summer warming up, Hodo also wanted to spotlight several summer programs taking place. She even stated she is willing to sponsor children to do camps.

• The Huddle Youth Center is hosting Camp June Bug from June 22-26^th. This is a free camp.
• The Huddle Youth Center will be hosting their Summer of Champions Camp in July. This is a free camp.
• M.H.S. Basketball Camp will be held on June 20^th for children ages 5-12. This is a free camp.
• Soccer Clinic and Camp will be held June 22^nd for children in grades 1^st-12^th. This camp costs $15.
• M.H.S. Football Camp will be held July 11^th for free.
• Adult Softball will begin in July. The deadline to register through the recreation department is June 30^th.

City Manager Pullium informed the mayor and council that the G.E.F.A. loan for the galvanized pipes in Manchester was approved. In addition to this, the repairs to Big Lazar Creek will start soon. The water and sewage work to the Country Store and Wine Tasting have been completed and came in under budget. The City Manager commended Chief Jones of the Manchester Police Dept. for the work he has put in moving the department towards the Excellence in Policing Certification. Pullium also requested a quote regarding pothole repairs needed in the city.

Diane Spencer came before the mayor and council again to ask for an increase in communication between the city and it’s citizens so that they may feel more included and know what is going on. She stated that without attending meetings, citizens felt out of the loop and were not aware of what committees and departments are doing. She also stated that it was difficult to find such information on the city website and proposed making the interface more user friendly.

Brenda Pierson referenced Juneteeth to address a common topic we still have today. Back in Jan. 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared slaves to be freed. However, many in Texas did not know this information until two years later. This stresses the outcome of when information is not shared with all. When transparency is limited, trust does not last. Pierson wished to remind us that the principal remains the same today as it did back then.

Jabari Watson appeared before the council to address the state of the sidewalks and public areas covered in weeds and tree roots. He stated that not only was it a safety risk, but that it reflected the town poorly.

Meka Lowe spoke to the mayor and council, citing the Economic Opportunities Act that President Johnson signed in 1964. This act was to help underdeveloped rural areas with limited healthcare, education, and other resources. Lowe stated that we have the same problems now as in 1964, and that we should take advantage of the Community Action Agencies that were established to help communities such as Manchester.