Crockett Council Spars over Zoning
Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – Crockett City Council met Monday, July 21 to further their work on the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a look to protect the city’s water supply and control production and costs. The city’s Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Police and Fire Chiefs received their yearly performance evaluations in a closed part of the meeting.
The Messenger had earlier reported on a request from Crockett Police Department (CPD) Chief Clayton Smith to look at the police station, due to aging and no space for critical areas, such as an evidence room. Smith was asked to seek more concrete bids, be it to renovate or completely build a new police station, which he is in the process of doing.
CPD’s requests for consideration in the city budget were:
Build new police station – $1,500,000 or
Expand & refurbish current police station – $637,500
Purchase new radio equipment – $100,000 to $200,000 (depending on options)
Increase officer salary and certificate pay – $ Varies
New patrol vehicles – $$72,000 – $82,000
Smith presented CPD’s activity report for June, listing 424 calls, 43 arrests, six crashes and 77 reports filed. He reported a roster of 16 officers who put in 2,527 man-hours for the month. Smith was asked about the recent increase in DPS (Department of Public Safety) officers in the area. For more detail, please see related story in today’s edition.
Crockett Fire Department (CFD) Chief Jason Frizzell had requested to add a new firefighter position and related gear – $78,500. CFD’s numbers for a wet June continued to fall, working 27 calls in the city and assisting with another 13 in the county. The dry summers seen the past several years would normally see the department working many more calls, but the soggy season has kept a lid on grass and wild fires.
On behalf of the city administration, Crockett City Administrator John Angerstein had requested council consider several options, including cost of living increases for city staff, repairs at both the civic center and ag arena, and refurbishments to city council chamber.
Gerald Colter from the city’s public works department asked council members to consider the purchase of a padfoot roller for street department – $70,000 and to rehabilitate wastewater lift station – $80,000.
The issue of zoning came up, regarding an area of land near Martin Luther Kind Blvd, where Angerstein told the council the city had allowed public houses to be built in what was originally set aside as a manufacturing area. He requested council to revert the area to residential use, given that there is no infrastructure in the area and all the streets are residential streets, anyway.
“You have a family member who lives in that area,” Precinct Thee Councilwoman NaTrenia Hicks told Angerstein. “If they ask to make any changes to that area, would you recuse yourself from making any decisions about that property?”
“Well, I am not a decision maker,” Angerstein answered. “I just present it to you and you all make the decisions. There is a family member purchasing a home through owner financing from my father but I stand nothing to gain or lose from this one way or the other.”
“You’re asking John to recuse himself?” Precinct Five Councilman Mike Marsh asked Hicks.
“He [John Angerstein] doesn’t vote,” interjected Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher.
“John doesn’t vote on this. He never makes a vote,” answered Marsh, raising his voice. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because the city charter,” Hicks began, holding the document up in one hand.
“The charter?” Marsh countered. “He [Angerstein] is just presenting this. That is a slap in the face.”
“The charter says, ‘employee,’ it doesn’t matter if you’re a council member,” answered Hicks.
“If I make a decision, yes, ma’am, but I’m not making a decision,” Angerstein offered.
“The question is, ‘would this influence him?’” Fisher said, cutting off debate. “It doesn’t influence him, because he doesn’t have a vote in it. The council are the only ones who have a vote in this.”
Angerstein noted the relationship was fully disclosed and during a public hearing on the matter held by the city’s planning and zoning committee, everyone who spoke on the issue spoke in favor of it.
Asst. City Manager Lee Standley read another letter from a resident, supporting the measure.
“Don’t get me wrong, I want to see if voted in,” Hicks said. “I was voted in by the constituents and they have a concern, I have to bring that concern forward.”
“You stated it and it has been addressed,” concluded the mayor.
While the area is now fully residential, Angerstein explained the area is officially restricted for new homes, but any loud or disruptive manufacturer could come into the area, affecting residents’ lives and property values.
Hicks read directly from the city charter, noting no employee could have direct or indirect interest in the sale of land, to or by the city, and doing so would constitute official malfeasance, any anyone guilty of such should lose their position.
“Who up here has that?” Marsh said, referring to a financial interest in the zoning change.
“He does,” Hicks answered, pointing toward Angerstein.
Angerstein and Marsh repeated there was no financial interest, and Precinct One Dennis Ivey asked if there had been any resident against the measure and Angerstein answered, “None.”
Fisher was able to calm the back and forth and get the meeting back on track, where Hicks herself moved to approve the zoning change, which was approved unanimously.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
