Courtesy Photo
Gun Barrel City Assistant Fire Chief Jason Raney (from left), displays the plaque presented to him during the Oct. 25 city council meeting. His wife, Mickie Raney and son Captain Jake Raney help display the plaque. 

GUN BARREL CITY–During the regular Gun Barrel City Council meeting Oct. 25 the council voted to decline the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake’s (HSCCL) request to continue the contract at $49,200 annually from $19,200 annually. 
City Manager Jeff Arsnwald stated that he did not believe that HSCCL acted fairly when they negotiated a lower rate for the City of Kaufman but would not negotiate at all with Gun Barrel City. HSCCL Board Vice President Kirsten Kirlin who was present during the meeting stated that HSCCL did not negotiate with the City of Kaufman and instead offered a concession amount.  
HSCCL maintains that Gun Barrel City’s portion has always been higher than what the city has contractually paid but that the city has been “extremely lucky in that private donors or citizens contributed to the city’s costs.” 
Council Members Ken Foster and Rita Evans felt that the city should go forward with paying the costs to the HSCCL. Foster said that there was “great diversity with numbers and opinions” but saw this as a great opportunity to work with surrounding cities. Foster also felt that Gun Barrel City should continue to look at solutions within the city. 
Mayor David Skains disputed the number of animals that have been taken to HSCCL stating it was 99 animals brought to HSCCL not the 125 that Kirlin documented. After several questions and answers, both parties became frustrated. Kirlin told the council that the facility runs at a deficit. Skains wanted to know if the shelter runs on a deficit why their 2020 tax documents show a $346,000 carry over. “I would have to get with Teresa (Cryer) our accountant who is also on the board,” stated Kirlin. Council Member Richard Yaws stated that, “The cost of this has gone up 800% and during that same time that the cost has gone up 800%, we have decreased the number of animals that have gone over there substanstially,” said Yaws. He asked Kirlin, “How is it costing more to service fewer animals?” After several questions and answers, both parties became frustrated. Council Member Richard Yaws made the motion to decline HSCCL’s request with Council Member Cindy Key seconding the motion. With two votes no by Foster and Evans and three votes yes, the motion was carried to decline the payment. 
Skains said that a special meeting would be set up to discuss animal control for the city. 
Also covered during the meeting, was an employee recognition for Assistant Fire Chief Jason Raney. Raney was honored for his 30 years of service with the Gun Barrel City Fire Department. Skains marked the occasion with the reading of a proclamation and presentation of a large plaque displaying a fireman’s axe. 
In other business, council members:
• Tabled the latest proposal from North Texas Fiber. 
• Approved the adoption of Resolution No. R-2022-017 recognizing the week of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11 as Municipal Court week. 
• Approved moving the Tuesday, Nov. 22 regular council meeting to Tuesday, Nov. 15 and the Tuesday, Dec. 27 regular council meeting to Tuesday, Dec. 20. 
• Adopted Ordinance No. O-2022-021 amending Ordinance No. O-2022-018 which adopted the 2022-23 FY budget to increase the 2022 fund balance and expenditures by $100,000 and move the additional 2021-22 fund balance of $120,000 to the capital improvement fund account for the purchase of three half ton pickup trucks. 
• Approved the replatting of lots 3-22 and 25-35 creating eight lots, lots 3-R, 6-R, 9-R, 12-R, 15-R, 17-R, 19-R and 21-R in the Sundrift subdivision belonging to MRJ Ventures I, L.P. 
• Approved the adoption of Ordinance No. O-2022-020 amending Section 156.038 (Recreational Vehicle Park District RVP-1)
• Approved Resolution No. R-2022-16 approving the Economic Development Corporation’s 2022-23 fiscal year budget. 
• Approved Resolution No. R-2022-014 approving a renovation grant and performance agreement to Napps Properties, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $7,728.30.
• Approved Resolution No. R-2022-015 approving a renovation grant and performance agreement to Napps Properties, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $15, 426.77. 
• Approved the proposed EDC Lease Agreement for the property known as 1720 West Main Street, Gun Barrel City. 
• Approved a “no cost” lease agreement with the City of Gun Barrel City as related to the property having a legal description of “Acres 8.101, AB 794 G. T. Walters Sur, Mid Cities Prop, BLK B Lts 5, 6 & N/PT of lot 7. 
• Approved the proposed maintenance agreement for Big Chief and Church Street property.