Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session November 4 and regular meeting held on Monday, November 10. The meeting was moved up a day due to Veterans Day, November 11.
Final Downtown Development Authority member appointed: The city council appointed Jordan DuPont as the final board member of the Downtown Development Authority at the October meeting. Du-Pont’s appointment will expire in 2029.
In September, the city council unanimously voted to create a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) with the power to buy, hold, lease and sell property for the purpose of revitalizing/maintaining a central business district within the city limits. The council also approved the appointment of six individuals to comprise the DDA’s board, each serving until such time as “a successor is duly appointed and qualified.”
BPD, Sheriff’s Office and BOE data sharing: The city council unanimously voted to renew the yearly memorandum of understanding between the Blackshear Police Department (BPD), the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Pierce County Board of Education (BOE). Essentially a data sharing agreement designed to keep area schools safe, the memorandum details how the two law enforcement agencies share info with the BOE about incidents involving minors and ensures compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Engineer of record appointed for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant: The city council unanimously approved the appointment of Hofstadter & Associates, Inc. as the engineer of record for the grant provided by the EPA to aid in completion of the County Farm Road well project.
Proposals from candidates were publicly solicited, received and evaluated based upon qualifications, experience and project approach. Hofstadter & Associates, Inc. received the highest overall score on the qualification evaluation forms and according to the council resolution “has demonstrated extensive experience in water system engineering and fede rally-funded infrastructure projects.”
Rezoning on Main Street: Prior to next month’s legally required public hearing, the city council held its first reading for the proposed rezoning of 1.54 acres located at 954 East Main Street. The parcel is proposed to be rezoned from single family residential to multi-family residential. Property owner Macdaddy Investments, LLC, plans to build a multi-unit rental property on the location, a duplex or possibly larger. The public hearing will be held at 4 p.m. December 2 before the city council work session
Alcohol License renewals: City of Blackshear policy states that no alcohol licenses will be automatically renewed and that each license holder will reapply for approval each year. Jack Rabbit Food Mart, Walgreens, J. Leonard’s, Z Food Mart, Circle K at 3359 West Highway 84, Circle K at 114 Gordon Street, G&S Foodmart, Mike’s Package Store, N&R Food Mart, Pierce County Veterans, Inc., Whistle Stop Package, LaOrquidea, GX Market, Smoke House 84, Jalapeños Mexican Food and Mattox Food Mart have all submitted applications to the city by November 7 deadline for alcohol business licenses for the calendar year 2026.
Department Reports
Blackshear Police Dept. (BPD) Report: BPD reported 19 vehicular accidents in the month of October, four with injuries. Twenty-two warnings and 115 citations, including 1 ordinance violation were recorded. There were also 4 arrests, 2 adults and 2 juveniles, which is an 80% decrease compared to October 2024. Burglaries and theft from automobiles have increased compared to the same period last year.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept (BFD) Report: BFD responded to, assisted with or were on standby for 38 different events in October, including one downed power line, an incidence of unauthorized burning and a malicious triggering of a fire alarm. BFD workers and volunteers also completed a total of 202 cumulative hours of activities and training.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the department conducted 15 water service repairs, 1 meter replacement, 2 meter box or meter lid replacements and 5 sewer service repairs. There were 4 water and sewer locates and 65 leak checks, locating 50. There were also 25 read checks, 60 cut offs, 42 cut back on and 22 new customers. Three incidences of consumer tampering occurred during the reporting period. Public works also performed routine grass maintenance, replaced damaged street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes and performed routine limb trimming. Public works also performed routine grass maintenance at the city cemetery.
Main Street Program: The Main Street/Better Hometown program filed no reports for the month of October.
Senior Center: There was no one present to deliver the monthly update on senior center activity. A report should be forthcoming in November.
Attendance: Mayor Keith Brooks, city attorney Adam Ferrell, and all council members were in attendance for the work session, but Ferrell and councilman Theodore Mackey were not present for the regular session.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session, meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 2 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 9.
