Oak Point mayor resigns; position to be on May ballot
By LAURA CHILDRESS

With plans to move to Dallas this spring, Tom Kanuch resigned as Oak Point mayor Monday.

Elected unopposed last May, after serving four years as mayor pro-tem and on the council, Kanuch noted he was resigning now to allow the position to be included in the May election.

"It's been a wonderful five years," he said.

A 14-year resident of the city, Kanuch noted he was proud of serving on a council that had stuck to the community's desire for one home per acre, seen the ISO rating increase dramatically and reduced the tax rate.

Kanuch's resignation was reluctantly accepted.

Residents wishing to file for the mayor's position on the May ballot have until March 4 to do so.

Mayor pro-tem Jim Wohletz will serve in the interim.

The council also approved a continued annual maintenance contract requirement for residents with aerobic sewer systems.

The state recently waived the requirement, allowing residents to become certified and maintain their own systems.

While resident Joe Stringer noted his opposition to the ordinance, which requires a TCEQ certified maintenance provider to conduct periodic inspections, the council noted that the ordinance does allow for the homeowner to gain the necessary certification.

Public works director Mike Sloggett said he was in favor of the ordinance and thought it necessary as good stewards of the community.

"It needs to be watched," he said. "It doesn't just need to be let go.” The council also received an update on the progress of Oak Point Elementary from assistant superintendent Kent Crutsinger.

Despite losing 46 days to weather over the summer, Crutsinger said the district is anticipating completion of construction in April and should be ready to go in August.

Furniture is scheduled to be delivered at the end of May, with the principal hoping to be on-site around the first of June.

"We're on time and under budget," Crutsinger said.

He added that the campus is expected to open with a projected enrollment of between 370 and 390 students, although a kindergarten round-up in May could clarify that figure.

The campus will have a maximum capacity of 750.

As for traffic concerns on Shahan Prairie, Crutsinger said the district has taken measures to alleviate as much as possible.

"We have a good ring around the campus -- the longest in the district -- and it should take a lot of traffic off Shahan," he said.

"We're excited about being in your neighborhood," he added.

In other business, the council:

* Called the May council election and special election for mayor. Three council positions will be up for election, those currently held by Leslie Maynard, Jim Almond and Judith Camp. The deadline for filing for council is March 10.

* Approved the consent agenda, consisting of the minutes of the Jan. 21 council meeting; monthly municipal court, finance, DPS and public works reports; a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Denton County regarding rental of election equipment and purchase of election supplies and programming services; and ordinances regarding a petition by Oncor Electric to modify its lighting service tariff, establishing a system for securing the construction and financing of sanitary sewer improvements within the city and adoption of certain North Central Texas Council of Governments recommended uniform codes.

* Received an update on the Midway rate increase appeal. A preliminary hearing is scheduled April 8 and City Manager Richard Martin will be in attendance.

* Reviewed proposed community room rates, then referred the rate structure to the Oak Point Empowering Neighbors Commission for input and consideration.

* Received a request from Allied Waste to consolidate garbage, recycling and bulk pick-up on Fridays.

Residents noted their opposition.