Council Welcomes Two New Members,

The Groesbeck City Council entertained a larger audience than usual at their meeting on Tuesday, May 21, bearing witness to the swearing-in of two newly elected members of the council: Marcus McGruder and Pamela Gonner.
But first, City Administrator Chris Henson affirmed that the Golden Arches are coming to Groesbeck if a proposed re-plat for property inside the city limits by McDonald’s USA, LLC is any indication.
“As many of you have heard, we are on the edge of having McDonald’s in Groesbeck,” Henson said. “The property upon which they plan to put that had to be split. Because they subdivided the property, they’re required to get council approval for the plat; it’s simply because the property was divided. It’s an administerial duty because you really don’t have a reason to say no.”
Henson went on to show the council the plat map of the property and introduce two representatives from Ofi Chito, a third-party entitlement company representing McDonald’s. Danielle Carter offered to answer any questions, and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kim Harris asked when they plan to break ground. Carter responded that they hope to get started as soon as July 1.
The council approved McDonald’s LLC Plat. Following the meeting, Henson provided context on how the addition of a McDonald’s to Groesbeck was facilitated.
“This wouldn’t be happening if not for a local property owner saying ‘Hey, let me do something to help the city,’ and offering up their property for purchase and development (by McDonald’s). If I’m being honest, the city had next to nothing to do with it other than informing them what the requirements were and approving their permits and their plats. I wish we could take credit for bringing this in, but we can’t. I won’t name the property owner because he can do that when he feels compelled to but we are extremely grateful that he did what he did.”
(Watch The Journal for a more comprehensive article on McDonald’s coming to town and what kind of businesses the Groesbeck economy can support, with wisdom from EDC Director TK Presley.)
Council went on to approve Resolution 24-R-03, canvassing and declaring 2024 Election Results, and City Secretary Brenda Jackson swore in Matthew Dawley for another term as mayor. Dawley proceeded to swear in McGruder, Gonner, and incumbent Tamika Jackson. He also thanked Sonia Selvera for her service to the city for the past two and a half years.
Warren Anglin and Kim Harris retained their positions of Mayor Pro-Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem, respectively.
A Groesbeck resident used the public comment portion of the meeting to voice the need for a streetlight at Ellwood and Hewitt and also shared concerns about deer and a bobcat that have been spotted around the forest near her home.
Henson warned the council that he is dealing with a significant lifeguard shortage and a bare-bones staff of six to run the city pool, which opens for the summer on May 28. As such,  there are a few summer dates that he will be down to one or two lifeguards.
“On June 15, I have one guard. I’m trying to see if there are any freelancers out there- BSR, Hawaiian Falls, or anyone who’s a certified lifeguard that we can bring temporarily to help cover this. So far, we haven’t been really successful but we’re going to keep trying.”
If Henson is unsuccessful in finding freelance lifeguards for the dates in question, he will likely close the pool in the interest of swimmer safety for the dates he is inadequately staffed.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. in the Groesbeck City Commons.