Published: January 13, 2009 08:45 am         

City to allow pool water into sewer system

The Palestine City Council voted Monday night to allow swimming pool owners to drain their pool water into the city’s sewer system.

The ordinance to allow pool owners to empty their pools into the sewer system was a departure from a previous law which prohibited it, and according to development code director Warren Oakley, didn’t provide any legal way to get rid of the old water when owners wanted to drain their pools.

City officials said they didn’t expect the amount of water entering the sewer system to have too much impact because of the relatively low number of swimming pools inside the city.

Also during Monday’s regular meeting, councilmembers voted to add a $20 fee per day for impounded vehicles and equipment. The amount was amended to $20 after a clerical error incorrectly listed it at a higher price.

In other business, the council:

• HEARD a proclamation declaring Jan. 19, 2009 to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Palestine and comments from councilman Vernon Denmon Jr. detailing some of the day’s planned events;

• PRESENTED the Tourism Quarterly Hospitality Award to Crockett Road Church of Christ pastor Dan Manuel;

• HEARD the Mayor’s Report, which included information about the Youth Advisory Council program and the Texas Roundup/Governor’s Fitness Grant;

• HEARD the City Manager’s Report, which included the results of the annual city auction; electronic ticket writers; departmental reports from police, development services, library and municipal court; the Texas Main Street Program reinvestment report; and the Certified Local Government FY2008 annual report;

• REAPPOINTED David Mettauer to the Palestine Economic Development Corp.;

• APPOINTED to the Library Advisory Board Bob Snow to replace Larissa Loveless, Susan Armstrong to replace Duke Waggoner and Rosemary Miller to replace Cad Williams;

• APPROVED the Consent Agenda, which included minutes from the work session and regular meeting held Sept. 22, 2008, and from the work session held Sept. 29, 2008;

• AWARDED a bid for corrosion inhibitor to Simply Aquatics of Kirbyville and a bid for polymer to Ashland Hercules Water Technologies of Dublin, Ohio (Bids No. B2009-09 and B2009-10);

• APPROVED a landscaping project proposed by Dogwood Garden Club for the median at the intersection of Mallard Street, Avenue A and E. Crawford Street;

• AUTHORIZED the city manager to execute a land lease for the construction and operation of a hangar at the Palestine Municipal Airport by Acid & Cementing Services, Inc.;

• AUTHORIZED the city manager to execute a letter of agreement between the Texas Main Street Program and the City of Palestine to continue participation in the program in 2009;

• DISCUSSED the final report from the Planning and Zoning Commission on a zone change request from RE (Residential Estate) to R-1 (single family detached low density district) on part of a 29.18 acre tract on Richland Drive and set a public hearing for Jan. 26;

• DISCUSSED the final report from the Planning and Zoning Commission on a zone change request from RE (residential estate) and I-2 (general industrial district) to C-4 (highway commercial district) for S. Loop 256 annexed areas and a portion of the Willow Creek Business Park, Phase 1, Lot 1, Block 2 and set a public hearing for Jan. 26;

• DISCUSSED the final report from the Planning and Zoning Commission on a zone change request from RE (residential estate) to C-4 (highway commercial district) for annexed areas northwest of Medical Drive and east of Willow Creek Parkway and set a public hearing for Jan. 26;

• DISCUSSED the final report from the Planning and Zoning Commission on a specific use permit request for a used tire sales and installation shop on property zoned C-2 (local retail commercial district) located at 102 E. Palestine Ave. and set a public hearing for Jan. 26;

• APPROVED an ordinance approving budget amendments for fiscal year 2009-10;

• HEARD comments from council members on upcoming activities and a report on attendance at the Texas State Railroad;

• CONVENED in closed session to discuss XPAD Company, LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District, case No. 08-60291

• RECONVENED in open session but took no action.

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com

     

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