Published: March 22, 2008 10:37 pm            

City to OK PEDC grants

PALESTINE — Three local projects chosen by the Palestine Economic Development Corporation to receive nearly $50,000 in grants will be presented to the Palestine City Council Monday for its approval.

The council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday in city hall, 504 N. Queen St. No work session is scheduled.

The three projects selected by the PEDC are improvements to the Reagan Park playground by the Palestine Junior Service League, $23,500; landscaping at the Palestine Public Library, $15,000; and continued renovations at the Texas Theater by the Palestine Community Theatre, $10,000.

The three chosen were among eight applicants for the 2008 grants.

The city council must approve the funding.

In addition, the council is expected to consider canceling the May city election and declaring the three unopposed candidates the winners of the races for the Districts 1, 3 and 5 council seats.

Each of the three current council members in those districts — Kathi Masonheimer, District 1, Vickey Chivers, District 3 and Andrea Baird, District 5 — were the only people to file as candidates for those seats.

Also, the council is expected to:

• RECOGNIZE city employee James Morgan for attaining “C” surface water operator licensing;

• READ a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month;

• HOLD a public hearing on a proposed zone change at 820 N. Church St. from C-2 (local retail commercial district) to C-3 (general retail commercial district);

• HOLD a public hearing on a proposed zone change at 2265 S. Sycamore St. from RE (residential estate district) to RPO (restricted professional office);

• HOLD a public hearing on a specific use permit at Westwood ISD for an electronic pole sign;

• HEAR the Mayor’s Report;

• HEAR the City Manager’s Report, which is expected to include monthly reports from development services, the Palestine Public Library and the Main Street office, as well as a report on the citywide cleanup day;

• CONSIDER appointing Marti Moronko to the Historic Landmarks Commission to replace Newell Kane;

• CONSIDER appointing Ginny Wilborn to the Tourism Advisory Board to replace Lottie Jonas;

• CONSIDER the Consent Agenda, which includes authorization to purchase plastic garbage bags and an ordinance canceling the May 10 city election in Districts 1, 3 and 5 and declaring the unopposed candidates elected to office;

• HEAR a presentation of the proposed Palestine Economic Development Corporation Community Development Grant projects and the first reading of a resolution;

• HEAR a presentation for additional funding for the facade grant program and the first reading of a resolution;

• CONSIDER approval of Freese and Nichols, Inc., professional services amendment No. 8 and authorize the city manager to execute an agreement for services;

• CONSIDER approval of a professional services contract for Reagan Park master plan and authorize the city manager to execute an agreement for services;

• CONSIDER conditional approval of preliminary plat, Gregg LP Addition;

• CONSIDER conditional approval of final plat, Hampton Inn Addition;

• CONSIDER an ordinance for a zone change at 820 N. Church St. from C-2 (local retail commercial district) to C-3 (general retail commercial district);

• CONSIDER an ordinance for a zone change at 2265 S. Sycamore St. from RE (residential estate district) to RPO (restricted professional office);

• CONSIDER an ordinance for a specific use permit at Westwood ISD for an electronic pole sign;

• CONSIDER an ordinance approving budget amendments for fiscal year 2007-08;

• HEAR comments from council members during the “Items from Council” portion of the meeting.

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

        

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