NEWS
Nocona Council handles a varied agenda of business
Members of the Nocona City Council named four members to the library board and approved the purchase of a security/video camera system at the police department.
A bid of $14,159 was accepted for the camera system with funds coming from the coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds.
One new member, Lori Hunt, was named to the Nocona Public Library board, while Dianne Webb, Robert Herndon and Lawrence Hoage were reappointed.
Two chamber of commerce requests to close downtown streets were approved. One resolution will close Farm-to-Market Road 103 on March 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Mardi Gras Nocona Style.
The second closed the same street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 7 for Cruisin’ Nocona. Agreements also will be created with the Texas Department of Transportation for these two closures.
Three items were address by the council action as the building commission. Toni Blanton’s request to install a Graceland 2022 manufactured home at 600 E. Mesquite, tabled from last month, was denied.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said this was not a manufactured home but a structure akin to a storage shed with no walls or structure inside .
Last month the council asked for more plans on what they were going to do with the structure. The panel indicated what the owner wanted to do with the building now does not meet city building regulations.
Abdiel Puentes Lopez asked to install a new 2024 manufacture home at 508 Lamar, which was approved.
The first hearing on the status of a structure at 204 Dallas Street was conducted. The property was owned by the late Linda Marentes and Santos Marentes.
The fire marshal gave a report on the inspection and it was deemed substandard. The owner was given 90 days in which to tear it down.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on April 8 in the council for its only meeting for the month.
The city manager’s report opens the meeting as he discusses the bid openings for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the North Smythe Street sidewalk reconstruction.
There is only one old item of business, the second reading of the ordinance amending water rates. The average residential customer using 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase of $5 to $7.50 based on usage. This is the first water rate increase since 2018.
There are multiple items of new business. The 2023-24 outside audit will be presented by the staff of Mathis, West and Huffines. Four replat requests will be offered through the planning and zoning recommendations.
Base bid amounts for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the Smythe Street sidewalk project also will be reviewed. For the sewer project the base bid is $1,558,103.30. For the sidewalk it is $327,860.66. The sewer work is funded through a loan to the city from the Texas Development Board and the sidewalk through a Downtown Community Development grant program with the city having a matching portion.
The final item before public comments are two ordinance amending the mobile food vendors rules and permits.
After a successful multi-part workshop series last year, the Bowie Business Boost returns with a two-part workshop to take your business to the next level of effectiveness and profitability.
Attend this “AI Made Simple Workshop: Conquer the Tech Chaos and Win Fast” planned for April 24 and May 8. These will be breakfast programs from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The program will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with questions and answers to follow. Breakfast will be served 7:30 to 8 a.m.
The programs will be at the Bowie Community Center-west hall. Registration is $20 which includes both sessions. Registration is transferable. Register at accelerationbydesign.com/event-details/bowiebusinessboost25.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewonline.com
About 20 people attended the first of what Mayor Kelly Williamson expects to be regular town hall sessions where citizens can be informed or ask questions on issues in the City of Saint Jo.
Williamson and Police Chief Harvey Johnson conducted the meeting. The mayor was elected last year and is retired from the United States Army. He and his wife, Cathy, moved to Saint Jo about three years ago looking to set down some roots after the military. Their son is serving in the 101st Airborne Division.
The mayor said the top pressing issues he sees for the city are streets, then water and sewer systems. However, he exclaimed it all takes money to do that work, and even if state or federal grants those are often funded 80-20, which still leaves a big hunk for the city to fund.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Saint Jo Police Chief Harvey Johnson, Fire Chief Scott Thomas and Mayor Kelly Williamson discussed needs in the city at Saturday’s town hall. (News photo by Barbara Green)
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