Donation, Civic Center, movie pre-release headline Center council meeting

Donation, Civic Center, movie pre-release headline Center council meeting Leon Aldridge Wed, 06/12/2024 - 20:13 Image

• Gene Kennon (left) with Republic Waste presented Mayor David Chadwick with the company’s annual pledge payment for the Perry Sampson Park renovations. Leon Aldridge | Light and Champion
• Marquita Garrett, representing Bishop W.C. Martin, briefed the city council on the needs for downtown parking space for the pre-release premiere of the movie ‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot’ at the Rio Theatre July 2. The movie is based on Bishop Martin and his wife whose adoption of difficult-to-place children in the foster care system started a national movement for vulnerable children. Leon Aldridge | Light and Champion

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Gene Kennon with Republic Waste opened the Center City Council’s regular meeting Monday, June 10 by presenting Mayor David Chadwick with the company’s annual pledge payment for the Perry Sampson Park renovations.

Civic Center Lighting The first item of action, “Work Authorization-KSA- Design/Admin of SECO Grant for LED Retrofit of Windham Civic Center Lighting,” was approved following discussion.

This work authorization, executed under the general engineering services agreement with KSA, provides for the design, bidding and grant coordination of a complete retrofit of all Civic Center lighting. Funding will come from a previously approved SECO grant. Size and scope of the project necessitates engineering assistance ensuring both equipment and contractor services comply with the terms and conditions of the grant.

Employee Benefit Program The city’s employee benefit program was approved for the renewal of next fiscal year’s employee health plan. According to City Manager Chad Nehring, the current year’s plan individual benefits were reduced by increasing deductibles and maximum out of pocket anticipating continued premium increases for both employer and employee premiums. Therefore, additional plan modification was not recommended.

Surplus Property Declaring of surplus property was approved. Fleet units being replaced are not necessary to operations based on continued carrying costs and therefore presented for disposal as surplus. Nehring said the Purple Wave auction system used was extremely successful and will be used again for disposal of this lot.

Parking closure for movie pre-release A request for closure of a downtown square parking for an event July 2, 2024, was approved. A prerelease premiere showing of the movie ‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot’ at the Rio Theatre, and related pre and post movie events will require closure of Nacogdoches and Shelbyville Street sides of the square’s parking lot.

Marquita Garrett, representing Bishop W.C. Martin, was present to brief the council on the pre-release premiere needs for the parking space and answer questions.

The movie is based on Martin and his wife whose adoption of 77 difficult- to-place children in the local foster care system started a national movement for vulnerable children.

TP&W Grant Submission Also approved was a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant submission process. Application deadline is not until August 1 leaving time to develop a competitive project if submission is deemed appropriate.

DETCOG Board Rep Mayor Pro Tem Leigh Porterfield was approved as DETCOG Board Representative, a position in which she has served for the last year.

“Items of Interest,” non-actionable items and updates from the council, city manager and citizens was reviewed by Nehring.

The 5:00 p.m. meeting was preceded by a 4:30 meeting to discuss the Fiscal Year ’25 Budget including strategic goals and priorities and preliminary departmental budgets. The meeting is part of the annual budget process for discussion and evaluations.