Center Council hears citizens group seeking Westview Cemetery help

Center Council hears citizens group seeking Westview Cemetery help Leon Aldridge Thu, 06/27/2024 - 05:54 Image

• Nicole Ellington – Spokesperson Nicole Ellington addressed the Center City Council Monday requesting help for maintaining Westview Cemetery. Leon Aldridge | The Light and Champion
• An “Emergency Declaration Appropriation for Sewer System Repair at Railroad Crossing” was approved. Trees falling in early June storms damaged a primary sewer line under the railroad along Railroad Avenue. Temporary pumps and lines are in place pending damage repairs. Leon Aldridge | The Light and Champion

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A citizens’ group requesting resources for help and improvement at Westview Cemetery in Center addressed the city council at their regular meeting, Monday, June 24.

Spokesperson for the group was Nicole Ellington who outlined problems and concerns in caring for the Texas Historic Cemetery, the final resting place for some of the area’s newly freed slaves after the Civil War.

Concerns expressed were the condition of Union Street through the cemetery, mowing, cleaning of fences around the property, and emptying of trash cans in the cemetery.

The group were council meeting “visitors” and not on the agenda as an actionable item. However, Center Mayor David Chadwick and City Manager Chad Nehring took time to hear their concerns, answer questions, and offer suggestions. Chadwick pledged city support in working with the group in any way possible.

Prior to the meeting, the council met for a “Strategic Goals & Preliminary Departmental Budgets Staff’ Workshop. A series of workshops are planned leading up to approval of the city’s annual fiscal year budget.

In regular meeting agenda items, the council approved “Interlocal Agreement with TML-IRP - Cyber Liability and Data Breach Coverage” city liability and property coverage provided by interlocal agreement with the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool.

As coverage for various activities is deemed necessary and made available to pool members, those changes occasionally create the need to provide unique coverages as a separate self-insurance system (sub-pool) from other coverage types, which is the case for transition of cybercrime/ data breach rider.

Also approved was “Adopting Procurement and Financial Policies to Comply with Federal Grant Contracts” per the city’s grant consultant recommendations. The adoption does not replace the city’s existing local policies, but governs in the situation of federal grant contracts to ensure compliance review will not be problematic.

An “Emergency Declaration Appropriation for Sewer System Repair at Railroad Crossing” was approved as an emergency appropriation as allowed by the City Charter.

According to Nehring, the early June storms caused the collapse of several trees damaging one of the primary sewer mains that traverses under the railroad just south of Hwy 7.

“Not only an old line that is completely under the railroad, but also the urgency of repair makes this a difficult project,” said Nehring. Potential violations of TCEQ rules and State/EPA laws for illegal discharges with temporary a pump transferring wastewater via surface lines to circumvent the damaged section have been taken. But Nehring added that those conditions “are far from optimal and could easily create significant issues if any portion fails to operate properly.”

A quote from a reputable construction company that contracts for large construction projects has been received in an effort to progress repairs as rapidly as possible.

The council took no action on bids for a Lawn Maintenance and Mowing Contract expiring soon for which renewal is not an option. Two bid submissions were reviewed, but action was delayed pending discussion.

Approved was a “Contract for Park Preliminary Design and Grant Submission.”

This agreement engages services of MHS Design who has designed and assisted with all park redevelopment and grant projects in Center for the last two decades. This action was taken for redevelopment of American Legion Park adjoining the Community House.

The council approved the Shelby County Appraisal District Proposed Budget. The council is not required to act, but presents the opportunity for discussion of any questions prior to SCAD board adoption.

Non-Actionable Items Noteworthy items of interest requiring no action included Police Department staffing to fill budgeted leadership and supervisory positions. Officers William Lusk and Jake Gross are being promoted to patrol sergeant. With the graduation of cadets from police academy and in-house field training program, andrestaffing criminal investigation (CID) positions, brings the department back to anticipated and budgeted staffing levels for regular operations.

Also listed was the recent contractor concrete coring on Austin Street and Express Drive to determine issues with shrinkage, cracking and material conformity to specifications.

Resolution alternatives will be presented to the Street EDC Board.