Historically speaking

City may name six properties as landmarks

By BETH FOLEY

PALESTINE — Six local properties could be designated as Palestine Historic Landmarks during Monday’s regular city council meeting.

The properties include one of the city’s oldest remaining houses, the Hunter House at 1020 E. Lacy St., built in 1869 by Dr. H.J. “Hal” Hunter; the Redlands Building at 400 N. Queen St., built in 1914; the Robinson State Bank Building at 213 W. Main St., built in 1890; the Reagan-Ferguson Home at 511 S. Royall St., built by John H. Reagan for his daughter and son-in-law in 1883; the old Anderson County Jail at 704 Avenue A, built in 1931; and a building at 217 W. Palestine Ave. built in 1910 and later converted to a duplex, which owners Chris and Dan Edomwande wish to restore to either a single-family residence or an office.

Public hearings will be held near the beginning of the 5:30 p.m. meeting Monday to offer property owners and concerned residents a chance to speak out about the proposed historic designations. The properties are scheduled to be voted upon later in the meeting as part of the consent agenda.

Prior to the start of the regular meeting, the council will meet for an hour-long work session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss a proposal from Meals on Wheels of Palestine, Inc., for providing senior center services.

The MOW proposal was the only one the city received in response to its request for proposal (RFP) for the senior citizens center services.

The proposal is not scheduled for discussion or action during the regular meeting Monday.

In other business, the council is expected to:

• PRESENT an award from the Palestine Economic Development Council;

• PRESENT a certificate of appreciation to a Palestine Junior Crime Fighter;

• HOLD six public hearings on historical landmark designations for the following addresses: 1. Lot 5, Block 45, Original Addition, 1020 E. Lacy St., applicant Chris Gouras (HZC-07-27); 2. Lots 1-3, Block 60 (new), Original Addition, 400 N. Queen St., applicant Jean Mollard (HZC-07-28); 3. Lot 12, Block 164, Original Addition, 213 W. Main St., applicant Palestine Landmarks Commission (HZC-07-29); 4. Lot 3B, Block 1, Reagan and Word Addition, 511 S. Royall St., applicant Palestine Landmark Commission (HZC-08-01); 5. Lots 5A, 6-7, Block 34, Green Addition, 217 W. Palestine Ave., applicant Chris Edomwande (HZC-08-02); 6. Lots 3B, 4, 4B, Block 16, Original Addition, 704 Avenue A, applicant Anderson County (HZC-08-03);

• HEAR the Mayor’s Report;

• HEAR the City Manager’s Report, which is expected to include monthly departmental reports from development services, the Palestine Public Library and the Palestine Fire Department, as well as a report on the city attorney’s fees;

• CONSIDER board appointments;

• CONSIDER the Consent Agenda, which includes awarding bids for demolition of substandard structures (Bid No. 2008-12), construction of Gillespie Road (Texas Capital Fund Program/Capgemini Bid No. 2008-15) and the water treatment plant force main project (Bid No. 2008-13); and ordinances designating the following locations as Palestine Historic Landmarks: 1020 E. Lacy St., 400 N. Queen St., 213 W. Main St., 511 S. Royall St., 217 W. Palestine Ave. and 704 Avenue A;

• CONSIDER a resolution approving PEDC facade improvement grants;

• CONSIDER a resolution approving PEDC Cartmell Home project;

• CONSIDER a resolution approving PEDC J-3 Real Estate infrastructure grant;

• CONSIDER a resolution approving PEDC revolving loan to Prestige Ventures, LLC;

• CONSIDER the final plat of Texas Area Fund Foundation addition, Block 1, Lots 1, Reserve A and C, Block 2, Reserve B;

• CONSIDER an ordinance establishing regulation for the issuance of citations by non-peace officers for alleged criminal violations of city ordinances;

• CONSIDER an ordinance abandoning a portion of N. Cedar Street;

• CONSIDER an ordinance approving budget amendments for the current fiscal year for police department ammunition;

• HEAR comments from council members and Mayor Carolyn Salter during the “Items from Council” portion of the meeting;

• CONVENE in closed session to hear an update from City Attorney Ron Stutes regarding pending litigation in the lawsuit entitled Vickie Wesson & Lonnie Wesson v. Frank Campos, Cause No. 3-40016, Third District Court. Council may also receive an update regarding the pending appeal entitled Vickie Wesson v. State of Texas, Cause No. 12-06-00205-CR, 12th Court of Appeals;

• RECONVENE in regular session to take any action necessary regarding the pending litigation from closed session.

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

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On the Net:

City of Palestine, http://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/