City Council to begin public hearings on historic landmark designations

By BETH FOLEY

PALESTINE — The Palestine City Council will hold a series of public hearings on historic landmark designations during its regular meeting Monday night at city hall.

The council will meet for a work session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss recent Texas Municipal League and National League of Cities conferences. The regular meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, 504 N. Queen St.

This will be the only council meeting for December, due to the holidays.

Five different home owners are seeking to have their properties designated as Palestine Historic Landmarks by the city. The properties are located at 301 E. Neches St., owned by Bob and Marti Moronko; 315 W. Lacy St., owner Hugh Summers; 621 S. Micheaux Ave., owner Dru Melville; 1008 N. Cedar St., owner Michael Ohrt; and 1212 N. Cedar St., owners Fenton J. and Katherine Masonheimer, who is the District 1 council representative.

Council members will vote on the designations later during the meeting.

In other business, the council is expected to:

• HOLD a public hearing on a specific use permit to allow for a cellular/radio tower on property zoned I-1 (light industrial district).

• HEAR about the Governor’s Fitness Grant program in the Mayor’s Report.

• HEAR the City Manager’s Report, which is expected to include a change in bond rating for the city and monthly departmental reports from police, fire, municipal court, public works, development services and the annual tourism report.

• OPEN bids for the annual contract for a corrosion inhibitor (bid 2009-09) and for polymer (bid 2009-10).

• CONSIDER appointing Joyce Pinchback-Williams to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

• CONSIDER appointing Bobby Pennington to the Palestine Economic Development Corporation.

• CONSIDER the Consent Agenda, which includes ordinances designating 301 E. Neches St., 315 W. Lacy St., 621 S. Micheaux Ave., 1008 N. Cedar St. and 1212 N. Cedar St. as Palestine Historic Landmarks; awarding a bid for tires and maintenance; awarding a bid for janitorial supplies; approval of participation in the Texas Department of Transportation’s Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) grant agreement; and an ordinance approving an electric power contract with the Cities Aggregation Power Project.

• CONSIDER a resolution relating to a public hearing and approving financing by the Palestine Health Facilities Development Corp. for the benefit of Cartmell Foundation, Inc.

• CONSIDER approval of changes to city’s existing medical plan for employees and authorize the city manager to initiate proposed changes.

• CONSIDER accepting an Impaired Driving Mobilization STEP Grant (IDM) for fiscal year 2009.

• CONSIDER Freese and Nichols professional services agreement contract change authorization No. 1 for the S. Sycamore Pump Station improvements.

• CONSIDER Freese and Nichols professional services agreement dated Oct. 12, 2004-amendment No. 9.

• CONSIDER awarding a bid for the annual crack seal project (bid 2009-07).

• CONSIDER approval of change order No. 1 for the annual crack seal program.

• CONSIDER adoption of a grease trap ordinance.

• CONSIDER an ordinance approving budget amendments.

• CONSIDER authorizing payment to the Palestine YMCA for management operations of the city pool located in Steven Bennett Aquatic Center.

• CONSIDER renewal of the Farmers Market contract.

• CONSIDER the process for review and amendment of the city’s charter.

• HEAR reports on upcoming activities and on attendance at the Texas State Railroad.

• CONVENE in closed session to discuss Project TOSS.

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

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