November 17, 2016 - The Center City Council approved street closures on December 3 and December 12 for holiday parades on the square following discussion over needed repairs in the city park.
A motion was carried by the council approving street closures for the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on December 3, 2016 and for the St. Therese Catholic Church Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession/Parade on December 12, 2016.
Chad Nehring, City Manager, spoke with the council about repairs to the city park located near Center High School. Howell Howard, Councilman, asked Nehring if he thinks the park issues are due to the new tennis courts at the Leon Dykes Tennis Complex.
"I would be willing to tell you my assessment is what was caused from the tennis courts [the contractor] has done a descent job cleaning up," said Nehring.
Two major outfalls that have been installed are what Nehring says have created a higher velocity and volume of water flow and he has requested the design of barrier dams at the end of the pipe outfalls. Howard said if it wasn't the fault of the tennis court contractor, he shouldn't have to pay for it and Nehring agreed he has worked on what was the result of the tennis court project.
"After we pumped the pond down, it's rather obvious that we've had a good two to three feet of siltation buildup really in one stream within the last three or four years," said Nehring.
Howard stated that the total cost of $5,800 didn't seem like a high rate to clean out the pond. Nehring agreed and stated the project would open everything back up from the bridge to the pond.
"When we put in the sidewalks we noticed that from original design to the time we were in construction, all of a sudden there was a channel that we had to go put culvert pipe in that use to not be there. It used to all be ground surface drainage," said Nehring.
Nehring said the city is aware of what projects have caused the issue to occur. Mayor David Chadwick agreed the $5,800 was a fair price and he recommended making an amendment to the budget to include the funds for the repairs.
A motion carried to approve making the amendment to the budget.
Nehring delivered a report on the sales tax analysis for the city and explained it is starting as well if not better than it has in the past several years.
"It looks as though our budget is on target right now obviously, February is the one that we hold our breath until we see. February is the one that is going to tell us what the year is going to look like for the most part," said Nehring.
Several projects going on in the city were remarked on by Nehring starting with work TxDOT is currently performing on U.S. 96 intersections. Although contractors have been working on the intersections, the stretch of roadway between Nacogdoches Street and Wheeler Avenue is currently under construction.
Nehring reported progress has been made on Childs Street toward the Portacool Park project and actual park construction will begin right after Thanksgiving. Pre-construction on the water development board sewer and lift station is set to begin the week of the council meeting.
Martin Luther King Drive sidewalk work is progressing quickly according to Nehring and he said he has not heard anything negative regarding the project with the exception of a driveway issue.
"Right after New Years, we'll have park, streets, major water, major sewer projects. We're going to be very, very busy the start of the new year," said Nehring.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55pm.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 24, 2016. 2. Execution of engagement letter for audit services with Axley & Rode. 3. Award bid for 109 Barbara Street, SCAD Prop ID 22432, Mildred Perry Estate. 4. Renewal of annual contracts for utility system chemicals. 5. Budget change for parks - building grounds maintenance. 6. Street closures for parades on December 3, 2016 and December 12, 2016. 7. Appoint Donnie Miller as new Reserve Officer with Center Police Department. 8. Adjourn at 5:55pm.
