The Dublin City Council worked on pool and city road repairs, purchased property for improving infrastructure and reviewed zoning requests during the regular meeting Monday, May 11.
D’Anne Carson from Government Capital was present to request formal authorization of public finance counsel on a contingency basis and a resolution for pushing intention to issue a Certificate of Obligation. These matters were related to a low interest loan requested by the Council in last month’s meeting so they could make improvements to the city pool including a replaster, filters and electrical work. Work was authorized as the city sought the C.O. and the pool is expected to open by Memorial Day as work has already begun. The city is cutting costs by using its own employees for as much as possible and Dublin EDC has agreed to provide $9,500 of the costs in a community improvement grant.
When approached about the matter, government capital advised the city to determine other needs and seek a higher amount as the fees for a bond issue are $31,000 which would be a high percentage of the $100,000 sought.
The C.O. is not to exceed $300,000 and allows for city pool work as well as other improvements in the city park and about half dedicated to start renovation of the brick streets on Grafton which have been deteriorating in the detour from the TxDOT Patrick Street project. City directors are trying to get things in order so those improvements can start once the TxDOT project is done.
City councilmembers unanimously approved the items. (Councilmember Nancy Williams was absent.)
The meeting also included closed session to discuss the purchase of a property at 800 W. Blackjack (by Highland and adjoining the city park).
Council unanimously voted to purchase the .49 acre lot for $44,000 when they returned to open session. Public works director Cory James reported the purchase will allow city crews to access the area for planned water line transmission work without disruption of traffic and increased roadwork around Highland. It will also cut down on construction costs.)
The council approved a request to rezone 1190 S. Liberty from agriculture to planned development as the site is being converted from the old ag barn to 20 single story apartment units with provided stalls and space for tenants with horses.
The developer spoke about some of the plans but no comments were issued in the public hearing.
The council unanimously denied rezoning 325 N. Davies from single family to ‘Mobile Home 2’ as no one was present to speak about the request and plans for the property. No comments were issued in the hearing on the property. The council also approved a resolution for Frontier Feedlot to utilize the city and EDC’s tax-exempt status while it is acquiring a bond from the state of Texas to expand the dairy and its solid waste disposal facility. Council were assured the city and EDC are merely providing the means for the business to seek the low-interest loan with no financial obligation on their end. A public hearing on the item was held Monday, May 11 at the Erath County Commissioners Court with no one speaking and the item was approved by the county.
Council also unanimously approved the purchase and upfitting of 2024 Chevrolet Silverado for the Dublin Volunteer Fire Department after public safety director Cameron Ray reported the availability of the needed vehicle and their ability to purchase through a buyboard associated business. Ray reported $45,000 of the upfitting will be refundable through a grant.
The council also approved an updated lease with Rob Stokes who has started work on his hangar at the airport and reported the initial meeting from an interested group in forming a committee. Stokes discussed methods for appointing committee members and the need for a mission statement.