Published: May 08, 2008 11:29 am         

City council focuses on rechanneling project

City leaders made a little more way for the Pecan Creek Rechanneling Project Tuesday.

At the Gainesville City Council meeting Tuesday evening, the Council voted to sign waivers for four properties to be obtained by the city, in which there were delinquent taxes due from previous owners.

Councilmen Jim Goldsworthy and Woodrow Williams were not present.

The properties could be used for the Pecan Creek Rechanneling Project as well as urban redevelopment.

Lots at 809 Gossett Street and 508 North Schopmeyer Street would be used for the Pecan Creek project, in which the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will work to expand the creek’s capacity to prevent future flooding.

The Schopmeyer Street property was ceded to the city after the resident, who claimed inability to pay taxes due, realized it would help the city.

“The owner signed it over because we needed it,” City Manager Barry Sullivan said.

The Gossett Street property was taken through a sheriff’s deed, and would be used to store equipment and serve as an entrance to Pecan Creek during the project.

Properties at 431 Throckmorton Street and 412 Preston Street are buildable, Sullivan said, and could be used for projects such as the Gainesville Revitalization Project, which recently built two houses in the northwest downtown area on vacant lots.

Sullivan, upon a question by Council member Beverly Snuggs, said other taxing entities, such as North Texas Medical Center and the college and school districts, would have to waive their taxes or the city would be responsible for paying the taxes.

Mayor Glenn Loch said he is confident the other taxing entities would cooperate.

In other business, the Council voted 5-0 to:

• Pass on first reading an ordinance amending the existing gas franchise between the city of Gainesville and Atmos Energy Corp. from 4 percent to 5 percent — with an anticipated increase of 50-60 cents per customer bill and an additional $55,177 for the city so it can continue to purchase right-of-way for gas lines and other utilities infrastructure.

• Approve $16,364 for check processing equipment in a three-year lease-to-own agreement.

• Suspend the charter’s requirement of three separate readings and approve on second reading an ordinance allowing a pipeyard of HEP Oil Co. to be laid in the zoned area known as the I-35 Development Corridor.

In appointments, Loch re-appointed David Wright, Jim Hatcher and David Estes to the Planning and Zoning Board.

Councilman Vince Rippy invited Gainesville residents to serve on the boards, and to inquire with City Secretary Kay Lunnon to volunteer. He said the city is made up of many volunteers, including the City Council.

Loch said there are 16 boards and commissions.

“If anyone is looking for a job, come and see us,” he said.

In public comments, Jerry Lawson, a resident of Greenbriar Street, asked for special consideration for a shop and RV shelter he is building. Lawson said he had the frame built for the external building, but that city officials informed him it was too tall for neighborhood restrictions.

Lawson said there are other structures in the neighborhood taller than his framework, which is 12 feet high.

“There’s $5,000 invested in this, and now I’m too high,” he said.