Published: September 06, 2007 11:46 am         

City Council hears reports on June flooding

The greater portion of the Gainesville City Council meeting Tuesday night surrounded what to do about approving plans for home improvements and restoration work in creek flood ways.

In a report, John Nobblett, city planning technician, said 578 properties were affected by the flood — 70 percent of which were residential units. Lawrence and Lindsay streets received the greatest number of flood damage reports Nobblett discussed the “tagging” process of homes affected by the flood.

As it stands, according to discussion at the meeting, many of the homes in the flood way are being rebuilt with Federal Emergency Management Agency money and other sources of assistance.

Mayor Pro-tem Jim Goldsworthy, among other Council members and Fire Marshal Jody Henry, expressed concerns that these homes woud be flooded again and a similar disaster scenario repeated if the city does not assist residents in the flood way to relocate or elevate their residences.

See Sunday’s Register for more on the issue of flood mitigation.

In other reports, Ron Sellman of the city’s public works department said a flood damage reduction project is underway the city has completed a topographical and utility study of damage done from the June 18 flood. He said a public meeting is scheduled in November to make residents aware of the city’s plans to repair infrastructure and avoid future damage.

Sellman noted work is continuing on damaged streets. Most recently, he said, Harris Street near Kent drive was patched and resurfaced, as the street experienced “base failure” in a washout.

In business, the Council hosted a hearing on its proposed tax rate of $0.647 per every $100 valuation. No one spoke, and it was announced a budget hearing and final vote on the tax rate and fiscal year 2007-07 budget is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 27.

In other busines, the Council voted unanimously to approve actions of the Stanford Charitable Corporation approving and adopting its fiscal year 2007-08 budget of $82,000. Loch said the city is the oversight board for the Stanford House, which he said is doing “a tremendous job” for local seniors.

The Council then passed unanimously a resolution supporting fiscal year 2007 Homeland Security department grant applications. Steve Boone, fire chief, said this is a continuation of previous years’ successful efforts to secure funds for new radio equipment for emergency workers.

The resolution authorizes the use of $77,545.49, if it is received, and gave the mayor permission to send the proper paperwork to the Texoma Council of Governments Homeland Security Advisory Committee for perusal.

In other business, the Council unanimously passed a resolution approving a site plan for Molded Fiber Glass Companies/Texas (MFG/Texas) to build a modular industrial office building.

Loch said MFG expects to add 70 new jobs to the community by adding on to its operations.

The Council approved one ordinance Tuesday evening: changing the Gainesville Municipal Airport Advisory Board’s meetings from monthly to every 60 days. Airport Director Dave Vinton said the move would allow greater flexibility for busy board members. The Council voted to suspend the city charter’s requirement of three separate readings and the ordinane was passed unanimously on first reading.

In proclamations, Doug Brooks, Mark Mask, Earl Williams, Marcus Taylor of the city’s public works department stood and were honored for their work on the municipal water system, which recently recieved an award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Reporter Andy Hogue may be contacted at andyhoguegdr@ntin.net