Texas Department of Transportation Area Engineer Ralph Condra explained to the City Council Tuesday evening that there would be enough money in the state’s budget for the project to put a 1.5-inch layer of the premium paving material on the street after the work is done.
Originally, the state had budgeted only enough money for the project to do a seal coat job on North St. Mary’s Street. North Washington Street has been topped off with a two-inch layer of hot mix asphalt.
“It’s one heck of a deal,” Interim City Manager Joe B. Montez told the council. “I think this is the greatest thing that could happen to St. Mary’s Street.”
Condra explained that asphalt prices had dropped significantly since Hunter prepared its bid for the job and the company had been able to save enough money to go ahead and lay the hot mix on St. Mary’s. He said the company will use a smaller aggregate than what was applied to North Washington Street and that will allow them to put a thinner layer on the street.
The engineer told the council that the contractor still plans to address some of the trouble spots in St. Mary’s Street and apply the planned seal coat layer.
However, the hot mix pavement will provide for a finish that is almost as good as asphalt applied to Washington Street.
Condra said the hot mix will extend from Cleveland Street all the way to the Poesta Creek bridge.
Council members voted to give Montez and Mayor Santiago “Jim” Martinez permission to authorize a change order that will allow Hunter to apply the asphalt.
The council was unable to take action on a request to join Joan Adkins Reilly in an effort to obtain a Texas Capital Fund grant to help build a retirement community on North St. Mary’s Street just north of the city.
Reilly said her company, Retired Living Concepts, hopes to build a 24-apartment complex of independent living and assisted living units on property she owns at 4225 N. St. Mary’s St.
The state requires that a public entity, either a city or a county, join with a private corporation in applying for TCF grant funds.
The key to obtaining a state grant is that the money help create jobs in the community applying for the funds.
Reilly said the complex will be called River Oaks Retirement Community and it will include the living facilities, a retail area and a historical area.
She said plans would be to expand the facility by 10 more units within 18 months of completion of the first phase.
“I’m not asking for money,” Reilly said. “I’m only asking for support in applying for the grant.”
Martinez said he liked the idea but the council was unable to take action on the request because of the way the agenda item had been written.
Reilly said she intended to seek some financial help for the project by approaching the Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation and asking for some of the city’s 4B sales tax funds.
But no request would be made for money from the city’s general fund.
“I basically want to know if I have the support of the city,” Reilly said. “This is something I’ve worked long and hard on. It’s going to take a yes from ya’ll.”
Martinez asked Montez to meet with Reilly and see what she needs from the council so its members can take action on her request as soon as possible.
In other business, the council voted to:
— Engage the services of Ernest R. Garza and Co. for auditing the city’s 2008-09 financial records.
— Authorize the use of the Depot Pavilion for the annual Toys For Bee Kids event on Dec. 19 at 9 a.m.
— Allow the Beeville Municipal Court to start accepting credit cards for the payment of fines.
— Approve a city ordinance officially closing the 1700 block of North Live Oak Street.
— Amend the city’s policy on reimbursement of travel expenses to use the Internal Revenue Service rates for official city trips.
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