“In your packet you should have information on plans for the City of George West to move forward with annexation. It gives a guideline with the number of days between meetings and how we will provide service for those annexed before public notices go out. Of course, they have to be approved,” Ramirez said.
George West Mayor Sylvia Steele said the council must first discuss what areas may be annexed before going to resolution and an annexation schedule.
Ramirez responded, “I am just making all of you aware of protocol because there is a lot of legal protocol that needs to be adhered to. Most of these draft documents do not have legal description of property. The last document in your packet is a petition that area landowners can use if they object to annexation. The first workshop is not scheduled, but should be in early February.”
“Excellent breakdown, Mr. Ramirez,” Steele replied.
City Councilman Jim McGee asked, “How long before this is implemented?”
Ramirez responded, “Look at the schedule. If we start now it could be as close to April.”
“Don’t you think we are moving a little fast here? You are going to have a lot of unhappy people there. We had opposition before. I am all for it but we have to think of the residents. We must convince large land owners of the positive impact and I don’t want to overload the city with services we can’t provide,” McGee said.
Ramirez assured the council that following the annexation schedule the city would be able to provide services for those annexed. “Some older parts of the community don’t have a lot of infrastructure. They don’t have a lot of curb and guttering. The new technology will keep us from tearing up the streets. We need to formulate a plan to make it as meticulous as possible. Once annexation goes through it will take about 2 ½ years.”
In other city news, the public hearing/consideration to approve a request by Charles and Patricia Alexander to rezone the residence commonly known as 1010 Houston St. for a sandwich shop and yoga center was tabled. On behalf of the Planning and Zoning Committee, Becky Allen addressed the council. She said the committee along with Ms. Alexander and George West Superintendent Ty Sparks discussed the rezoning proposal.
“The property is a house on Houston Street by the band hall. We asked a number of questions that she [Alexander] answered. There would be a maximum of 12 participants for the yoga class and it would not be during classroom school hours. However, we did have a number of concerns with regards to a sandwich shop. One concern would be about school children getting lunch and we are concerned about traffic. Mr. Sparks was concerned about school kids wanting to eat there and not partaking of school food. Lastly, once the house is rezoned as a business it can be sold as commercial property. So the zoning committee tabled the item pending the GWISD school board meeting,” Allen said.
Following Allen, Alexander addressed the councilmen. “I appreciate your concerns and I would have no problem with a variance [property would revert back to residential}. Right now the kids walk to Sonic and the convenience store. I want to provide a healthy alternative. And, if the business got too big I would certainly move it.”
After the council heard Alexander, McGee said, “Right now we need to table it.”
Councilmen went on to the business of elections for city council and school board. They voted to hold a joint election with the George West Independent School District and Live Oak County on May 8. Councilmen voted to make available two weekdays where early voting would be available for 12 hours during the early voting period. The first day to put one’s name on the ballot will be Feb. 6 and the last day will be March 8. Early voting will be held April 26-May 4 with election day on May 8.
In other city news, councilmen voted to approve a bid of $3,200 to perform the annual maintenance on the water wells and wastewater treatment plant chlorination system. They also approved the purchase supplies for $15,617.04 on the U.S. 59 project modification.
Finally, councilmen reached the agenda items concerning budget and financial reports. Councilman Michael McCormick advised Ramirez in light of Stanley Automotive closing, the city will be losing revenue. “We have to decide if that is a major effect or a minor effect on our budget. We also need a financial statement; we haven’t had one in a year. Most companies do it monthly. We don’t have to but at least quarterly. We need to plan for a rainy day. We should know how much cash is in the bank and that can all be done without getting accountants involved. I know it is a challenge.”
Ramirez replied, “Yes, and it is one I look forward too.”
Steele said to Ramirez, “Remember what you said, when we first hired you. You said you would ‘cut the fat’.”
In other city news, George West Police Chief Ray Garcia said since Code Enforcement Officer Chris Carter has been issuing citations on illegal dumping and nuisance trash, they have had a lot of complaints. “But, I was expecting that. On Saturday, during the Trash Off, he was there. It turned out to be a beneficial event. Carter helped stack tires and the ladies from Unify To Beautify did a great job,” Garcia said.
During the citizens’ participation portion of the council meeting, Glynis Strause addressed the gathering on the “Preserve America” grant program. She said there are several opportunities for the city with regards to grants and award recognition. However, a resolution must first be considered. Strause asked the council to include the grant proposals on the agenda for the next meeting.
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