Centerville looking at ways to improve its image

Emma Bass The Centerville City Council met for its regular meeting on Thursday, July 8, 2010 in the Municipal Building Meeting Room. Council members John Franks and Lawrence Johnson were absent.

Emma Bass, speaking for the Centerville Economic Development Council, addressed the Centerville City Council concerning the need to initiate a campaign to advance the lifestyle of citizens of the city of Centerville by promoting tourism and various improvements. Bass suggested a survey be mailed with the City’s water bills which would allow residents to provide input concerning ways to improve the quality of their life in Centerville. The City Council agreed to do this.

Bass also suggested that the City of Centerville, CEDC and Centerville Chamber of Commerce meet to further this cause. The meeting will be set pending the schedules of the organizations.

John Pledger with Jones and Carter Contractors and Plumbing addressed the Council concerning the situation at the city sewer plant. He explained that the current plant is more than 50 years old and can continue to do an adequate job, if the ponds are cleaned, but would allow little or no room for growth.

John Pledger The sewer plant consists of four ponds and pond # 1 has sludge built up in it. The City has applied for a grant that would fund cleaning out pond # 1. Cleaning the first pond should allow enough time to build a new sewer plant if the Council feels that is in the best interest of the City. Mr. Pledger will work on a proposal and study for a new sewer plant and report back to the Council.

City Attorney Charley Johnson addressed the Council concerning water service to the City’s newly annexed property on County Road 200. Johnson told the Council that Southeast Water Supply has precedence for providing water for the property. After speaking with TML Legal and TCEQ, there are still questions about conflicting codes that relate to this issue.

Water service to the annexed property will be on Southeast’s agenda on July 20th at 1:00 p.m. Some members of the Council, the Mayor and George Holleman, Public Works Director, will attend the meeting. Holleman will contact the City’s engineers about attending the meeting as well. The City would like to determine who, when and why Southeast got the water rights for the annexed property.

In old business, Attorney Johnson presented his findings concerning the Centerville Plaza Apartments. The apartments are owned by Emanuel Glockzin under the name of Centerville Plaza Ltd. The building have been vacant for several years and had a major fire more than a year ago. The company filed bankruptcy shortly after the fire which has now been released. The apartments are listed with a realtor for $50,000 and Johnson asked the Council if they would be interested in purchasing and utilizing the property for the City. He explained that it would cost the City $35,000 to tear down the apartment buildings and clean up the area. However the Council was not interested in making the purchase.

In further business the Council elected John Franks as Mayor Pro-tem; agreed to send John A. Blakeway proposal letter to perform the 2010 Audit; took no action on increasing the City’s water and sewer rates and fees; and appointed Lindsie Wood as City Tax Assessor Collector. Minutes of the last meeting, time sheets and current bills were approved.