City to apply for water-project financing

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

Cleburne City Council members approved Public Works Director Russell Schreiber’s request to file an application with the Texas Water Development Board Tuesday to obtain low-cost financing. The board offers financing rates at 2 percent below current market rate to cities wishing to develop new water sources, said Jim Sabonis, senior vice president of First Southwest Company.

“No one wants to borrow money,” Sabonis said. “But if you have to, this is by far the most beneficial program you can have. By taking action tonight, we’re not committing to any loans. We’re just getting into the queue.”

Cities interested in the low-rate program must first apply, Sabonis said.

Schreiber outlined needs and plans last year to meet Cleburne’s growing water needs over the next 50 years. Should the council decide to go through with funding, Schreiber said, it would go toward the first phase of the Lake Whitney Project. Cleburne secured an interest in Lake Whitney water but has not yet developed the infrastructure to procure it.

The funding would go toward planning, site studies and permitting, Schreiber said. Future phases, those involving building a plant and other infrastructure, would involve another bond issuance down the road, he said.

The council also chose not to forgive a lien on a property owned by Cleburne Christian Lodge. They did, however, agree to freeze the lien amount and revisit the possibility of dissolving the lien once the organization’s building is completed and in operation for a year.

The group formed in 1998 and maintained the property on 316 N. Wilhite St. until 2003. The group then dissolved while the property remained on tax rolls with no forwarding address or organization to hold liable. Fines, administrative and mowing fees on the property now total $5,443.50. The organization has since reformed and requested the lien be dissolved.

“If we pass this, we want to see the place maintained,” Mayor Ted Reynolds said. “We don’t want tall weeds out there and we want to see progress. We think they’re doing good work though, and we’re willing to work with them if they work with us.”

The building will be a temporary lodge for family members and a resource center, said Brandon Lehrmann, treasurer for the Cleburne Christian Lodge. It will not be a shelter for chronic homeless people, he said.

Council members also approved a project for pavement and drainage improvements to Elmo Street. The vote authorizes City Manager Chester Nolen to negotiate a contract with Childress Engineers for the work. The contract prices cannot exceed $294,000.

The council approved Fire Chief Clint Ishmael’s request for a no-parking zone near the central fire station on Wardville Street. The move will eliminate four parking spaces on Mill Street. Ishmael said he requested the resolution for safety reasons so that larger fire trucks will have a place to park off the main road when firefighters come to the central station for training and meetings.

Council members withdrew two agenda items, which they postponed action on in a June 10 meeting. The first involved a proposed ordinance that would require a home builder, contractor or owner to submit a form-board survey from a licensed surveyor to ensure setback and slab elevation requirements. The other proposed ordinance would allow the zoning board of adjustment to waive certain yard area and setback requirements under certain circumstances.

Although not directly discussed in the June 10 meeting, both proposals grew out of an incident involving a house in the Belle Meadows neighborhood. In that case, city officials apparently approved construction of a house only to tell the builder, as completion neared, that the setback was off by about four feet.

Although the council discussed neither item during the regular meeting, it did meet with City Attorney Wade Adkins in a closed executive session during the workshop preceding the regular meeting. The closed session was held to discuss contemplated litigation regarding the Belle Meadows property. Council members declined to comment on the substance of the closed meeting.

In other council news:

zx The council appointed Jeff LeClair and re-appointed Casey Dugger and Ben Oefinger to the parks and recreation advisory board.

zx Mayor Ted Reynolds proclaimed July 6-12 as Flood Awareness Week.