City to Donate Three Lots to Hope Hill; Open Mic St. Closure
The La Grange City Council voted unanimously at a meeting Monday to donate three lots in the Hope Hill Subdivision to Fayette County Habitat for Humanity.
The Christian nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse built the Hope Hill neighborhood for local victims of the 2017 Hurricane Harvey flood. Samaritan’s Purse built 20 homes in the neighborhood. In March of last year, the organization gifted the remaining 41 lots, including space for a future park, to the City of La Grange.
Fayette County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kenny Couch told the Council two weeks ago about the difficulties his organization has faced in finding lots to build upon. City Manager Shawn Raborn said Habitat plans to build houses that match the architecture of the ones built by Samaritan’s Purse.
“They have reached out to Samaritan’s Purse to get those house plans,” Raborn said. “They will have garages. They will meet the same conditions visually.”
Councilman Quenten Gonzalez asked Raborn about plans for the remaining empty lots. Raborn said the City’s agreement with Samaritan’s Purse stipulates that the City may not sell any lots within the first five years. During that time the City may donate the lots to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity that provide affordable housing programs.
“We’re in year two of that agreement,” Raborn said.
Raborn said the proposed agreement with Habitat would include a “reverter” clause that requires Habitat to build homes on the lots within a certain timeframe. If they fail to complete the homes, Raborn said, ownership of the lots would return to the City. Raborn said the City would require building permits and inspections, just like any other construction project in town. He said Habitat may request a waiver for permit fees.
Open Mic Events
The City Council unanimously approved a request from Fayette County Community Theater (FCCT) to close the 100 block of N. Washington St. on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
FCCT holds an open mic event on the third Thursday of each month at their box office and studio at 120 N. Washington St. In a letter to the Council, FCCT Operations Manager Heather Barthelme said the past two events in March and April were very well-attended and she expects the open mic night to increase in popularity.
Raborn said Police Chief David Gilbreath gave his blessing to the request.
Barthelme said the only business on the block open at that time is Bodega Wine Market.
“They are 100 percent onboard,” Barthelme said.
Drainage
Also at Monday’s meeting, Raborn presented the Council with an update on active projects. He reported that sewer and water lines have been installed at the La Grange Springs Apartments, which are under construction along US 77 north of St. Mark’s Hospital. Raborn said work is nearly complete on the Beefhead Ditch improvements. He said paving work would soon be finished on the covered portion of the ditch next to H-E-B. The project should be complete by the end of this month, he said.
Furthermore, Raborn said the City is developing a grant application to fund various drainage issues around town. The deadline to submit the grant is June 30.
City Hall Remodel
For many years the Council has discussed a remodel of City Hall, but so far, they have never budgeted funds for the proposal. Raborn said he solicited quotes for painting and carpet replacement earlier this year, but the City only received one quote for painting.
The quote came in at $35,000 – an amount so high that Raborn joked he might get into the painting business after he retires from the City. He said the City will solicit more quotes for the work.
Used Truck Value
In other business, Raborn said the City recently cashed-in on the booming used vehicle market. He said the City sold a 2011 pickup truck in an online auction for $12,000. He said the pickup was last used by the parks department and “was not in the best of shape.” Raborn said the City bought the pickup brand new in 2011 for $16,000.
“I think we got our money’s worth,” he said.