City to supplement funds for road work

SHEPHERD — A shortfall in grant funds will mean the city of Shepherd will have to use general funds to finish repairs.

City Secretary Debra Hagler said that at the Oct. 9 City Council meeting, the council approved supplementing FEMA funds to get the FEMA grant-funded road projects completed.

Hagler said that the city had a difficult time getting bids, and those quotes were for more than the grant funds, so city will chip in $23,000 to match the $69,000 in grant funds.

Those projects include repairing 400 feet on Myrtie Street, 250 feet on Castleberry Street, 130 feet on Hickory Street, all of Seals Avenue and L.J. Charles Street, and a portion of Fifth Street.

In other business, the council:

•granted a manufactured home variance request for Natash Carr;

•granted a manufactured home variance request for Mary Foster;

•approved a replat for 21 Seals Avenue for the Contreras family to create equal lots from two unequal lots;

•discussed a lot split at 610 S. Railroad, which will be presented to the city attorney for review;

•approved the purchase of a 2022 Chevy Silverado for $32,000 to replace a vehicle for the Public Works Department, to be funded with ARPA funds;

•gave its annual approval for the 2023 Investment Policy;

•approved hiring Fresnal Than as a prosecutor for the city; and

•discussed installing new streetlights on Railroad Avenue.