The Livingston City Council approved a resolution extending the disaster declaration for an additional 30 days during its regular meeting July 9. During that same meeting, Council approved authorization to advertise for requests for proposals for storm-related debris removal, site management, reduction and disposal.
“This is the first step. There was lots of wind, trees down, limbs. Right now, we are clearing the streets, but we’re going to ask the citizens to get their limbs to the curbs and we will start the process on Monday. We have two chipper trucks and we want to let the community know to get your stuff out to the curbs and the chipper trucks will come by,” City Manager Bill S. Wiggins said.
“There were more wind issues than rain and power outages all over Southeast Texas, including us, but our guys were prepared. Once the wind subsided, our guys got to work. Two electrical crews from Seguin, Texas were brought in to help with electrical work. All we’re waiting on is having that line energized and up and the city will be up and running,” Wiggins said.
“Matthews Street Park took a hard hit and we lost some good trees. We’re getting beat up pretty good, but we’ve got the right team. We’re working through this. Our staff is just incredible – the police department, the fire department, public works department, the office staff – we had ladies answering phones until 10 p.m. on Monday night,” he said.
Wiggins also reported that there are presently 15 commercial projects underway and 21 residential home permits issued.
Several items were on the agenda regarding the Nov. 5 General Election. Council approved ordering the election, approved a resolution establishing procedures for the election, approved posting notice of the election and approved a joint contract for election services with Polk County. The mayor’s seat and two council member seats will be on the Nov. 5 ballot for election to two-year terms from November 2024 to November 2026. Filing for a place on the ballot begins July 20 and will conclude on Aug. 19.
Council approved issuing a request for proposals for the lease of the Livingston Municipal Golf Course and also approved the authorization of a committee to review the proposals and come back with a recommendation. The present lease was set to expire in December and with the golf course having sustained tremendous damage during the last flood, the city let the lessee out of the lease early. Wiggins said that 11 people representing six different groups have expressed interest and that the city can either lease it or run it themselves. He added that there are several conditions if it is leased. It has to be public, it has to be open year-round and it has to include the retirement community and the dynamic youth program that was started and is presently booming.
Commenting that the Consumer Price Index is at 3.3% over the last 12 months, Wiggins had Council review a proposed cost of living adjustment for the employee salary schedule, to be effective Oct. 1.
Cuncil was slated to discuss and consider possible action on the appeal of denial of a sign permit and request for variance for offpremises signage at 220 FM 350 North by Henry O. Ager III, IDK LLC and Dwayne Vickery, but the item was tabled until the August meeting.
Council entered into an executive session to consult with the city attorney and discuss personnel, specifically, the performance evaluation of the city manager. No action was taken, however, upon return to open session.
Other business included approval of accounts over $500 and approval of the minutes of the June 7 special meeting and June 11 regular meeting.
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