Council adopts budget, closes undeveloped street
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By Emily Banks Wooten
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A public hearing on the budget for the fiscal year that runs Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023 drew no comments during the regular meeting of the Livingston City Council on Sept. 13. Council approved an ordinance adopting the budget and also approved budget adjustments for the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.
Council accepted a petition from Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hubby to vacate, abandon and close an unnamed and undeveloped street containing 0.196 acre between Blocks 18 and 19 of the South Livingston Addition. The Hubbys own a house and property on South Beatty. According to City Attorney James W. Wright, a 1919 map and a 1935 map show the unnamed street in question as being undeveloped. “I feel they’ve met the requirements to close the street,” Wright said. Council approved an ordinance vacating, abandoning and closing said property.
The annual firefighting agreement between the City of Livingston and Polk County for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023 was approved.
A resolution designating the Polk County Enterprise as the official newspaper of the City of Livingston for the upcoming fiscal year was approved.
Council also approved a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 597 which authorized the sale of a 1987 Ranger Femfab walk-in heavy rescue fire truck.
After reviewing the bids received, Council awarded Griffin Electric the contract for the U.S. Hwy. 59 crossing underground electric installation, an upcoming project in which existing overhead electric lines on Willis Street on the west side of the bypass will be relocated underground.
Council set public hearings on the determination of unsafe and/or dilapidated buildings for 5 p.m. Oct. 11 for two properties:
A residential structure owned by Texas Specialty Homes, L.P. located at 302 Leopard St., as an unsafe and/or dilapidated building, the property being described as: Lot One (1), Block Fourteen (14) of the Dunbar Addition, an addition to the City of Livingston, in Polk County, Texas, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 1, Page 107 of the Plat Records of Polk County, Texas, also known as 302 Leopard St., Livingston, Texas; and
A residential structure owned by Gregory John located at 204 Younger Street, as an unsafe and/or dilapidated building, the property being described as: Lots Three (3) and Four (4), Block Seven (7) of the Pinecrest Addition to the City of Livingston, as shown by the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 1, Page 21 of the Plat Records of Polk County, Texas, as described in deed dated September 7, 2008 from Elissie B. John to Gregory Wayne John, recorded in Volume 1663, Page 256 of the Official Public Records of Polk County, Texas.
Following an executive session to review the proposed salary schedule for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023, Council approved it upon return to open session.
City Manger Bill S. Wiggins reported the September sales tax report from the state comptroller’s office for the month of July reflects $397,643.65, an increase of 6.48% over July of last year.
Updating Council regarding current development projects, Wiggins reported that Tracey Kincade bought the old Billy’s Donuts at 1026 W. Church St. and is renovating it and will call it Alma’s Donuts. He said that Kincade has also been visiting with city officials about a possible renovation for a new venue location on the second floor of 318 N. Washington.
He reported that the city had a pre-development meeting with CP Homes Memory Care to discuss a new memory care facility to be located at 1864 N. Washington.
Wiggins reported that the Habitat for Humanity Resale Shop has relocated to the old Sears building at 321 N. Beatty.
He said the permit has been issued and work is ongoing on the new Pizza Hut located at 1205 W. Church St.
Wiggins reported there is an ongoing buildout for Serenity Spa located at 1207 W. Church St.
Joseph and Daniel Smith are renovating Malcolm Jones’ old building at 415 N. Washington to become an event venue called The Vault.
Victory Lending, a payday loan group, will be located at 1213 W. Church St. but there is no opening date as of yet.
Wiggins reported that Janice McCanus moved Crave Nutrition from Denham Street to a new location at 1211 W. Church St. and the certificate of occupancy has been issued.
A certificate of occupancy has also been issued to Taco Bueno at 2001 U.S. Hwy. 190 West although it is not open yet as they are in the process of training their staff.
Wiggins reported that Wendy’s at 1819 U.S. Hwy. 190 West is completed and open for business.
Other business included approval of accounts over $500 and minutes of the August 9 meeting.
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LIVINGSTON — Livingston Volunteer Fire Department received a $20,000 grant to purchase new fire/rescue equipment through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance. The grant was used to purchase a spreader, cutter and ram for use in vehicle extrications and in forcible entry at emergency scenes. 
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