Polk County News - Breakout

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Lilly and Lola’s Boutique won the winning table design at Polk County Annual Designer Purse Bingo Thursday night. Over 900 people participated in the event which was a fundraiser for the Polk County Higher Education and Technology Foundation. Lilly and Lola’s Boutique is located in Main Street Merchandise at 312 N. Washington. Standing (l-r) Margie Rainer, Sherry Everett, Stacey Bravenec, Shaundra Payton, Maklisha Payton, Heidi Newton, Tricia Daniel and Melissa Long. Seated (l-r) Kim Louw and Cheyenne Louw.Courtesy photo

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From Enterprise Staff

An error was inadvertently made regarding the enrollment numbers at Goodrich ISD in an article that appeared in the Oct. 2 issue of the Polk County Enterprise.

Goodrich ISD Superintendent Daniel Barton and Livingston ISD Superintendent Dr. Brent E. Hawkins were the guest speakers at the Sept. 27 quarterly membership luncheon of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

We incorrectly reported that Goodrich ISD ended the last school year with 119 students and started the current school year with 223 students. In actuality, GISD ended the 2021-2022 school year with approximately 222 students and started the 2022-2023 school year with approximately 270 students. We apologize for the error.

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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“The burn ban is still in effect. Please, please stress to everyone to be very, very careful with fires,” Livingston City Manager Bill S. Wiggins pleaded during the Oct. 11 meeting of the Livingston City Council. He remarked that the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, along with all the fire departments in the county, are being run ragged with fires.

Wiggins updated Council regarding current development projects. These include: Alma’s Donuts at 1026 W. Church; CP Homes Memory Care/CP Homes at 1864 N. Washington; Highway 190 Apartments at 909 E. Church; King Ranch John Deere Dealership & Turf Business at 510 U.S. Hwy. 59 Loop South; Livingston ISD concession stand at 400 FM 350 South; Livingston Pioneer Crossing Apartments at 1101 Dogwood; On The Run Truckstop at 911 E. Church; Serenity Spa at 1207 W. Church; The Vault Venue at 415 N. Washington; and four residences located in The Retreat Living LLC – 106 Sunset, 120 Sunshine, 107 Sunrise and 105 Getaway.

Completed projects include: Crave Nutrition at 1211 W. Church; Habitat for Humanity Restore at 321 N. Beatty; Pizza Hut at 1205 W. Church; Victory Lending at 1213 W. Church and the demolition of the Girl Scout Daisy house in Matthews Street Park.

Council was slated to discuss and consider possible action on the city’s personnel policy update but opted to table it until next month to have more time to review it. Wiggins informed Council that the personnel policy that city employees currently work under was adopted in April 2008 and has undergone many updates and amendments since then. Beginning in March, Wiggins, along with City Secretary/Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance Director Ellie Monteaux and Human Resources Coordinator Stacy Edwards undertook the task of updating the personnel policy.

The reappointment of Mayor Judy Cochran as a director for the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency (SRMPA) Board of Directors for the 2022-2024 term was approved. SRMPA provides electricity to its three member cities – Livingston, Liberty and Jasper. The board comprises two representatives from each of the member cities who serve staggered two-year terms.

Council approved the city’s pro-rata share of the 2022 dues for Brazos Transit which are $4,200.

City officials are continuing efforts to eradicate unsafe and dilapidated buildings from the city. Public hearings were held on the determination of two unsafe and/or dilapidated buildings, specifically, a residential structure owned by Texas Specialty Homes, L.P. located at 302 Leopard St. and a residential structure owned by Gregory John located at 204 Younger Street. Fire Marshal/Code Enforcement Officer Josh Mohler provided testimony during both hearings. At the conclusion of the public hearings, Council approved the demolition of both properties.

In similar activity, Council set public hearings on the determination of unsafe and/or dilapidated buildings for two additional properties as well. These include:

A residential structure located at 1008 Dunbar Ave. owned by Dunbar Livingston 1008, LLC, the property being described as: Lot 6 of Block 1 of the Viola Jones Addition, a subdivision in the City of Livingston, in Polk County, Texas, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 1, Page 98 of the Plat Records of Polk County, Texas, also known as 1008 Dunbar Ave., Livingston, Texas, set for public hearing at 5 p.m. Nov. 8; and

A residential structure and outbuildings owned by Joseph McCandless and Manda Kay McCandless, located at 106 N. East Ave., the property being described as: 1.262 acre of land in the M.L. Choate Survey, A-15, Polk County, Texas, called to be Lot 2 of Block 3 of the Meece Addition to the City of Livingston, and described in deed dated Nov. 14, 2019 from Annis Lee Crowley to Joseph McCandless and wife, Manda Kay McCandless, recorded in Volume 2234, Page 193 of the Official Public Records of Polk County, Texas, set for public hearing at 5 p.m. Jan. 10.

Although Council entered into an executive session to consult with the city attorney, no action was taken upon return to open session.

Other business included approval of accounts over $500 and minutes of the August 9 meeting.

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A “Trunk-a-Treat” Halloween is planned at Goodrich City Hall Oct. 29 at 5-7 p.m.

By Brian Besch
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The Goodrich City Council approved dates for upcoming holiday festivities, and heard issues on utility lines and the wastewater pond in Thursday’s regular meeting for October.

The new RV park that will be behind the church at the end of Katie Simpson Road has an issue with the existing city sewer lines. The line is not deep enough and goes uphill quite a bit, according to city contractors.

Two options were given for a potential fix. The first — relaying the entire line — was more expensive. The materials for 300 feet of line could run up to $12,000. The other option was the city installing in a lift station that already needed to go in, as well as a pump tank. That was said to be a $3,000-$4,000 option.

The city chose to go with the cheaper option, understanding that there was already a lift station needed. Another $3,000 will be needed to connect water to the area, branching off a pipe that runs down FM 1988.

Last week, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality examined the wastewater pond and city contractors feel as though they graded well. However, a wood baffle has broken on one of the concrete chambers, and once set up again, there was no flow. An engineer that will arrive in the coming week will give the city recommendations for repairs. A valve will also likely be needed outside of one of the wells. 

Ryan Green has asked the council to consider hourly rentals for the Goodrich Community Center. The rental fee is currently $200 for the day. He is hoping to teach martial arts and wants to keep costs for his students down. Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson said she hoped to have all council members present for discussion before deciding on any changes.

The council approved a partnership with the Greater East Texas Community Action Program. City Secretary Felicia Garrett said the program is a non-profit organization helping those who are unable to cover the cost of their utility bills. When citizens call for help, they are asked a series of questions and then approved or denied. Upon approval, a check is sent to the city. Though wanting to learn a little more about the program, a few council members agreed that the program seemed to be a good idea.

The “Trunk-a-Treat” Halloween is planned for Goodrich City Hall Oct. 29 at 5-7 p.m. A costume contest has been added this year, where children 13 and under will step from their vehicle and have a picture taken. Costumes will be judged and prizes will be given to those who win. Face painting had been mentioned, but the council decided against it this year for safety concerns. There was a discussion that a partnership with the school district next year could present opportunities for more activities.

Council also decided on a few other events for the holidays. They will hold the council’s yearly Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. The annual lighting of the Christmas tree will occur Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.

The Goodrich Christmas Market Day and Lighted Parade will be the first Saturday of December, as always. This year, that date is Dec. 3. To enter a float in the parade, a form must be filled out and handed in to City Hall. The city council plans to enter a float in this year’s parade and may be the team to beat. Vendors have already begun calling and the plan is currently to have spaces with electricity for $35. Vendors are very encouraged to bring long extension cords.