Coldspring council handles grant business

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council approved measures relating to grant funds at it regular meeting on March 6.

Mayor John Benestante said that they are moving along on a $630,000 grant that will be used to install a sewer line along FM 2025, and will seek additional information from the residents along that route.

Since the grant is related to low-income homeowners, the city is asking the residents along the route to disclose their income bracket.

Benestante said they have more than 100 responses, but need more to show the percentage of low-income owners is correct.

By adding the line and additionally customers, sewer bills will ultimately be lower, since operational costs will be spread further out, he said. Currently, the plant is operating at 20 percent capacity, but have to operate as if full.

In related matters, the council approved resolutions approving policies for Fair Housing, excessive force, codes of conduct and civic participation, and hired Goodwin and Lassiter for engineering services.

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In another related matter, the city was approached by Central States Water Resources with a plan to purchase the city’s wastewater treatment plant; Benestante said he brought it before the council, which turned it down.

In other business, the city:

•vacated a planned election for May, as all incumbent alderman had no opponents;

•discussed changes to Hotel Occupancy Tax exemptions;

•heard a complaint from the Rev. I.P. Runge about trailer house storing pile of trash bags on property, a violation of health ordinances. City Attorney Greg McGee will notify property owner of the violation;

•discussed retirement and health plans for city employees; and

•discussed food trucks rules, which state the vendor must be mobile to qualify for a license. Benestante said some are starting to be permanent, and there are no specific regulations to ensure proper disposal of grease.