City manager David Blackburn said the agencies have made their 2009-10 requests through the city’s general fund and its hotel/motel tax fund. He also said that it’s too early to tell if the city will spend more or less money on the agencies for the upcoming year - saying the city is in the middle of the budget process right now and that decisions would be made over the course of the summer.
Each group presented an overview of its work, any programs that need funding, and the benefits and consequences of not funding the programs.
Most of the presentations sounded similar, as each group had a leader speak. For example, when presenting for the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, director Judy Covington said that if the museum were to close because of funding issues, there would be a “historical, educational and cultural identity” loss in the city.
Several agencies gave presentations during the council’s last board meeting - 19 agencies asked for about $866,822 for the upcoming year from the general fund compared to $724,541 last year. They received about $426,000.
Other items discussed:
n Council members discussed a home at 1014 N. Third Street during the workshop, and possible issues with the city’s ordinance mandating that any construction in Temple’s Historic District, located in north Temple, have a Certificate of Appropriateness.
The certificates are suppose to make sure that any home construction stays in a consistent flow structurally with its neighborhood. The Building & Standards Commission awards the certificates, after going through the city’s Construction Safety Office.
Using the address as an example, council member Tony Jeter voiced displeasure with the way the city awards the certificates, saying that there’s a “general lack of consistency as to how they are approved” because of how the driveway was originally designed at the location.
Mayor Bill Jones III and Blackburn said they would have city staff look into evaluating the certificate process, as well as the city’s parking provisions. Blackburn said the city has received complaints about cars being parked on property like front yards and the sides of homes. The city has no ordinance limiting residential parking other than that cars, boats and trailers cannot be parked over sidewalks.
n During their council meeting, members were also presented a copy of the city’s proposed Community Development and Block Grant (CDBG) plan through the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) for 2009-10.
The city is expected to award $72,175 to public service agencies through the grant, including the Temple Help Center, $15,000; Aware Central Texas, $10,000; Family Promise, $16,087; Hill Country CAA Inc., $15,000; and Families in Crisis, $16,088. The awards are separate from the requests for funds from the general fund.
The city is also expected to use the grant to make improvements to a bridge in Jeff Hamilton Park, at a cost of $75,000, and make $120,000 in improvements to the sidewalks off Avenue G. They’re also planning on putting in three new HOP bus shelters in the city limits, at a cost of $45,000.
Final adoption of the plan to use the CDBD grant will be made in July.
n Council members also approved an item approving the articles of incorporation and bylaws for the South Central High-Speed Rail and Transportation Authority Inc., a local government corporation whose purpose is to promote high-speed rail passenger service in Texas.
In April, council members decided to form a local high-speed rail corporation, which is seeking a contract with the state to implement high-speed rail service through the city to other areas in the state.
