City Moves Forward On Lock-N-Leave Building

The city council voted to move forward on the proposed First Monday Lock-N-Leave Building.

In February the council instructed the city to move forward with the re-design of Pavilion 4.

Since that time engineers have been working on the design of the building with city manager Andy McCuistion.

Based on the rentable square feet of the building, McCuistion said the proposal came in at approximately $522,000, $500,000 of which will be paid for by the Canton Economic Development Corporation.

McCuistion proposed a rental fee of $1.25 per square foot, which he estimates would pay the facility off in five to six years.

With the current design, McCuistion said there are 28 spaces in the building.

He went on to say he has a list of people very interested in renting a space.

Mayor Rusty Wilson said he would like to see how the other building being built by Scott Perkins does before the city moves forward.

"If we are going to build the thing, we need to build it," council member Ross Maris said.

"This is going to be the ‘Cadillac’ Lock-N-Leave building on the grounds for the money we are spending on it compared to what the others are," Maris continued. "I think we ought to be in the forefront of the rates, instead of trying to set our rates lower than everybody else."

Maris also said the premium spots should be more expensive, if they have more exposure to customers and the grounds.

Wilson said they should look at putting living quarters in the building.

Although rental rates will be discussed after the building is complete, the council voted to move forward.

In other business the council:

-held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 2009-17 authorizing a specific use permit for a private club at Mill Creek RV Park and Resort planned development located a 2102 North Trade Days Blvd. owned by Cottage Investors L.L.C.

"This went through the Planning & Zoning Commission and was a request for a private club permit for Mill Creek RV Park," Prather explained. "A private club permit will authorize them to possess and mix, on premises, alcoholic beverages for consumption only for members."

Maris questioned whether this meant they were approving the license to sell alcohol or the zoning.

Prather explained the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) approves the alcohol licensing; the city has the authority to approve the zoning change.

Council member Robert Brockman made the motion to accept the zoning change, which was seconded by Maris. Council member Clay Nicklas was in opposition.

-held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 2009-16 effecting a zoning change from Rural Agricultural (RA) to General Business District (B-2) on 4.0-acre tract of land located at 24980 Highway 64 east, owned by the city of Canton.

"This is the city complex on Highway 64," Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Coy Prather explained. "Part of the zoning ordinance and local government code, when you annex property, is it comes in as agricultural, and this is to make the permanent zoning as a B-2."

-presented the Rayford Hutcherson Memorial Scholarship to Emily Sterling, and the First Monday Scholarship to Jessica Peterson

The scholarships are $1,000 per year, for four years.

-adopted Resolution 2009-09 authorizing origination of American National Bank Treasury Management services.

-appointed Clay Nicklas as mayor pro tem.

-heard from Wilson who made appointment to council committees which include the following:

Public Safety Committee-Ross Maris and Clay Nicklas,

Streets/Public Works Committee-Lou Ann Everett and Charles Huddle,

Water/Waste Water Planning Committee-Ross Maris and Robert Brockman,

Finance/Audit Committee-Lou Ann Everett and Robert Brockman,

Parks & Recreation Committee-Clay Nicklas

First Monday Committee-to be announced.

-appointment to ad-hoc marketing advisory committee includes Linda Hatfield, Martha Jane Wallace, Debbie Davis Jennifer Johnson, Mike Malouf and Johnny Blevins.

-appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission which include the appointment of Brad Williams and Mike Phillips, and re-appointment of Elisa Heard.

-appointments to Board of Adjustments which include the appointment of Sandra Perry and Bud Surles as an alternate.

-heard a brief report from Municipal Judge Lilia Durham who informed the council that her office has cleared 24 citations and brought in $9,000.

-heard a marketing report from Mercy Rushing who recently attending a show in Tyler.

-approved minutes from the April 23 council meeting.

-approved the April 2009 financial statements.

Sales tax receipts are reported at $1.3 million, which is 3.12 percent over the same period as last year.

-tabled a proposal for interlocal agreement with Van Zandt County for the provision of fire services. The motion was tabled with no discussion.