EDC Taking Bids On Lock-N-Leave Building

The Canton Economic Development Corporation learned last Tuesday they have 10 bidders on the First Monday building which will be turned into a Lock-N-Leave.

Those bids and others turned in before deadline will be opened June 23.

City manager Andy McCuistion explained that once those bids are opened and a recommendation is made by the engineering firm, then a special meeting will be called to begin the process.

In other business the CEDC board:

-heard updates from CEDC Executive Director Mercy Rushing concerning an assistant director’s position which is currently being advertised for.

Rushing said her office has, as of the meeting date, received 12 applications with most of those being from North and Northeast Texas.

The deadline for applications is June 26, and once the July 4 holiday has passed, she said the interview process will begin.

Rushing also reported that she is working on finding a group to do an economic development impact study of First Monday Trade Days.

"We are hoping this is something we can put into the budget next year," Rushing said.

She also noted, during her report that she has contacted the president/ceo of Steelway International to let him know that as of July 1, 2009 his option is up for the industrial park.

She said that he is on vacation and she had not heard from him at the time of the meeting.

In other reports, Rushing said she is working with the city of CEDC property maintenance.

She said there is money budgeted for upkeep and there are three pieces of property that need to be kept maintained so she has received some bids for mowing which came under budget at $3,125.

Rushing also reported that the CEDC rental property located at 351 Groves Street is now vacant and the house has been inspected by city code enforcement officer Coy Prather who told her it needed some electrical and carpentry work to be brought up to code.

Rushing said the city and chamber have requested to purchase the building.

The board requested Rushing get an estimate on costs for brining the building up to code.

She then reported on the Trader’s Village Strip Center, which is currently being brought up to code with electrical rewiring on the inside of the building.

Rushing finally reported on the gateway sign on the Interstate.

She reported having met with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials who have visited the proposed site for the welcome sign.

"They have pretty much approved everything at this point," Rushing said.

She is currently trying to get estimates for cost.

"It is like an entrance to our living room," she said.

Rushing said the city council has to enter into an agreement with TxDOT because the city will need to maintain the property after it is built.

-approved city of Canton utility easement on CEDC’s 60-acre tract located on State Highway 19 south.

Ray Brumley with Gary Burton Engineering re-addressed an issue brought before the board during last months meeting.

"In the last meeting, somebody on the board specifically asked me the dimensions on this site for the lift station," Brumley said. "I misspoke and said it would be 150 by 150."

Brumley explained that when drilling a well engineers try to gain 150 foot sanitary control radius.

He noted the site will actually be 300 by 250.

-approved the May 2009 financial statements.

-approved minutes from the May 12 and May 26 meetings.