ROW management focus of new ordinance
The Navasota City Council held its first Regular meeting of the new year Monday, Jan. 13, and approved the first reading of Ordinance 913-20 addressing right of way management.
City Manager Brad Stafford said, “We continued to receive requests from telecommunications providers to install fiber optic lines and other equipment in our ROW. Several years ago, you may remember that the state removed our ability to grant a franchise to telecommunicators. It’s been difficult for us to deal with folks coming in and requesting use of the ROW. Not that we want to restrict it, the problem is knowing what we’re getting, when we’re getting it and where it’s going to locate.”
According to Stafford, city utility crews have encountered ROWs “crammed pack” with utilities. The ordinance will require telecommunicators to get a permit and provide as-built maps that the City will insert into its GIS mapping system.
Filing opens for city election
Applications for a place on the City of Navasota May 2 General Election ballot are being accepted Jan. 15 through Feb. 14. Candidates may file at City Hall, 200 E. McAlpine, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to City Secretary Susie Homeyer, candidates must have been a citizen of Navasota 12 months before the election and cannot hold another office other than that of notary public.
Council positions up for reelection are Place 1 currently held by Bernie Gessner, Place 2 held by Geoff Horn and Place 3 held by Josh Fultz.
West side property rezoning approved
After a public hearing with comments received from James Havens, council members approved the first reading of Ordinance 912-20, rezoning six properties in or adjacent to the River Haven subdivision on W. Washington Avenue/SH 105 West.
Four of the six are undeveloped properties owned by Havens and several family members and were rezoned from A/O to R-1C, residential low-density single dwelling units with 2-acre lots or larger that complement the lot sizes within the subdivision.
The two remaining lots were rezoned to R-3, high density, multi-dwelling units to encourage multifamily development.
Council also approved rezoning two properties in the Industrial Park area northwest of S. LaSalle and FM 379 from Agriculture/Open Space District (A/O) to M-1, Light Industrial.
Other council action:
•Approved Resolution 667-20 supporting the rehabilitation of Navasota Landing Apartments and waiver of permit fees in the amount of $250 due to a clerical error in the original resolution, 666-19 approved Dec. 9, 2019.
•Approved the reappointment of Dr. Todd Matthews to the Airport Advisory Board.
•Approved consent agenda items that included the minutes and expenditures for December 2019.
•After meeting in Executive Session per Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code for the annual performance review of City Manager, Brad Stafford, approved amending Stafford’s employment contract to add one week’s vacation in 2020.
Staff report:
•Received a report from Stafford on area storm damage. City facilities needing repairs are the Navasota Center and the compost center.
•Received reports from Marketing Coordinator Madison Brooks regarding Home for the Holidays and the Texas Birthday Bash. TBB contracts with vendors and sponsors are being finalized.
•Received introductions to new police department employees, Patrolman Logan Peck, Evidence Tech Allison Lys and Records Clerk Sementa Cosino.
•Police Chief Shawn Myatt shared the results of the NPD’s No Razor November and Operation Blue Santa.
•Utility Director Jeff Greer reported on the status of repairs to the groundwater storage tank and a sewer project on Ella Street.
•Streets and Sanitation Director Jose Coronilla reported the completion of the Foster Street Drainage Project.
•Finance Director Lance Hall presented the City of Navasota Quarterly Investment report.