Corsicana Council Moves Forward With Humane Society

By Mark Archibald

The Corsicana City Council approved the creation of a reinvestment zone consisting of ninety-five acres encompasses the former State home property located on Second Avenue and 45th Street in Corsicana.

The reinvestment zone designation will also enable the city to pursue other projects which might yield additional residential or commercial development opportunities in the future.

“The city has owned the former state home property for a number of years and have received interest from developers at different times,” said Corsicana’s Assistant City Manager for Community and Economic Development, John Boswell.

The reinvestment zone will remain active for five years and allows for development agreements similar to the agreement between the city and the Humane Society of Navarro County which was also approved Monday.

Council members approved the developmental agreement with Humane Society paving the way for the Humane Society to build a 2500 sq foot building on approximately 0.39 acres of the former state home property.

The space will house the spay and neuter program facilities as well as the Humane Society’s Offices.
Julie Maupin thanked the council and city for their continued dedication and willingness to assist with the ongoing project.

Mayor Joe Hill said, “We are so excited about this program, the city looks forward to continuing to partner with Navarro County to provide the best services possible for the taxpayers dollar.”

The council also approved the creation of an East Neighborhood Historic Committee.

Chaired by Barbara Kelley, the seven-member committee is tasked with planning, studying, and advocating for the preservation and history of the East Neighborhood.

The committee also hopes to develop and carry out efforts to improve the overall quality and character of the neighborhood.

The action followed the approval of an amendment to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

The council also authorized the sale, donation, trade, or disposal, of surplus, property, including older vehicles.

The council authorized the city to apply for a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, concerning the catalytic converter theft protection program.

Discussions about the item centered around the city’s use and maintenance of the flock cameras and whether or not state grant money could be used to purchase and maintain the additional cameras that are requested.

The mayor’s appointments to various boards and commissions were approved.

The council heard updates from the Corsicana Housing Authority which has two locations in Corsicana, is open to all including elderly and disabled populations. The housing authority is a not-for-profit entity which provides low-cost housing and utilities for qualified individuals. The Housing Authority locations are currently near 100% occupancy.

Those interested in learning more about the Housing Authority are encouraged to call the Corsicana Housing Authority Office at (903) 872-5643, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, on Monday-Wednesday and Fridays.

The council also received a preliminary financial snapshot from Corsicana Finance Director Val Rich, in preparation for the next budget.

The city’s finances are open for public review on the city’s website.

The mayor, council and city manager recognized the contributions of Marcie Rosson as part of Texas’s 57th annual Municipal Clerks week, May 3-9.

The city’s monthly Economic Development meeting will be held at the Corsicana Public Library on May 5 at 9 a.m.

The spray parks located at Corsicana’s Community and Bunert Parks will open May 8.

The spray parks will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. until September 8.

An E-Waste Day will be held on May 9, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the North parking lot of the Navarro County Youth Expo.

The Corsicana City Council’s May meetings will be held May 11, and May 18 in order to canvass the vote from the May 2 election.

The final meeting in May was moved to observe the Memorial Day.

About Author

navcochron

See author's posts