Kerens Council Discuss Tribune Office

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By E. Haddock

The Kerens City Council met for its regular November meeting and discussed several important issues, including a dangerous downtown building, updates from city departments, code enforcement, equipment purchases, and upcoming Christmas events.

Downtown Building Safety
The council spent significant time discussing a deteriorating building downtown, the former location of the Kerens Tribune. The cost to tear down the building will cost an estimated $75,000.00. The owner, Randy Vineyard, has proposed to turn the location into apartments using shipping containers.

Reports of children entering the unsafe location pose a safety risk.

During the meeting, it was determined that the building needs to be fully gutted and secured. According to interim City Secretary Cindy Scott, the building owner has secured the location since last week’s meeting.

This discussion will continue when it is returned to the agenda in February.

A summary of the key points from the meeting is below:
Department Reports

Water Department: Water treatment plant pump has been repaired.

Sewer & Street Departments: No major updates.

Police Department:
15 incident reports
3 arrests
2 felony arrests, including injury to a child

Animal Control:
Aggressive pit bull incident
Owner instructed to confine the dog

Court: No trials until December.

Tax Office:
95% of taxes collected
First check for new taxes received

City Office:
Difficulty obtaining correct diaphragm valve for North Tank
Cannot service flotation tank until correct part arrives
Court sanitizer has malfunctioned three times

Code Enforcement and Operations
A search warrant was executed related to an ongoing investigation.
A trailer home on Wright Street continues to have unresolved structural problems.
The old service station remains not boarded up despite being condemned.
Citations will be issued for noncompliance.

Zoning & Development
Shipping container apartment projects will continue to be discussed.
Council decided to table the project until February.

Holiday & Community Events
Chili, Cocoa & Cookies event is set for December 4th, including Santa photos. The Christmas Parade will be held on this date as well.
Kerens Volunteer Fire Department’s Toy Drive has begun – residents are encouraged to sign up early.
KVFD will help families who miss the county Angel Tree deadline.

The meeting ended at 7:52 p.m. next month’s meeting will be held Monday December 8th instead of the usual Tuesday nights.