Hawkins City Council
Sale of dump site considered;Environment Funding sought
By JOHN SPARKS
Meeting in regular session, Monday, April 20, the Hawkins City Council discussed the possible sale of city property formerly used as a garbage dump site and voted to seek funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The council also voted to seek a contractor to repair lights at the softball fields.
Mayor Sam Bradley initiated discussion regarding the sale of approximately two-acres of city-owned land that had served as a dump site in years past. Bradley said an adjacent property owner has approached him with an inquiry about acquiring the land for pasture use. After considerable discussion, the consensus among council members is that the legal considerations of such a sale need to be reviewed with the city's attorney.
Mayor Bradley also presented a resolution seeking authority to pursue funding from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) which would be used for weed control and mosquito spraying at the two used tire recycling storage sites. Bradley said he believed up to $15,000 could be available from the state agency.
Budgeted funds are available to replace lights at the softball and baseball fields at the youth sports park. Council asked Mayor Bradley to seek a contractor to do the replacement work.
A lively discussion centered on the number of vacant lots which are not being mowed or cared for by their owners. In the past, city workers have mowed offending properties, but collection for such service, which is mandated in city ordinance, has been a problem. Council suggested that tickets be issued by City Fire Marshal John Jones with attendant fines and that the city consider seeking liens on property owners who ignore citations and billings from the city.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Hawkins City Council is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m. A special meeting of the council can be called with 72 hours public notice.
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