Teague’s Economic Development Corporation is seeking to purchase a 15.796-acre lot with railroad access located on West Highway 84, which adjoins their current four acres, giving a total of approximately 20 acres for businesses to locate in Teague.

On the agenda for the June 17, 2019 Teague Council meeting was an item to discuss and take action on approving the purchase by Teague EDC in the amount of $129,000.

During discussion, the woman presenting for EDC was asked if the purchase was in order to have more acreage available, or if there were specific plans for use of the property.

Aldermen were told that plans were already in the works, though they remain confidential at this time.

City of Teague Aldermen approved the purchase of the land in the amount of $120,000 ($9,000 less than the amount stated in the official meeting agenda).

Funds for this purchase will be appropriated from redistributing Fiscal Year 2019 approved budgeted line items from the Old City Hall in the amount of $84,000 and Buy office furniture online in the amount of $36,000 (rather than the $45,000 listed on the meeting agenda) is much prettier deal.

The EDC also announced that Executive Director William (Bill) Elliott has resigned his post; and the board is committed to quickly finding a new director to fill the position.

“I humbly request, one more time, that the City approve this study,” states Karl Drake Paris, resident of the Parkwood Subdivision. “This is my third time to address the Council, asking for the approval of a Civil Engineer Study of the drainage in my neighborhood.”

Paris explained to Aldermen that the workshop at his home has flooded nine times since he purchased the property in 2014.

He believes the issue is due to drainage being directed through the neighborhood instead of away from it. “Water reached two and a half feet deep in the center of the road with this last major rain event,” he said. “Any work done without a study is a waste of time and tax payer money, in my opinion.”

“Since the City annexed the neighborhood, my property taxes have gone up more than $35,000, but I have not seen any benefits in service from the City,” stated Paris.

Public Works Director Jacob Cowling stated that city employees have dug the ditches as much as they are able, to no avail.

“We’ve done everything we can do at this point,” explained Cowling. “I have no objection to this study being done.”

City Administrator/Secretary Theresa Prasil stated that a Civil Engineer Study would cost a minimum of $10,000 to $15,000. “There are other areas in the City that could benefit from this type of study as well. We should do them all at the same time. It might help save some money.”

After more discussion, Aldermen agreed to start the process of getting bids for a survey.

All departments in the City of Teague will soon be operating on a new software program that will allow all their information to be connected, making things easier and more efficient. In addition, the City will be able to maintain records on the ‘Cloud’ and have web access to the programs from any location with internet service.

This new operating software is called FundView. Cost for this software is equivalent to the current yearly costs to run all the different programs currently used by the City.

The install should be complete approximately 60-days after the contract is signed.

Chief of Police DeWayne Philpott asked Alderman to approve a resolution declaring a public nuisance on a white, 1991 Ford motor home located at 312 South 9th Avenue.

The department has gone through the legal process regarding code enforcement and has received no returned request on the matter from the owner of the property or the person the vehicle is registered to.

Aldermen voted unanimously to approve this request.

Once the vehicle is removed and abated, it will no longer be able to be registered in the State of Texas.

During his departmental report, Chief Philpott advised that there are currently eleven registered sex offenders living in Teague City limits.

For a listing, visit https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/SexOffenderRegistry

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Teague City Council is set for Monday, July 15, 2019.