Monday evening, the Collinsville City Council approved the updated construction plat for the King’s Crossing Addition.
The addition involves an area of about 14.8 acres of land located north of FM 902 and east of N. Broadway Street.
It would include 48 HOA lots (including one lot to be owned and operated by the city) and an updated plat proposal allowed for detention ponds for drainage, landscaping/screening around FM 902.
The Planning & Zoning board recommended the approval of the plat. City Engineer Clint Bissett made recommendations to the engineering firm (he noticed a few discrepancies with some calculations, which the firm is addressing) and the firm will verify some property corners to ensure streets are properly aligned.
Alderman Jessica Orsburn motioned to approve the updated plat. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Benny McKee seconded. The motion carried.
During the Citizens to Be Heard portion of the meeting, Tim Campbell, owner of Silo’s Coffee, Smoothies & Cones, addressed the council seeking help.
“We’ve been trying to open Silo’s Coffee for awhile now, and we keep hitting roadblocks,” Campbell said. “First with the Grayson County Health Department, and now with the City of Collinsville.”
Campbell, whose original plan was to open a mobile unit, is now wanting the business to be a fixed unit. As a result, there are new challenges to opening his business. The latest issue was a working restroom for patrons.
“I found this bathroom to install,” Campbell said, holding up a photo of a facility, “but now I’m told this isn’t good enough. I keep getting told what I can’t do, but I’m not getting any help.”
Around 20 community members were in attendance in support of Silo’s Coffee. The business would serve specialty coffees, smoothies, bagels, oatmeal and more.
“A lot of people want to see us open,” Campbell said. “Can someone please call me after this meeting to see what we can do to become a permanent structure here in town?”
City Administrator Dannielle Talley assured him they were looking into it.
Next, Tiffany Drake, a professional registered nurse and Grayson County native, introduced herself to the council and placed her bid to be the State House Representative for District 62.
Drake is running on a three-point platform of public education (she wants to vote against school vouchers); affordable housing (she has created a 10-point plan she wants to take to Austin); and healthcare (her goal is to increase/improve rural hospitals around Texas). Learn more about her and her platform at www.drakefortexas.com
Collinsville citizen Melody Graves also addressed the council, bringing to their attention a concern among citizens that there appeared to be some questionable information on the city’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) map. Due to a date posted on the map, Graves said, some people were concerned that the city was trying to expand the ETJ without citizens knowing.
“I’ve explained that if the city was trying to do that, there would have to be hearings and meetings for the public,” Graves said. “But I just wanted to let you know that this is alarming to some.”
The council thanked her for bringing this to their attention.
Next, the department heads gave their reports. Joe Pembroke with the Public Works department reported they completed 73 service orders for the month and fixed six leaks in water pipes. They’ve installed 690 cellular meters with just over 400 to go. Two of the city’s commercial mowers are in the shop and are in line to be serviced.
Betty Graham with Keep Collinsville Beautiful (KCB) reported that the new wall at the donut shop has been finished. In addition to the masonry work that was done, conduits have been added for future lighting. There are no updates on the TxDOT grant/project.
Orsburn (on behalf of the Park Association) said they’re gathering bids for a gazebo, basketball court and possibly soccer goals for the park. They’ve held two showings of their Movie on the Square. While the events were successful, holding the movies outdoors involves too many obstacles, so the event has been moved inside the Community Building. This month is Christmas in July and they will show the Grinch and Polar Express. The events are free, but concessions are available for purchase to help raise money for the association.
The Park Association is also working on a paint project to update the railing around the ballfield. The railing will be painted maroon and gold. Watch for sign-ups for volunteers. Lastly, the association will hold an adult kickball tournament in September. Concessions will be available for sale and winners will receive trophies. Watch for registration details to come.
The Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new board member, Kimberly Sticksel of InnoGravers. The Chamber is currently working on plans for this year’s Pioneer Day. Entertainment will feature Isaac Sloane & The Sound Brigade, the Tejas Bros, Capt. Perry and SLURP as well as car show, cornhole tournament, baking contest, bingo and more. Event forms are currently found on the Chamber Facebook page.
The Chamber is also collecting water and Gatorade for the fire department. Anyone who donates will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
Kelly Smith, Collinsville Community Library Board President, reported the library is completing their sixth summer reading program. The program maxed out at 50 children and included fun visits by a kangaroo and K-9 police dog. To conclude the program, the kids will enjoy an afternoon at the pool with a pizza party.
The gate count for the month was 410. Continuing events include Friday Story Time, Bingo and an upcoming End of Life Planning and Medicare program this fall.
Collinsville Economic Development Corporation (EDC) chairman Joseph Cartwright was happy to report that the board now has a full seven members. On July 20 at Apologetics, the organization will hold a meet and greet so local business owners can give input on what improvements need to be made.
“We really want to create the climate to make business thrive in Collinsville,” Cartwright said.
The EDC is also working on a comprehensive business plan and will meet with the council to further develop that plan. Additionally, they’re working on plans for a downtown building incentive program. Details to come.
Next, the council discussed amending the master fee schedule to adopt a cellular meter read fee. As the city moves to a cellular water meter reading system, it is incurring a fee of about $0.96 per meter. This fee is what Badger Meter, the hired meter service, is charging for the use of the meters. If continued, this would cost the city around $9,000 per year.
“This is a fee that probably never should have been the city’s responsibility,” Collinsville Finance Manager Karla Young said. “It’s really no different than our citizens’ garbage expense.”
The council discussed briefly whether this fee should be paid by the citizens, and ultimately decided unanimously that it should. Beginning July 15, Collinsville residents who have a cellular read meter should expect to see this fee included in their city water bill (to be sent out around July 26).
The council adjourned to Executive Session and returned to direct staff to bring back proposed amendments to the Temporary Use Permit. This permit allows a land use that would not otherwise comply with zoning requirements on a temporary basis.
