On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Whitesboro residents Cathy Foster and Charlotte Foster addressed the City Council seeking a solution to a problem they say was caused by the city. The family addressed the council at the last public meeting and is determined to address the council at every opportunity if need be.
The Foster family has lived in Whitesboro for many years. Because of a fire, they have been displaced from their home. They have a piece of property on McFall Street in Whitesboro waiting for them. Cathy Foster said they had the right to replace their home due to a fire or natural disaster, but the city took that right from them.
According to the Texas Occupations Code 1201.008 section (f), an owner can replace their mobile home as a result of a fire or natural disaster. That right cannot be restricted. The code specifies that other than in the case of a fire or natural disaster, a general-rule or home-rule municipality by an ordinance or charter may limit the ability of the owner to replace his
home to a single replacement.
Foster said the city’s code inspector misspoke when stating the city would be able to fund a new home build for the family. Now, they are in a place where the city cannot pay for a new home to be built and the family does not have the ability to purchase another home to be placed on the property.
“Your code inspector misspoke, and you will have to make this right,” Foster said.
Charlotte Foster said she hopes that the Council does what they said they would do. She said that piece of property is her home and remembers her kids running around on their property and just wants to be able to return home.
“We didn’t ask for this. I sure wish that God would put it on your hearts to build us that home that you promised,” Charlotte Foster said.
“I hope y’all make this right because we’re not going to stop until you do,” Cathy Foster said.
Another citizen, Tom Leach, wanted to speak on all the wonderful organizations in Whitesboro and all the events that have happened.
Leach mentioned the Quilting Group here in Whitesboro and the First Baptist Church men’s group. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has made beds for children and families for a long time, Keep Whitesboro Beautiful (KWB) continues to make downtown look nice for community festivities, Family Promise has helped families get out of homelessness.
Leach recognized Your Neighbor’s House (YNH) resale and food pantry and all they provide. He also highlighted the Trunks and Tailgates with Treats event held downtown, the Peanut
Festival, the ongoing activities at the Whitesboro Public Library, the Ministerial Alliance with the First Baptist Church of Whitesboro and all of the great programs held at the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD).
He said all of these organizations are all positives for the city.
“I just want to spend a little bit of time thinking about some good things before Thanksgiving and I know we have some bad things, and there are some things that have to be worked through. I think we can all concentrate on some other things. Even though we do have a lot of apathy and understanding. That’s why we are all here. That’s why everybody comes to these meetings because we do want that good direction,” Leach said.
Also at this meeting, Police Chief Alex Coss introduced the Whitesboro Police Department’s (WPD) newest hired officer, Kantrelle Lyles. With more than two years of experience, Lyles was the WPD’s top candidate during their most recent applicant search. Sworn in on Nov. 6, Lyles has been employed with the WPD for about three weeks.
“He is doing an outstanding job. I just wanted to take a moment to introduce him and for you guys to take a moment to welcome him,” Coss said. The entire room welcomed Officer Lyles with applause.
Mayor Dave Blaylock announced the upcoming Christmas event happening in Whitesboro’s historic downtown. On Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Keep Whitesboro Beautiful will host this year’s Christmas event “Let it Snow.” This annual event, sponsored by the City of Whitesboro, Keep Whitesboro Beautiful and local Whitesboro patrons, offers a great lineup of activities.
Beginning at 5 p.m. there will be Christmas music, at 5:30 p.m. horse drawn carriage rides, 6 p.m. a Christmas tree lighting on Main Street followed by the Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. a live nativity will take place at Center Street and Main Street. At 7:15 p.m. will be the last call for giveaway tickets for gifts, and at 7:30 p.m. the free gift drawing will be held at Cook’s Main Stage.
On behalf of the Whitesboro Ministerial Alliance, a pastor invited all to the community Thanksgiving service to be held at the Methodist Church on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. Although the event has now passed, the Ministerial Alliance also invites the community to be a part of the Christmas food basket program.
The Ministerial Alliance partners with the Whitesboro Fire Department (WFD), the Whitesboro Independent School District (WISD), local churches and local residents to provide food
baskets for area families this Christmas. They are able to provide for more than 100 families in Whitesboro every Christmas season.
Applications are open to Whitesboro and Gordonville residents. The deadline to apply for the Christmas food basket was November 19. For further information about the program you can contact the Whitesboro Ministerial Alliance at 903-564-3546 or visit the office on 124 Center Street.
After much discussion, a Drought Contingency Plan was approved. Mayor Pro Tem Carla Woolsey motioned and Alderman John Moore seconded. The motion carried.
Next, the City Council discussed, took a vote and approved the increase of members for the Whitesboro Library Board. After running with only five members for the past seven years, the board has added two new members. The council appointed Vernetta Horn and Arlene Hart as new members of the board.
Then, the City Council approved the pay request #2 for Texoma Drive Improvements payable to Mustang Excavation in the amount of $124,606.27.
After much discussion, the City Council approved the change order #1 and payment to Birkhoff, Hendricks and Carter in the amount of $75,462.80. Bradley Williams, D&C
Superintendent, said the changes are to connect water from Texoma Drive to Red River Drive by placing a flume (human-made channel for water).
Williams said the connection will run from 306 and 308 Texoma Drive to Red River Drive. They will put a six-inch water line. Woolsey made the motion and Alderman Mike Pack seconded. The motion carried.
Next, the City Council discussed and adopted Resolution 8712, setting a date and time for regular council meetings. The Council decided on making the regular council meetings once a month on the second Tuesday of every month. The Council took into consideration what they have heard from citizens about the 4 p.m. meetings being too early for most to attend.
Regarding ongoing city projects, Interim City Administrator Phil Harris said the Water Tower public advertisements are scheduled to come out on Nov. 29, and there is a tentative date to break ground in February.
He said they have increased the storage of the water tower from half a million gallons to three-quarters of a million gallons to a million gallons. The more they have talked about it, it
makes sense to make the water line 16-inches long.
Next, Harris said the Texoma Drive Project is ongoing and moving forward. He discussed the positivity of the project.
Harris had a discussion only with the Council about Whitesboro’s logo. The City’s logo is about five years old and Harris would like to go into further discussion with the Council about making the logo permanent and whether the logo will stay the same or be changed.
Regarding the 4th Street Project, Harris said he has met with the engineer for the project to be able to understand what the city is getting into and making sure they are going in the
right direction to get the project done right.
Finally, after much discussion and thorough explanation about each item, the City Council approved the expenditures exceeding the Interim City Administrator’s authority in the amount of $49,816.56.
The expenditures were as follows: $16,854.75 to Hastings Stained Concrete for parking lots (for City Hall, Library and Post Office), $13,900.00 to A V Water Tech for water meters, $4,736.25 to Hayter Engineering for WWTP Sludge Thickener and $14, 352.56 to Metro Fire for repair to Engine 237 for the WFD.
Finally, after being in executive session for about 20 minutes for a consultation with the City Attorney regarding the City Administrator Separation Agreement the council had presented to Julie Arrington, no action was taken.
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