La Feria News

La Feria City Commission Sells Forclosed Property to Nonprofit, Updates on Current Projects

city_of_la_feria_logo-300x300The La Feria City Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 23rd at 6:30 pm.

After the approval of the minutes, the Commission considered a private offer received on a property originally struck off to Cameron County on a tax resale conducted November 2, 2010. The property, located on Lots 93 and 94, Block 3, Dunn Acres at 212 W. 6th St., was originally foreclosed due to delinquent property taxes. The private offer was made by South Texas Collaborative For Housing Development, a local nonprofit that plans to use the property to build affordable housing. The Commission unanimously voted to award the property to STCHD.

Afterward, the Commission accepted the Certified Appraisal Roll submitted by Cameron Appraisal District, took action to appoint the City of La Feria Tax Assessor/Collector to calculate and publish the Effective and Rollback Tax Rate for tax year 2013, accepted Certification regarding Anticipated Tax Collection Rate for Tax Year 2013 (FY 2013/2014) and took action to approve a proposed schedule for budget development and approval for the city and its subsidiaries.

The next agenda item, a motion to approve or deny a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the La Feria Independent School District regarding the joint operation of the La Feria Indoor Recreation Center was tabled after some discussion. The program, a joint effort between the city and the school district, has been stalled due to changes within the ISD, most recently the appointment of a new Superintendant. Details about the specificities of the program and the roles of the city and the school district still needed clarification before a Memorandum of Understanding could be finalized.

The next agenda item, a resolution authorizing the submission of a response to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration that amends the commitment of local match funds for the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program funding for the construction of a Technology and Success Center. The EDA has offered to award $1 million to the city for development of the Center with the proviso that the city match the funds and meet certain criteria.

Mayor Steve Brewer noted that the positive communication between the city and the EDA bodes well for the project. The commission voted unanimously to continue the dialogue with the EDA.

The monthly financial report for the month of June was then presented to the Commission before they went into executive (closed) session.

After closed session deliberations, the Commission returned to order to hear staff updates on various projects currently underway. These projects included the ongoing Drainage Project, the Water and Wastewater Systems Improvements Project, the library expansion, the fire station expansion and substation project, the status of the Dome Construction project, Generator Purchase project, Sidewalk Improvement project and the light system improvement project for A.J. Wilson Field. City Manager Sunny K. Philip reported that all projects were running on schedule.

The next regular public meeting of the La Feria City Commission will be held August 13, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Commission Meeting Room, 115 E Commercial Ave. in La Feria. Meetings are open to the public.

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