La Feria City Commission Holds Final Public Hearings for Proposed Annexation Areas

The La Feria City Commission held its regular meeting Tuesday night, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room in La Feria. The second and last public hearings for parts of two areas proposed for annexation were held, however community attendance was down from previous public hearings on annexation.

After tabling approval of minutes for the August 13th and 27th meetings and approving the minutes of the last regular meeting of the La Feria Industrial Development Corporation (LFIDC) on August 1st, the Commission heard a small update from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) representative on the finalization of the Sidewalk Improvement Project which should be completed at the end of this week.

After the report, the Commission opened the second and final public hearings for the proposed annexation of the land on both sides of Falt Lane, west of Rabb Road, and the area from existing city limits near Expressway 83, south along Mile 3 East, Kubiski, and Bixby Roads and the west side of FM 2556, to U.S. Business 83.

No representatives from the community were present to discuss the Falt Lane/Rabb Road area, so the public hearing for that area was closed within a few minutes with no discussion. Only about half a dozen residents from the Kubiski/Bixby Rd area were present, but those in attendance took time to reiterate their disapproval of the annexation plan and their concerns over land usage, increased taxes and disadvantages of being part of the city.

City Manager Sunny K. Philip reminded residents that annexation did not mean that they would necessarily have to change anything they are already doing with their land. Land owners that are using their property for agricultural use would still be able to continue using the land in the same fashion provided they sign a Development Agreement with the City of La Feria. The agreement would allow residents to continue to use their land in the manner they have already been using it with no changes to animal rights or irrigation rights. Additionally, residents that sign the development agreement would be exempt from city taxes for 15 years. Residents of the proposed annexation areas would not be required to hook up to the city’s waste and water services.

With first and second public hearings concluded for all proposed annexation areas, it is now up to the City Commission to vote whether or not to annex. Those votes will be held in two parts at special City Commission meetings to be held on September 17th and October 1st.

The Commission then reviewed proposals for employee group health insurance for city employees and staff, awarding the contract to Valley Baptist Health Plans as they were the lowest qualified bidder.

Next, the Commission voted to award a contract for management services for the implementation of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs HOME Program – Housing Rehabilitation Assistance project, the Homebuyer Assistance Project and Persons with Disabilities under Tenant Base Rental Assistance, and Disaster Relief Set-Aside under Housing Rehabilitation Assistance. The contract was awarded to Langford Community Services of Austin, TX.

Budget Amendments for FY 2012-2013, the Capital Projects Budget for FY 2013-2014 and the General Fund Budget for FY 2013-2014 were all reviewed and approved by the Commission as well as a confirmation of the budgets for La Feria Utilities Board, La Feria Industrial Development Corporation, La Feria Economic Development Corporation, La Feria Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board and the Bailey H. Dunlap Memorial Public Library for FY 2013-2014.

Following that, two agenda items, both concerning ordinances for the city, were skipped with the city staff proposing no action be taken at present. Presumably these two items will be readdressed at a future meeting.

The Commission then took action to approve a contract between the City and Cameron County Emergency Services District No. 1 for firefighting services to unincorporated areas of Cameron County. The purchase of approximately 11.69 acres of property described as Minnesota Texas Irrigation Land Co. Subdivision, Block 37, 5.09 acres, 5.60 acres and the East 1.9 acre also known as 1 Mile South highway FM 506 from the La Feria Industrial Development Corporation was also approved by the board.

Before heading into Executive (closed) session, the Commission then approved the 1st reading of an Economic Development Incentive approved by the La Feria Economic Development Corporation. The Incentive approved will help facilitate the arrival of a Little Caesar’s restaurant to the city of La Feria.

Following the closed session, the Commission heard brief progress reports from city staff concerning several projects already underway. The Drainage Project will have a progress meeting in two weeks. The Library Expansion Project is almost complete and an Open House is set for October 26th. Contracts have been sent to the state for approval concerning the Fire Station Expansion and Substation Project. The Dome Construction project is currently still on schedule with adjustments made to make sure both facilities will be usable not only as hurricane shelters, but also to serve in the event of a tornado. Funded through FEMA, the Dome project will begin advertising for construction contractors once the new updates to the building plans have been approved. Gas lines are in place for the Generator Purchase Project and the Light System Improvement Project for A.J. Wilson Field has been completed. The city is still awaiting the contract from Texas Parks and Wildlife for the grant award for Trail System Development.The EDA Grant for a Technology and Success Center and the Ungar Park Project are also moving along as planned.

The next regular meeting for the La Feria City Commission will be held on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.