I-69 Corridor is main of topic city council meeting

During the November 13, 2007, Diboll City Council meeting, members discussed TxDOT's newly proposed plan for the Texas I-69 Corridor.

Interstate 69 (I-69) will in the future, connect Mexico with Canada, crossing Texas border to border. The I-69 Corridor, upon first study drafts, showed the corridor connecting with larger urban cities like Houston or possibly even Dallas. Ted Houghton, of the Texas Transportation Commission reported last week that the planning committee had been involved in viewing other possible safer and faster routes that could also provide a more reliable evacuation route as well. The newly proposed areas mapped by TxDOT, for the I-69 Corridor, show the use of the existing U.S. Hwy 59 traveling through Angelina County, into Nacogdoches County. The other route shows an alternate highway going north and south adjacent to U.S. Hwy 59, south of Diboll traveling into Eastern Nacogdoches County. Officials, in the near future, will began holding public hearings to obtain public and agency comments. For more information regarding the I-69 Texas Corridor, visit the TxDOT web site at: www.keeptexasmoving.com or call 1-866-554-6989.

Council members also discussed and approved an amendment lowering the red light violation fine from $100.00 to $75.00 and added a charge of $25.00 for late fees.

Also approved was a motion seeking grant funds totaling $19,600 from DETCOG, for solid waste enforcement or disposal. Funds are expected to assist with the purchase of items such as city dumpsite disposal units, laptops and the installation of camera's in order to deter illegal dumping. The board passed the motion to tax certain goods-in-transit personal property that would otherwise be exempted from taxation by the property tax code.

Ronny Coleman was approved for appointment to the Appraisal District Board of Directors and Lewis Ivey to the Review Board.

Other items included:

€ A resolution approving Diboll city Mayor, City Manager, Finance Director and City Secretary signatures on all city bank accounts.

€ Motion passed to establish a cafeteria plan which includes the city's HAS contributions.

€ Motion tabled to amend city ordinance establishing guideline for holding eligibility for Mayor or City Council.

€ Motion passed, authorizing the advertisement for bids on a SCADA System.

€ Motion passed to accept sealed bids on the sale of a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. Council passed the motion accepting the wet-dry election approval votes.

Members also discussed the application request, which applied for a $400,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The funds requested will be for park upgrades and repair. T.L.L. Temple foundation has offered to match amounts given by Texas Parks and Wildlife for park upgrades and repair. The City of Diboll will review the possibilities of implementing minor curfews due to an increasing amount of juvenile offenders. The next Diboll City Council meeting will be on Monday, December 10, 2007 at 5:15 p.m.