Burger King signage gets second look
The Navasota City Council met in a regular session Monday, June 10, with Burger King signage and the budget as primary topics.
After lengthy discussion, no action was taken on the variance request for signage for the Burger King/Car Wash slated for E. Washington Avenue at N. Post Oak. Developer Jim Kolkhorst, City Manager Brad Stafford and Community Development Director Lupe Diosdado will revisit sign options for the project currently in the final design phase.
According to Diosdado, the city’s sign ordinance allows a freeway pole sign within 400 feet of SH 6 right of way. Kolkhorst requested to place the sign at 476 feet to be “similarly situated” with his fast food competitors and to attract customers on SH
6. This places the sign within feet of the Historic Overlay District where they are limited to four feet in height. Signage was not requested for the car wash.
While council members expressed their pleasure with Burger King opening in Navasota, their concerns were about the sign’s proposed location, the LED sign’s changeable copy board, and the type and height of the sign.
Councilman Geoff Horn questioned whether the ordinance allowed LED signage in the Historic Overlay District, but Diosdado responded that it is prohibited only in the Central Business District.
Suggestions included Logo and Directional Signs on SH 6, a raised monument sign to increase visibility from SH 6 or combining Burger King signage with Subway, also owned by Kolkhorst.
Kolkhorst said, “I’m willing to entertain some thoughts and suggestions.”
Mayor Bert Miller said, “You see we want (to maintain) the integrity of that neighborhood, but you also have to be able to make it worth doing business there, and I totally get it.”
Budget talks underway
Stafford presented city council a preliminary budget for YE 2020 at Monday’s budget workshop. Stafford advised that with a $904,000 deficit, at present it “includes not only the needs but the wants.”
Proposed is a water, sewer and gas rate increase of 4.99 - 5 percent based on the Consumer Price Index and Municipal Cost Index. Stafford advised that increases in the CPI and MCI affect the city’s cost for fuel and meters and said, “That is why our budget looks like it does.”
A 5 percent increase for residential customers would result in a $2.45 - $3.54 increase in their monthly bill.
There were several “big” requests and one included completion of the streetscape on Washington Avenue with city funds, possibly moved from fund balance. At present, the bulk of sidewalk work is funded by grants as available. The second request was to move ahead with utility, drainage and street work in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Also proposed are salary increases to bring staff up to market scale as well as hiring some additional staff. Stafford advised that positions eliminated in the 2016 reduction in force have not been replaced and the city has used interns to assist with projects.
Stafford said, “We’re doing our best to use creative ways to get the job done.”
The preliminary budget included replacing a fire engine, five police cars as well as trucks and some heavy equipment which is 25 years old.
According to Stafford, sales tax has been down despite Navasota’s small businesses “seeing a boost in their sales” because some of the larger businesses are not.
The solution he said is, “If everyone would remember that shopping local helps provide services here. If you buy it in another city, it helps provide it there.”
Foster Street inspection
contract approved
Council approved a request for a professional services agreement with CEC Engineering for the Foster Street Drainage Project in an amount not to exceed $14,000. Streets and Sanitation Director Jose Coronilla advised that the project budget did not include construction inspection and that an “extra set of professional eyes” was needed on the project. The project’s design and construction are funded by 2015 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds from the Texas General Land Office.
Other council action:
*Received a one-year update from Dr. Stu Musick about the Gear Up Program, a seven-year grant program to increase post-secondary readiness and a status report on Phases I, II and III of the bond construction and remodeling at NISD campuses.
*Mayor Bert Miller presented a proclamation to Dr. Stu Musick and Dr. Ronnie Gonzalez recognizing the “Healthy Summer Meals for Kids.”
*Reviewed the quarterly report from the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
*Councilman Bernie Gessner advised that the Airport Advisory Board met and reported increased activity, new membership in the Spinner Flying Club and discussed drainage issues.
*Councilman Geoff Horn advised the Parks and Recreation Board held a meeting but was unable to conduct business due to lack of a quorum.
*Approved renewal of the contract with the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley for administration of HOT funds.
*Approved consent agenda items that included the minutes and expenditures for May and the second reading of Ordinance 888-19 related to rezoning of Agriculture Open space districts.
*Approved Resolution 654-19 requesting Governor Gregg Abbott veto HB 2439.
Staff reports:
*S’dney Goodman, Parks and Recreation pool manager reported the Navasota pool will be open beginning June 12, Wednesday-Sunday.
*NPD Chief Shawn Myatt reported that the 700 MHz radios are fully operational.
*Head Librarian Gloria May reported on April and May usage, volunteer activity, attendance at library events and upcoming activities.
*Marketing Coordinator Emily Gainey reported 150-plus in attendance at the June 7 Sounds of Summer Concert Series.
Upcoming events:
*Friday, June 14 – Sounds of Summer Concert Series featuring Randy Pavlock, 6;30 p.m. at City Hall.
*Saturday, June 15 – 125th Anniversary of the Grimes County courthouse, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Anderson.
*Friday-Saturday, June 21-22 – Reunion Weekend hosted by the George Washington Carver Alumni Association.
*Saturday, June 22 – Dedication of Texas Historical Commission marker for the George Washington Carver High School, 1 p.m. at the Carver gymnasium.