Editor’s note: The Animal Services Task Force report discussion of May 6 will be published in a separate article.
The San Angelo City Council, with a 6 to 1 vote barred nonprofits from receiving North Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone incentives to reaffirm the program’s focus on infrastructure and taxable development, during its regular meeting on May 6.
Deputy City Attorney Brandon Dyson reported that no legal prohibition existed against allowing nonprofits to receive TIRZ incentives, but council members expressed concern about maintaining the original intent of the program and their desire to create fairness for both areas of the city.
Mayor Brenda Gunter explained to the council that the TIRZ program was created by the state primarily for infrastructure projects. District 1 Councilmember Tommy Hiebert supported a return to the program’s original focus, stating, “If we will take care of our responsibilities with the infrastructure—the streets, the sidewalks, that which is under the ground—I think it may encourage those individual businesses to go ahead and work on their business and make those improvements anyway.”
Mayor Elect and District 2 Councilmember Tom Thompson added, “I’m still on the point that nonprofits need to stay out of this program mainly for the protection to keep, from what I say, super-sized businesses coming in to hit that—I don’t think that the sustainability of a nonprofit should be dependent on TIRZ funding.”
Amendment with Bentwood Country Club Estates
The council unanimously approved a contract amendment allowing Bentwood Country Club Estates to continue pumping water from Lake Nasworthy. Public Works Director Shane Kelton explained the amendment was necessary due to construction issues affecting one of the club’s private lines during the Lake Nasworthy pipeline project.
“We have an agreement with Bentwood Country Club for them to utilize water with their water rights out of the Concho River, out of Lake Nasworthy,” Kelton said.
Airport Food Truck Fees
A resolution amending the Schedule of Fees and Charges to add a $300 annual permit fee for food trucks at the San Angelo Regional Airport passed 7-0. Airport Director Justin Fletcher explained the need, stating, “We are short food opportunities at the airport.” He added that food trucks could provide “quick lunch ideas” and operate around air carrier schedules.
Concho River Wayfinding Signage
The council awarded a $209,045.53 contract to Blink Marketing, Inc. (DBA Blink Signs) for the installation of Concho River wayfinding signage. The project will be funded through the hotel occupancy tax (HOT) fund balance. Six bids were received for the project, which is expected to total approximately $240,000. The motion passed unanimously.
Concho River Legacy Trail Project
The council discussed and approved, in a 6-1 vote, the endorsement of private fundraising efforts for the “Concho River Legacy Trail” project. The trail will include over 100 larger-than-life bronze sculptures depicting the history of the Concho Valley from the 1800s to 1900s.
Tim Newton, the project’s director and curator, described the sculptures as “one of the great artistic historic narratives in all of North America.” Newton is a new San Angelo resident with an extensive art portfolio.
Each of the 15 vignettes will include five to fifteen sculptures, ranging in size from life-size to 1.25 times life-size. Sculptures will include representations of covered wagons, Native Americans, cowboys, and buffalo herds.
The estimated $30 million project will be privately funded through the San Angelo Area Foundation and presented as a gift to the city. The trail is planned to begin across from the YMCA at West Avenue A and end at Santa Fe Park near West Beauregard Avenue.
The council also authorized city staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to re-envision the landscape plans for the Concho River parks and Santa Fe Park to incorporate the sculpture installations.
City Website Launch
Communications Director Brian Groves announced that the City of San Angelo will launch a newly updated website next Tuesday. Funding for the new website was approved by the council last fall. The update is part of an effort to bring the city into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
