City Council approves sale of alcoholic beverages at new business opening
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at City Council Chambers within City Hall located on 100 S Monroe Street, addressing several important business matters.
City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an Ordinance amending Section 5-32, Article III, Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, to include Lot 1 and Lot 2 (total of 2.066 acres), Holiday Inn Express of Eagle Pass Subdivision (2006 N. Veterans Boulevard), within the areas in which the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises is permitted.
Holiday Inn Express, Inc. is opening a new Lounge at 2006 N. Veterans Boulevard called “The White Horse Lounge” which plans to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. The requirements to designate a property as a “wet zone” are: 1) the posting of a sign of said proposal for 30 days; 2) the publication of said proposal at a local newspaper; 3) submit a petition and pay required fee; and 4) submit signatures of abutting property owners certifying that they are aware of the proposed use and do not know of any reason why such proposed establishment should not be conducted at such address. Also, the property is not located within 300 feet of a church, hospital, school or library. The White Horse Lounge has met all of these requirements except obtaining some signatures of abutting property owners. Their representative is awaiting response from pending property owners, and will present them as soon as they are received.
The ordinance will go before the City Council for a third reading and approval before becoming effective. The public is invited to attend the next City Council and express their feelings or concerns regarding this item before its final approval.
Another agenda item unanimously approved was a resolution approving cooperation with the cities served by AEP TCC to review AEP Texas central company’s requested approval of an adjustment to its energy efficiency cost recovery factor; hiring legal and consulting services to negotiate with the company and direct any necessary litigation and appeals; and finding that the meeting at which this resolution was passed is open to the public as required by law.
On or about May 30, 2014, AEP Texas Central Company (“TCC” or “Company”), pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (“PURA”) § 39.905 and Public Utility Commission of Texas (“Commission” or “PUC”) Substantive Rule 25.181(f), filed with the Commission an application for a 2015 Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (“EECRF”), PUC Docket No. 42508;
The City of Eagle Pass will cooperate with similarly situated cities and other city participants located within the TCC service area in conducting a review of the Company’s application and to hire and direct legal counsel and consultants and to prepare a common response and to negotiate with the Company and direct any necessary litigation and work with the Cities Served by AEP TCC (“Steering Committee”) to review the rates charged by TCC, allowing members to accomplish more collectively than each city could do acting alone. The Steering Committee has a history of participation in PUC dockets and projects, as well as court proceedings, affecting transmission and distribution utility rates in TCC’s service area to protect the interests of municipalities and electric customers residing within municipal boundaries.
Another agenda item unanimously approved was a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Promissory Notes and all related agreements for the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program funded through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Contract 712420.
The City of Eagle Pass received funds through the Texas Department of Agriculture for a Housing Rehabilitation Program intended to address code deficiencies and ADA accessibility for four homeowners in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per home. In order to adhere to federal and state requirements, the City is required to execute Promissory Notes with the homeowners and place mortgage liens to ensure the homeowners adhere to the requirements of the program. This resolution will allow the City Manager to execute all necessary documents as required by the grant.
Also read into the city charter was a resolution authorizing the City Manager to award the professional services associated with the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program funded through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Contract 712420.
The Eagle Pass City Council has received Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) award for Housing Rehabilitation; and it is necessary to approve the awarding of professional services for the Housing Rehabilitation Program; and due to time constraints, it is necessary to authorize persons to award the professional services for this project, read the resolution.
The City Manager was authorized to award and negotiate contractual documents necessary for the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Also discussed and approved was the authorization for City Manager Gloria Barrientos to enter into a Temporary Construction License Agreement and execute all necessary documents with the Texas Department of Transportation for the installation of a storm drain pipe crossing on FM 1021 (El Indio Hwy.) and using the City’s right-of-way on King David Street.
