Council hears P&Z update

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In news other than Float Fest, the Gonzales city council took up a few items of interest to the city.

Council first heard from the city attorney on changes to the planning and zoning ordinances. Such changes would first require a ordinance review committee.

It had been recommended by the city attorney and city staff to begin the process of amending the zoning ordinance. Between 2012-14, the city commissioned and paid the office of Freese and Nichols between $75,000-85,000 for an update to both the subdivision regulations and the comprehensive zoning ordinance. The subdivision ordinance has been completed but the zoning process was not.

In order to utilize the ordinance that the firm provided, several updates must be completed to the draft to bring it to current standards. Some sections would be replaced with updates that council has already approved.

Council would be tasked with appointing a committee. Once complete, the drafts would be shown before a series of town hall meetings to discuss changes and what that would mean. Once those meetings are complete, the ordinance would go through the approval process with the planning and zoning commission and city council.

The city attorney informed council that they were “in dire need of updating” their zoning regulations. Councilman Dan Blakemore made sure to clarify that the city was not adding additional ordinances, rather this was just a clean-up process.

“We're not adding some regulations and over-regulating our citizenry,” Blakemore said.

Council heard a list of recommendations for the board and voted to accept the nominations.

Down the agenda, Fire Chief Keith Schmidt reported on a finalized memorandum of understanding executed by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Fire Academy for providing training and practical workforce solutions for programs in the firefighting and rescue career path. The commission would be held by Texas A&M University and Gonzales Independent School District locally.

Schmidt explained the process that was agreed to by GISD Superintendent Dr. Kim Strozier that would bring the fire academy to the high school campus. Entering freshmen would be offered an introductory fire class that would continue through their four years of high school instruction. Upon graduation, the student would attend a 21-day course at Texas A&M where they would receive final testing and certification.

Schmidt was happy with the proposal and expressed his desire to see more homegrown firefighters in Gonzales.

City Manager Tim Patek gave a report on several items. He mentioned that he was preparing for the sale of property and a billboard near the Victoria College campus as previously authorized by council. He was also working on receiving bids for repair of the college's roof.

A report on the junk vehicle and tall grass ordinance was revealed, showing 61 verbal citations for the offenses and corrections on most with just two heading to court. Patek also discussed adding additional mowings to TxDOT right-of-ways at a cost of $4,433. He also said that progress is being made on the city's hydroelectric plant with demolition on the building complete and turbine rebuilding beginning next week.

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