Gonzales extends emergency declaration

Councilmembers split on GEDC board member vote

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Gonzales city council unanimously approved an extension of their public health emergency declaration last week to match with Gov. Greg Abbott’s declaration. The ordinance approved extends the declaration to April 30, which was previously set to expire April 9.

Residents of Gonzales are asked to stay at home, leaving only for essential activities, essential governmental functions or to operate essential businesses and operations.

All public and private gatherings are to remain limited to 10 people unless exempted by the order. The emergency order does not prohibit the gathering of members of a household or residence.

When out in public, residents are asked to maintain at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals. 

Councilmembers split on GEDC board

On the agenda marked under Resolutions 4.4 was an action on appointing a board member to the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC). Mayor Connie Kacir advised the council to push the agenda item to a future agenda, claiming GEDC had “a strong board.”

However, Councilman Gary Schroeder declined, pushing to “move forward with an appointment.”

“The last time we moved the board appointments, me, myself, personally, as a council member, I was kind of tarred and feathered ridiculously for how that process went,” he explained.

Interim city secretary Kristi Gilbert was then asked whether all the applicants who wanted to serve were still willing to be approved to the board. While some weren’t able to be reached before the meeting, Gilbert did confirm that former Gonzales Tourism Director Clint Hille was still interested in serving.

WIth that, Schroeder made the motion to appoint Hille and Councilman Bobby O’Neal seconded.

“Have you confirmed that he would be willing to serve?” Kacir asked Schroeder.

“That is correct, madam mayor,” Schroeder responded.

The motion ultimately failed, with Schroeder and O’Neal voting in favor and councilmen Tommy Schurig and Dan Blakemore voting against. Mayor Kacir broke the tie by voting against.

In other news:

City council unanimously passed the following agenda items, resolutions and ordinances:

  • Consent agenda items including the approval of minutes for the March 12, March 16 and March 20 meetings, approval of any council absences for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019-20, declaring certain city property surplus, affirming the city of Gonzales does not discriminate in the provision of any program based on the race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, handicap status, veteran status or any other protected status and approved a resolution authorizing designated signators for contractual and financial documents for the TExas General Land OFfice COmmunity Development BLock Grant Disaster Recovery Program.
  • Awarded contract for roof replacement and repairs a Gonzales Memorial Museum. 
  • Authorized the GEDC to come up with the terms of agreement for the financial assistance package for businesses located within the city of Gonzales.
  • Extended all existing loan payments due to GEDC for 90 days and waiving late fees due to COVID-19.
  • Denied Texas Gas Service Company’s requested rate increase.
  • Authorized budget amendments.

Mayor Kacir also proclaimed April both Fair Housing Month and National Sexaul Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the city of Gonzales.

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