[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6103732,"mediaKeyId","2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986","parentId",2793597,"title","Council directs staff to draft ballot language for charter amendments; retains downtown limit on distilled spirits sales","audioSeconds",2127,"startMs",3873000,"endMs",6000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986&start=3873&end=6000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986/thumbnail_3873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103732/Palestine/Anderson-County/Texas/Council-directs-staff-to-draft-ballot-language-for-charter-amendments-retains-downtown-limit-on-distilled-spirits-sales","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103732-117ec562fc7de79514f081c65f5d84b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158607&Signature=cYf69LDi8U6xjlu1AQfpGYkiuoUC1etSYMglobC2nFDBSP3WMMT9gjyCtsWPAUtTrT4uL8J609QgyLkDFuW8ssP1L--7eTf7PmzcjCfLXrKBjPWeEDSU20BRmuiTtzPwfkf0fG1kDAtnfY2nmO7rQ7VYIryTwjiqIXTf5SYfBYbFJVnSGfyMgEya16aUaYWo0LheMdRdQ7rLjyWH85IdRSMbSx68FPuYlB-GCUX~TRj8alCsNv9qiE5LUcGvvhkOK3IRbj-h61h4rmtySm6wtWDHUi3Id3tC8pZlKznVT~kxEYYtoNw3lF41ocaEGI3LnUFZ3PLgvu2Mco~N1kY71w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palestine","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Palestine City Council spent an extended portion of the Jan. 23 meeting reviewing recommendations from the charter review committee and gave staff direction to prepare election ballot language for proposed amendments to Articles 7 through 11.

Discussion covered multiple topics: budget and purchasing language (Article 7), mayor and council compensation and residency requirements (Article 8), petition and recall thresholds and timing (Article 9), tax and franchise-fee timing (Article 10), and housekeeping changes and alcohol-sale geographic limits (Article 11). Several council members debated whether language should be removed from the charter and left to city policy, and whether compensation increases proposed by the committee should be included as a single proposition or separated. The committee’s recommended language suggested a set of changes; staff presented alternate phrasing for one high-profile item — the retail sale of distilled spirits for off-premise consumption — and asked council which version to include on the ballot.

On the distilled-spirits question (Article 11.9), the council voted to adopt the staff-recommended language that maintains the downtown-limited area (the specific streets listed in the charter) for off-premise distilled-spirits retail sales rather than opening the entire city. Council action was recorded as a motion to accept staff-recommended language; the motion carried. The council also voted unanimously to authorize staff to draft ballot language reflecting the items discussed and to return the formal election ordinance and ballot propositions for final approval at a future meeting.

Ending: Staff will prepare draft ballot language for the proposed charter amendments and return the language to council for final review and adoption ahead of the May election calendar.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Palestine City Council Regular Agenda - January 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After discussion of Articles 7–11, the council directed staff to prepare ballot language for multiple charter amendments and voted to keep the retail sale of distilled spirits limited to the downtown area in the proposed language the staff will present.","taxTitle","Palestine, Anderson County, Texas","taxId",69395,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103737,"Council to reissue RFP for old Memorial Hospital site after only one incomplete response",365,2801000,3166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986&start=2801&end=3166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6103737/Palestine/Anderson-County/Texas/Council-to-reissue-RFP-for-old-Memorial-Hospital-site-after-only-one-incomplete-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103737-7ea2d4f1f7ace46e1f3b9fac1bf1880c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158607&Signature=JMFWttwUo3PMiNDQ-sfzvwNb7-KXep9rAXCN5LMruHnWRETx7O7keAkzu00URYId~h9fU613Vi-aznemaeQwE0-7zwpSvJG6SxO-17nS3KyEWioJiLrTY6XM9e8Kzk8h-u~Dnj16~EKwVZN22kUpqyqatptBvjcFbOrnmoTjYMWKMQbCGiQvGJnP0DyL18iXnBDNmk08LT-iHM02FwROSoJiTvTTF3tXaFuuzQhFfvHThGzPz2xuQXZ11aJTP6z8nR6VYT4AiXFZLCb7y6NTpgeG2jRHRiaTRy1iNv1dWwna6Ciw-GBXzJsOZGpVi~YOVNkYbXnxZZtwLBKWNCUHIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Palestine City Council that the initial request for proposals (RFP) for the old Memorial Hospital lot produced one written response that did not meet the submission requirements. The council voted to reissue the RFP for an additional 60 days and asked staff to circulate the packet more widely and to provide council members with the RFP materials for review.

Staff said the RFP required respondents to provide total purchase price, contingencies, proof of financial ability (letter of credit or similar), a closing timeline and proposed development plans, and to acknowledge the deed restrictions that apply to the property. The single response provided only a sales price and a note that eight cottage-style homes would be developed; it omitted financing documentation and other required elements. Council members said the limited response shows market reluctance and discussed whether the city should modify some restrictions or consider incentives.

Council direction was: republish the RFP for 60 days; staff to email the full RFP packet to council members; and staff and economic-development staff to continue outreach to local and regional developers. Several council members suggested using the city's Build Palestine program or considering deed-restriction incentives or performance-based incentives if the market requires them. No final decision was made on changing restrictions; staff will return to council with any proposed RFP changes and a summary of new responses.

Ending: The RFP will be republished; staff will return to council with responses and any recommended changes to attract development consistent with council goals.

","City staff reported a single, incomplete response to the request for proposals for the old Memorial Hospital lot; council voted to republish the RFP for 60 days and instructed staff to provide the RFP packet and consider whether restrictions should be adjusted to attract responsive buyers/developers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103742,"Downtown property owner urges Main Street advisory board changes and more permissive historic sign rules",490,270000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986&start=270&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6103742/Palestine/Anderson-County/Texas/Downtown-property-owner-urges-Main-Street-advisory-board-changes-and-more-permissive-historic-sign-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103742-96878d14deff576a05f89557650d8652/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158607&Signature=njMYTJMbWaTorSXdlAHlM1m4FxI6xdEqx0xYxE5Yg7B6FddLh7AHO4AN~D2t0964X1yMR~zCiwYtN~BG3qtjjBb8L6eRz3k1xN95cfjj1OXCNjzmaVBuXjaljNd~0a5N3o8dPRFavzdOFHKVLmqfGZVH~73ZcXC7G6UllI-Fxh~zh6I3x-v1PORDTjoJ639g0z1apHMQTJdvDeq39~JjLI04laii0UsQQqNPj8q3nBwdi5P2o4XBuKz~pGykG0EzvXnuZyTYop6LhL8pFMQV29m-OEgCzYyJTaufvQEA06fpGl7RagmSwR-Av5gbWl~vos2jseisH5KPdH5t9YAA~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard Farris Jr., a downtown property owner who identified himself as owner of Farris Investors LLC, used the Jan. 23 public-comment period to press the City Council to require that all Main Street Advisory Board members own property in the Main Street district and to revise the downtown sign ordinance.

Farris said non-property-owner board members \"don't have anything at risk\" and therefore can make recommendations that affect owners without bearing the consequences. \"Anyone who doesn't own property in the district doesn't have anything at risk, yet they are influencing those of us who do,\" he said. He urged council members who appoint MSAB members to require property ownership as a qualification and offered to help recruit property-owning applicants if the council pursues that change.

Farris also described a recent denial by the Main Street Advisory Board of his plan to refurbish an original pole sign at 112 East Oak Street (the Rock Building, built 1962). He said he altered the design to try to meet the MSAB's concerns but received a vague denial that cited \"clutter\" and gave no clear guidance on how to revise the sign. \"I did not understand this ... there was no reason for not approving it, just that their opinion was that it was clutter,\" Farris said. He presented photos showing the distance between downtown signs and said the current interpretation of the ordinance is inconsistent.

Farris suggested the ordinance's historic cutoff should be drawn around the 1960s and said the city's rules prevent him from returning a building to an appearance that matches mid-century photos. He urged the council to review the Main Street sign language and MSAB appointment process so sign approvals are consistent and transparent.

Ending: The council did not vote on any changes during the Jan. 23 meeting; Farris asked to be contacted by staff for follow-up.

","Property owner Richard Farris Jr. told the council that Main Street Advisory Board members should be property owners and complained the board rejected a sign application for his 112 East Oak Street building; he urged the council to change membership rules and relax sign restrictions to allow historically accurate signage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103747,"Council approves sewer bid, grants downtown event-use permit; rezoning approved for properties south of railroad",892,1898000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986&start=1898&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793597-f0b6bf661ae3531ad40ec235a263d986/thumbnail_1898000.jpg","/articles/6103747/Palestine/Anderson-County/Texas/Council-approves-sewer-bid-grants-downtown-event-use-permit-rezoning-approved-for-properties-south-of-railroad","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103747-84375646f8537cdf48f6ad7bcdf824f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158607&Signature=MUVa5LAiCscKe2lB1CXXUktU21CilDQcHEtY354G2qYcBE-zN8qm159ELz6EIQ2d0SsHHIbJfz-srushE6LK7kD79r3EyDxUnuoNi9LTSUCkrDVIMeOjUIkUFLEQs4Xs9nH~jl6a2KJc6480nBkGb-T0J04Mv6e86isBnr4SBzyQdjOlO~TXorOZuil~a~TyS9wOGQAsHEeLUye1POwZspetIbltYcGLAema7VeVyOs3oqIb1UDsr6d9M-Sw1k0amsOsrQ8RdahHzodw2ToGGnK41Ew7btJ71aQmGPSG01CM8S50vY-2Pxa9NxPi-I5DNCwdEVi1FG7hF3TvpFv8UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palestine City Council on Jan. 23 approved several routine and land-use actions, including awarding a construction contract for a sewer-line replacement, granting a downtown event-center specific-use permit and approving partial rezoning of properties adjacent to the railroad.

The council voted to award the Lacey Street sewer-line replacement contract to Construction LLC for $371,967, selecting the lowest of five bids received. Councilman Sean made the motion and Councilman Gibbs seconded; the item passed on a voice vote. City staff said the work covers a section of East Lacey near the courthouse and that the city will restore service and perform required recirculations after the line is replaced.

The council approved a specific-use permit to allow a hall/reception/banquet use at 112 West Oak Street in the downtown Main Street overlay. Susan Diggs, planning staff, told the council the city received three notices in favor of the permit and three in opposition. Applicant Taylor Thompson spoke during public hearing and answered council questions; the council then approved the permit (motion by Councilman Gibbs; second by Mayor Jordan).

On a separate land-use request, the council considered a rezoning petition for lots on Kentucky and Ohio streets adjacent to the railroad tracks. A prior motion to approve the full rezoning failed; later the council adopted a narrower motion to rezone the parcels on the south side of the railroad to Mixed Residential while leaving the parcel(s) north of the tracks zoned industrial. The motion to rezone the south-side properties was made by Councilman Connor and seconded by Mayor Jordan; the motion carried.

On development-facing property, the council decided to reissue the request for proposals for the old Memorial Hospital lot after staff reported only one incomplete response to the RFP. Council moved to republish the RFP for an additional 60 days so potential developers have another chance to respond; the motion was seconded and passed.

Votes on the record were taken by voice; the transcript records “aye”/“motion carries” for passed items but does not include a roll-call tally for individual yes/no votes. The council also directed staff to prepare follow-up materials (see discussion/decision below).

Ending: The council completed these items before continuing other agenda business, and staff will return any required contracts, reissued RFP materials or ordinance amendments to a future meeting for final paperwork or action.

","At its Jan. 23 regular meeting, the Palestine City Council awarded a sewer-line construction contract, approved a specific-use permit for an event center at 112 West Oak Street, approved rezoning for properties south of the railroad from industrial to mixed residential and voted to reissue an RFP for the old Memorial Hospital lot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to draft ballot language for charter amendments; retains downtown limit on distilled spirits sales

Council to reissue RFP for old Memorial Hospital site after only one incomplete response

Downtown property owner urges Main Street advisory board changes and more permissive historic sign rules

Council approves sewer bid, grants downtown event-use permit; rezoning approved for properties south of railroad