VFW asks La Marque council to fund annual veterans breakfast; building standards chair warns of costly demo needs

Two members of the public addressed the council during the citizens’ comment portion of Monday’s budget workshop: a veterans group representative seeking modest support for an annual veterans breakfast and the Building Standards Commission chairman asking for demolition funding.

James Ross of 414 Avenue D spoke on behalf of VFW Post 8248 and asked the city to consider a small line item or donation for a veterans breakfast the post has run for two years. Ross said the event’s city expense has been minimal—often about $300—and asked that the city either budget the amount or direct a donation so the post can continue the annual breakfast.

David Pennington, chairman of the Building Standards Commission, told the council the commission has approved demolition orders for several structures and said at least one property on Main Street is involved in litigation. Pennington said the commission’s estimate to demo one complex was about $65,000 three years ago and cautioned that workplaces and budgets will be strained if hazardous conditions require hazmat remediation. “If we have to get a hazmat team in there, that’s gonna cost considerably more than a normal demo,” he said, adding the board tries to avoid demolition where possible and prefers compliance efforts.

Nut graf: Public commenters pressed council to consider modest event support for veterans and to be ready for higher demolition and remediation costs on legacy properties; both requests were directed toward the upcoming fiscal-year budget discussions.

Ending: The comments became part of the council’s budget conversation; members asked staff to follow up on demolition cost estimates and to place the veterans request on the appropriate budget agenda item.