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Texarkana City Council approves $500,000 EPA training grant, $3.16 million street contract and multiple appointments
Summary
At its Sept. 23 meeting the Texarkana City Council approved an EPA Brownfields job‑training grant with Texarkana College, awarded a street‑reconstruction contract, and confirmed appointments to the Civil Service Commission; several other grant and interlocal actions also passed by voice vote.
The Texarkana City Council on Sept. 23 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including acceptance of a $500,000 EPA Brownfields job‑training grant to be administered with Texarkana College, a $3,165,025.08 street reconstruction contract, and two Civil Service Commission appointments.
The council approved the consent agenda by voice vote, which included Order 2024‑110 authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Francis Excavating LLC of Texarkana, Texas, not to exceed $3,165,025.08 for the Galleria Oaks and Moores Lane street reconstruction project (funded from the 2022 bond fund, fund 425) and Resolution 2024‑111 authorizing a local own system agreement (LOSA) with the Texas Department of Transportation for the same project. Council member Davis moved the motion to approve the consent agenda; Council member Page seconded. The mayor called for ayes and there were no recorded objections.
The council also passed two separate resolutions on personnel appointments to the Civil Service Commission. Resolution 2024‑107 approved the reappointment of Commissioner Joanne Rice to a three‑year term (this reappointment required a two‑thirds majority because Rice has served more than three consecutive terms, City Manager David Orr noted). Resolution 2024‑113 confirmed the city manager's appointment of Brandon Washington to an unexpired term ending Aug. 7, 2025. Council member Hart moved to reappoint Rice; Council member Davis seconded. The council later moved and seconded confirmation of Washington.
An ordinance (2024‑108) authorizing the city manager to accept an EPA Brownfields job‑training grant in the amount of $500,000 and to enter into a subgrant agreement with Texarkana College passed on a motion by Council member Page with a second by Council member Matlock. City staff stated the funds will be used to provide training to unemployed and underemployed residents in the Texarkana College outreach area; Daphne Ryan, a city staff member, told the council staff “see the life sustaining benefit that will be received by the individuals in our community, utilizing this training and recommend approval.”
The council also approved Resolution 2024‑109 supporting an application, in partnership with Texarkana, Arkansas, for EPA Brownfields community‑wide assessment grant funds of $500,000. Daphne Ryan said the city has an existing memorandum of understanding with the City of Texarkana, Arkansas and would continue under that MOU.
Finally, a public hearing and subsequent vote approved Resolution 2024‑106, authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Texarkana College. The council opened the public hearing, received no public comments, then approved the resolution by voice vote.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (minutes; Order 2024‑110 contract with Francis Excavating LLC; Resolution 2024‑111 LOSA with TxDOT): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Davis. Second: Council member Page. - Resolution 2024‑107 (reappoint Joanne Rice to Civil Service Commission): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Hart. Second: Council member Davis. - Resolution 2024‑113 (confirm appointment of Brandon Washington to Civil Service Commission): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Davis. Second: Council member Page. - Ordinance 2024‑108 (accept $500,000 EPA Brownfields job‑training grant; subgrant with Texarkana College; amend FY2025 budget, fund 206): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Page. Second: Council member Matlock. - Resolution 2024‑109 (support application with Texarkana, Arkansas for $500,000 EPA Brownfields assessment grant): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Hart. Second: Council member Matlock. - Resolution 2024‑106 (approve MOU with Texarkana College — public hearing held, no speakers): Approved by voice vote. Motion: Council member Hart. Second: Council member Davis.
City Manager David Orr reminded the council the Civil Service Commission enforces the Texas Firefighters and Police Officers Civil Service Act, “found in the Local Government Code chapter 143,” while Daphne Ryan described the EPA job‑training grant and recommended the council accept and implement it with Texarkana College. No roll‑call tallies were read; the record shows approval by voice vote on the listed items.
The council also heard several first briefings and scheduled public hearings for October 14, and ended the public meeting before going into a closed session on a pending bankruptcy matter involving Stewart Healthcare System, LLC.
