Anna CDC approves transfers to EDC, $100,000 demolition contract and $75,000 grant support

The Anna Community Development Corporation voted Aug. 7 to authorize three separate expenditures: up to $75,000 to support the City of Anna’s application to the Texas Community Development Block Grant (Community Development Fund); up to $250,000 to transfer from the CDC to the Anna Economic Development Corporation for certain projects; and up to $100,000 for demolition of structures on downtown CDC-owned properties under an agreement with Hawkins Construction.

The actions were taken after brief public hearings. City and CDC staff described the $75,000 item as a housekeeping transfer tied to a previously approved Community Development Fund grant that funded street work near Reagan’s; the CDC’s role is to transfer the funds back to the city to complete that grant-related accounting. The resolution authorizes an expenditure “not to exceed $75,000” to support the city’s application to the Texas Community Development Block Grant program.

On the $250,000 transfer, the board voted to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $250,000 from the CDC to the EDC “for certain projects.” When asked at the hearing which projects would be covered, staff described the line item only in general terms; the transcript records that the projects themselves were not detailed during the meeting.

The board also approved up to $100,000 for demolition of structures on CDC-owned downtown lots and authorized entering an agreement with Hawkins Construction. Staff said the work is intended to clear six structures on CDC-owned parcels to create “clean plates” for future development as part of a broader downtown redevelopment effort. Staff explained the demolitions are tied to an expected refinancing of loans that currently use the buildings as collateral with Lamar Bank; the refinance would allow the city and CDC to develop the sites. Board members confirmed the properties are houses, not commercial buildings, that no one currently lives in them and that the $100,000 figure is intended to cover demolition even if septic tanks must be addressed. Board members also asked what would happen if the full $100,000 is not spent; staff said funds would be used only as needed, up to the authorized amount.

Several motions and seconds were made on the items during the Aug. 7 meeting; the transcript records a second by Mr. Williams for one of the motions. Each resolution was carried by recorded voice vote at the meeting.

During the meeting’s director’s report, staff described a recently held developer forum and other business-development activity. Staff said the economic development forum drew a strong turnout, increased social-media engagement and newsletter signups, and produced interest in an illustrative map for downtown that would identify parcels and preferred uses such as retail, restaurants, a boutique hotel or pocket parks. Staff also reported discussions with regional contacts on the FM 455 realignment feasibility study, an invitation to participate in a VRE Alliance meeting with neighboring cities, 14 contacts regarding VRE expansion, 10 predevelopment meetings, and that sales tax receipts were up 12% year over year.

The board moved into a closed session citing Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.072 (real property), 551.074 (personnel), and 551.087 (economic development/development negotiations) and returned to open session about 32 minutes later. The board reported no reportable action from closed session.

The meeting opened with the pledge and a brief invocation, welcomed returning board member Mr. Grisham and conducted routine consent approvals of meeting minutes before the public hearings and votes. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.