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Council approves sale of Doctor Pepper Mural Building, HOT grant awards and a Health District appointment
Summary
Council authorized sale and stabilization of the Doctor Pepper Mural Building to a single bidder for $25,650, approved hotel occupancy tax grant recommendations, and appointed a council member to the Angelina Health District board; the council also entered executive session on economic development and returned with no action.
The Lufkin City Council approved a series of noncontroversial business items including a resolution to authorize sale of the Doctor Pepper Mural Building, hotel occupancy tax (HOT) grant awards and the appointment of a representative to the Angelina Health District Board.
Staff reported they had advertised for bids to purchase, renovate and preserve the Doctor Pepper Mural Building at 113 North 2nd Street and received one bid of $25,650, above the $20,000 minimum. The bidder proposed stabilizing the structure, installing a new roof and preserving the mural, with construction anticipated to begin in March 2026 and take about one year. “Staff opened bids on 12/22/2025 and received 1 bid in the amount of $25,650 with a stated plan to stabilize the building, install a new roof, and preservation of the building’s mural,” staff said. Council approved the resolution; the presiding official stated he had recused himself from that vote.
On HOT funding, staff said the fiscal year 2025‑26 budget includes an allocation for reimbursement grants administered through the HOT board in accordance with the Texas tax code (transcript reference: chapter 3 51). The HOT board reviewed 42 applications from multiple entities and recommended a funding schedule; council approved the board’s recommendation. Staff noted HOT grants are reimbursement‑based and funds are released only after events occur and required documentation is submitted.
Council also approved a council appointment to represent the city on the Angelina Health District Board to replace Fire Chief Moody, naming a council member to fill the seat and thanking Chief Moody for five years of service. The council then entered executive session under Texas Government Code §551.087 to deliberate economic development negotiations and reconvened with no action taken. In a brief financial update, staff reported sales tax receipts were up approximately 3.9% year to date.
All items were approved by voice vote or motion; where noted, the presiding official recused himself from the mural building vote.
