Kati Westcott urges reinstatement of Chula Community Center board; aldermen approve table purchase

At the Jan. 5 meeting of the Chula Board of Aldermen, Community Center representative Kati Westcott urged the council to reinstate the Community Center Board and reported heavy community use of the facility, and the council approved the purchase of new tables following her remarks.

Westcott told the board the Community Center has been used “63 times for community service (church, 4H), 35 times [by] local residents, 2 times [by] out‑of‑town residents, and 3 funeral dinners.” She said she has a copy of the center’s bylaws and a state reinstatement packet, which she gave to Mayor Cody Ireland and said would be sent to the city attorney for review and a decision.

Westcott also raised facility maintenance points, saying that electric upgrades at the Community Center will require three bids, and outlined a proposed equipment purchase: six 6‑foot and twelve 8‑foot black commercial‑grade tables, each rated to a 2,000‑pound maximum.

Alderman Andy Harbert moved to approve the purchase of the tables; Alderman Geremy Bru seconded the motion, which the board approved 4‑0. The motion record provided by the meeting transcript lists the mover, the seconder and the outcome but does not include individual roll‑call votes.

Westcott announced a community taco bar scheduled for April 11, 2026, at the Community Center and said she would proceed with ordering the approved tables once the purchase was authorized. The packet and bylaws Westcott referenced were noted to be forwarded to the city attorney for review; the transcript does not record the attorney’s response or a subsequent date for a council decision on formal reinstatement of the Community Center Board.

The meeting continued to other public comments after the Community Center item.