GENTRY -- City council on Monday night passed an ordinance to repeal an old ordinance regarding swimming pools and voted to extend the lawn mowing contract with Lemke Lawns for another year.
An ordinance recommended by the city's planning commission repealed Chapter 11.36 of the city's municipal code because the Standard Building Code adopted by the city already adequately covers safety requirements for swimming pools within the city. It was passed on three readings with a single vote, meaning it will go into effect as soon as it is published.
The Standard Building Code, which remains in place, requires a six-foot fence or screen enclosure around swimming pools and self-closing and self-latching gates.
The current contract with Lemke Lawns was extended for another year by the council, with no increase in cost to the city. The contract included a clause to allow it to be renewed annually by the council without the bidding process for up to five years. The renewal was the second such renewal with Lemke Lawns.
The council was provided with detailed plans for a new restroom facility in the city park and told the city is moving forward with construction plans because of money dedicated to the project -- $35,000 from Gentry United Way and another $30,000 in General Improvement Funding given to the city through State Representative Dan Douglas.
Mayor Kevin Johnston told the council that railroad improvements under way were for the roadways but that the sidewalk crossing for South Collins should be arriving shortly and be installed. He said the city might put in a temporary walk once the crossing is in place because new crossing gates will be installed within the next year and it would be better to have them installed so permanent connecting sidewalks can be built around the crossing gates.
Also discussed was the annual employee appreciation dinner planned for Dec. 4. Though no vote was taken, council members voiced their support of continuing the annual dinners for employees and volunteers.
General News on 11/05/2014