Keep Collinsville Beautiful (KCB) President Betty Graham announced her retirement during last week’s City Council Meeting. After serving in the role for 15 years, Graham announced that president-elect Kristy Parrot is shadowing her and will take over the position soon.
“I want to thank you for your many years of service,” Alderman Brandon White said to Graham. Then, to Parrot he said, “You have big shoes to fill, but I know you can do it.”
The room filled with applause before Graham said, “This has been a joy to me. I love doing something where I see results.”
KCB held a successful clean-up day on March 14 during which they tidied up downtown and planted a tree. They’re looking forward to their city-wide clean-up day on April 11, removing trash from the highway and providing dumpsters for residents to clean up their homes.
The Collinsville Area Chamber of Commerce is looking ahead to some upcoming community events, including the Community Easter Egg hunt scheduled for March 28 at 10 a.m. Sponsor 4U Credit Union will be providing an Easter Bunny and 5,000 filled Easter eggs.
The organization is also working on plans for Pioneer Day to be held on Sept. 19. The headlining act will be James McMurtry. McMurtry is an American rock and folk rock/americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader and occasional actor.
Mayor Chase Guidera approved a proclamation for “America 250! – The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.”
A discussion about reinstating a local Farmers Market in Collinsville was tabled for further discussions with Dusty Mason and Felisha Larance, who are the driving forces behind the idea.
Council canceled the May 2 General Election, as candidates are running unopposed.
Collinsville Fire Chief Damon Stewart led a discussion regarding a grant to purchase a mini bumper or quick response unit. This apparatus would be a smaller vehicle for rapid response to a variety of emergency incidents. Additionally, it does not require a special license to drive it, so more firefighters could access it for emergency response. The grant would reimburse the City $165,000, so the truck would cost the City $175,000. Stewart suggested selling the department’s older 2003 brush truck to help offset the cost.
Ultimately, the Council authorized City Finance Director Karla Young to research interest rates on loans so a decision can be made at next month’s meeting.
Also included in the possible loan amount is $14,000 for a generator to ensure the Fire Department doesn’t lose power during natural disasters.
A discussion about switching dispatch service for the Collinsville Police Department was tabled, and Jane Proffer and Coryann Johnson were approved as commissioners for the Economic Development Corporation. (Council asked to review the bylaws to clarify term details.)
Council approved an ordinance regarding Certificates of Occupancy, which essentially means any time a property changes hands, the residents must get an inspection done. The vote was split 3-2, with White and Steve Ritchey in opposition over the ordinance’s wording.
Council approved the appointment of Police Officer Jon Cheshire as Interim Police Chief and authorized him to be a co-signor for City bank accounts.
They also approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City and Grayson County for Subdivision Regulation Authority for the regulation of platting in the City’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction as required by state law and authorizing the mayor to execute necessary documents.
After executive session, the Council took no action on City Administrator duties and oversight or Associate Judge Thomas Worsham. They did, however, request the City Administrator and City Attorney to request the appearance of Judge Britton Brooks at the next meeting to discuss his duties with the City.
The meeting was then adjourned.
