EMAIL THE CITY COUNCIL AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINION about
- a)
accepting a gift of land with the stipulation the city must
build a new city hall on that land and,
- b) building a new city hall downtown.
YOUR
OPINION COUNTS!
Mayor David Wampler - David.Wampler@Kerrvilletx.gov
Councilman Bruce Motheral - Place 1 - Bruce.Motheral@Kerrvilletx.gov
Councilman Stacie Keeble - Place 2 - Stacie.Keeble@Kerrvilletx.gov
Councilman Scott T. Gross - Place 3 - Scott.Gross@Kerrvilletx.gov
Councilman Gene Allen - Place 4 - Gene.Allen@Kerrvilletx.gov
The City says the present facility has too little floor space
for their needs.
The City of Kerrville is considering a gift of land from the Cailloux
Foundation that is located where the old Emergency Room and it's
parking area, and the Guy Griggs building was located.
The Cailloux Foundation has included a stipulation with the gift
- that a new City Hall be built on that site. Eye on Government
believes accepting the gift without any stipulations makes good
sense; but with stipulations, is not acceptable to the
City or its citizens.
If anyone has been downtown in recent years you'll notice much
new business and established business have
remained. Parking space on both Water and Earl Garrett streets
are at a premium (especially during lunch hours or when a major
case is being tried at the courthouse).
The real issue here is whether the City and citizens
of Kerrville should be directed to build a city hall by any
person or organization. That is akin to special interest lobbyists
and big unions telling your state and national representatives
how to vote.
Mayor Wampler stated in the 12/9/2010 Special Council meeting:
"That's 4.3 million dollars that the city of Kerrville over
the future can spend on other projects, other infrastructure."
and "Well, if we proceed and this venture comes to fruition,
then this property goes back on the tax rolls and with high traffic
counts this (current city hall property) is probably a pretty
valuable piece of property for future development."
Some facts (as of 12/15/2010):
| PROPERTY |
ACRES |
APPRAISED VALUE |
PER ACRE |
| Present City Hall (w/parking) |
2.27 |
$247,983 |
$109,244 |
| Cailloux proposed land gift |
0.9797 |
$357,501 |
$364,909 |
| Old Hospital, Emergency Room & Parking property |
1.9593 |
$715,002 |
$364,927 |
It's obvious from the above facts that the current city hall
property is not more valuable than the property the Cailloux
propose as a gift - logically, tax revenue would be more on the
downtown property. But, that may be a mute issue depending on
who ends up owning this "gift".
In that same meeting, Mr. Modisett (the Cailloux Foundation's
representative
at the special meeting) stated the property proposed as a gift
to the city included "...the property that has the "Welcome
to Kerrville" sign on it, used to be where the Emergency Room
and Guy Griggs building was. Also, and it would be for the construction
of a new city hall."
That would indicate the property in the above facts that amounts
to 0.9797 acres - less than 45% of the present city hall land
acreage including parking.
And finally. If you think you have a say in what your city is
doing, think again. EyeOnGovernment recently quizzed all councilmen
with the following questions. Only two councilmen responded.
The Mayor, Gene Allen and Bruce Motheral did not respond even
after a second request was sent to them. Here are the questions
and the responses. Pay close attention to councilman Gross' and
councilman Keeble's response to a followup to question #2. It's
obvious your councilmen (other than Ms. Keeble) have no desire
to let
you,
the citizens of Kerrville, make a decision in this very important
matter.
We
do give
Ms.
Keeble credit for at least taking the proposal to the other council
members (even though it appears she was soundly rejected) and
for also standing firm on not exceeding the amount set aside
to build a new city hall.
Also, we quizzed Mr. Parton, the city manager, about precisely
what property was involved in the "gift". As of this writing
he has not responded.
QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL
Sent to each councilman December 14, 2010 @ 9:11 a.m.
1. Why did the City Council decide to hold a special Council
meeting to hear the Cailloux Foundation's proposed gift presentation
rather than including it on the regular 12/14 council agenda?
2. Given the potential impact to the City and Community (economically
and aesthetically) would you include an agenda item on the next
regularly scheduled Council meeting to:
* Waive a Council vote on the Cailloux Foundation's gift of
land to the City.
* Include on the next regularly scheduled City Election Ballot
an entry to vote YES or NO to: "Accept the Cailloux Foundation's
gift of land at 700 Water St. - which includes their stipulation
that it be used to locate and build a new City Hall - at the
City's expense."
ANSWERS
Mayor David Wampler- Place 3 - No Response
Councilman Bruce Motheral- Place 1 -
No Response
Councilman Gene Allen- Place 4 - No
Response
Councilman Scott T. Gross - Place 3
12/14/2010 11:47 a.m.
1. It was appropriate considering the magnitude of the gift.
2. No
Follow up question:
12/14/2010 2:32 p.m.
So that I am clear, you are not in favor of sending the Cailloux
Foundation's gift of land with stipulations to the citizens of
Kerrville for a yes or no vote?
Answer:
12/14/2010 4:48 p.m.
City Council is elected by the people and charged with the responsibility
to make informed decisions on their behalf. That is the American
style of democracy.
Councilman Stacie Keeble - Place 2
12/14/2010 12:03 p.m.
1. Again, all I can say is that the Caillouxs asked for the meeting
to be held on that day.
2. Also, we do have 2.1 million set aside for the building of
a city hall downtown. I would not vote to spend more than that
or to raise taxes to pay for additional expense.
Follow up question:
12/14/2010 12:03 p.m.
But, would you vote to send the question to the voters to accept
or decline the gift as stipulated as indicated in item #2.
Answer:
12/15/2010 2:56 p.m.
I raised this question with the rest of council and they rejected
the idea. I believe that we should be doing only what the people
want, but I am outnumbered.
So.......
Should the City accept a gift that has strings attached?
Does the City of Kerrville need to move City Hall?
Does the City of Kerrville need to look inward and streamline
staffing and operations?
Will a City Hall in Downtown Kerrville stimulate business in
that area?
These questions are for you to decide. Your opinions count.
Please complete our survey by clicking HERE.
(COMING SOON)
