Community Meeting - Informative reports, questions and comments

Monday evening, May 6, a community meeting, open to the public, was held at the Progressive Outreach Center, 615 W. Virginia Street in Navasota. Johnny McNally, Grimes County Economic Development Director, Barbara Walker, Grimes County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and Brad Stafford, Navasota City Manager, gave citizens an overview of the current status and future plans for the city and county. Topics included housing developments, new businesses coming to the area, jobs and job training and infrastructure projects. It was an opportunity for people to get information as well as to ask questions.

After the meeting was officially opened by Mayor Bert Miller, Commissioner Walker said its purpose was to not only give reports but to “sit down and talk with you about what you see as the vision of Navasota.” She said revisions to plans for State Highway 249 have made it non-tolled in Grimes County and there are plans for overpasses at CR 305 and CR

307. Highway 105 will have overpasses at FM 1774, CR 304 and FM 1748. She also said the roads will be more reliable and safer.

Walker reported on other items improving safety as well as health:

• The addition of an ambulance, bringing the count to four in Grimes County. This was a partnership with CHI St. Joseph Hospital.

• Also located at the hospital is the Grimes Health Resource Center which provides transportation, meals and other services.

• Additional 911 operators and dispatchers were added which will improve emergency response times.

• All deputy patrol units now have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) which can correct abnormal heart rhythms.

• All deputies now have body cameras.

Noting the shortage of skilled workers in the area, Walker said the Navasota Workforce and Blinn College Committee will continue its bootcamps which trains adults in skills needed by local industries. The Navasota and Grimes County designation as Opportunity Zones in December 2018 is expected to spur economic development.

Walker noted it is now possible to go to the county website for any Texas birth certificate. That information and more can be found online at www.co.grimes.tx.us,Grimes County offices, 205 Veterans Memorial Drive in Navasota, TX or by phone 936-873-3916.

After acknowledging city staff and introducing city council members Bernie Gessner and Josh Fultz, Brittany Bay of the Keep Navasota Beautiful Board and Municipal Judge Pat Gruner, Navasota City Manager Brad Stafford spoke about the increased commercial and residential growth in the city. He said a hotel, restaurant and apartments are coming to downtown near Railroad Street. He said there will also be a Burger King on Washington Avenue, near Walmart. Stafford said, “The City and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has almost $6 million in infrastructure projects underway.” Projects included Foster St. and downtown drainage, sewer, sidewalk improvements, alley reconstructions, street paving, crosswalks, etc. Stafford said, “One of the advantages of the new sewer mains [can be seen] at the new lift stations on Washington Avenue. When it rained it would take 20 hours to get the water out because there was a lot of rain in the broken pipes. Since we’ve replaced that, it only runs six hours. In the end, that will save us all a lot of money.”

ASCADA, supervisory, control and data acquisition system, is being worked on by the City’s Utility Department. Stafford said, “It helps control the pumps on our water and waste water systems and it will automatically notify staff of any outages such as a pump going out. Another project is meter replacement. We need to have accurate billing in order get the revenue needed [for all the improvements].” He said that the City is applying for as much grant money as possible and mentioned the Highway 249 and other transportation projects. “That gives us great access to Houston which helps with economic development [as it] helps us attract new businesses. Many of our industries here need access to the Port of Houston and [other industries] in Houston.”

Stafford said there is a need for a new fire station as the current building is old and will need to be replaced. He said the city budget is $18.5 million with less than $2 million coming from property taxes. Sales tax generates less than $2 million dollars with the balance coming from utilities and fines and fees. “Navasota sells water, sewer and natural gas. A lot of cities don’t have a natural gas system and that allows us to make [some] money to help improve and help bring more services [to citizens]. It helps pay for parks, the library and the police and fire departments.” Attending the meeting was Police Chief Shawn Myatt who said that it cost just under $2 million dollars to run the police department. “Taxes don’t even cover our Police Department”, said Stafford. “The Fire Department is another $600,000. I just want you to know that city council and city staff are always looking for ways to stretch money.”

Stafford says he feels that the Texas Legislature is not making the best decisions for small communities. He said, “If you live in Navasota you are taxed by the City, Grimes County and the school district. The State has cut education funding so much that our schools are required to raise taxes. It’s written into the State’s budget that [schools must] raise their taxes to cover their costs. They’re also considering taking away some franchise fees which is a source of revenue for the city.” He used a cable TV company as an example. “They pay the city for utilizing the streets and alleyways. The State is trying to take some of that away. You have to either generate money or reduce services. We’ll have decisions to make.”

Stafford suggested speaking to City and County elected officials who are able to bring concerns to the State level. City of Navasota information is at City Hall, 200 E. McAlpine Street in Navasota, TX, online at navasotatx.gov or by phone, 936-825-6475.

Johnny McNally, EDC Director as well as Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said his job is to market the city and to bring in new businesses. He said, “We have a good regional team and work well with [surrounding counties]. We know that if something is coming to one area it benefits all of us. There is a lot of inter-commerce that goes on among the communities.” McNally said that even though you may not hear much about what the EDC is doing, there is information at their website, grimescoed.com. He can also be contacted through the Chamber, navasotagrimeschamber.com .

Several residents spoke during the question and answer session.

• Elton Wilson participates in the Keep Navasota Beautiful Trash-Off. He had questions and comments about drainage and cleaning and upgrading neighborhoods, particularly those in the Carver area.

• Jamel Thomas, owner/ operator of the Farmers Insurance Agency, said his customers need people with technology skills. He was glad to hear the City’s plans that addressed the issue.

• Dorothy Sargent wanted specifics about the term “good paying job”. County Economic Development Director Johnny McNally said $25 per hour.

• Brenda Williams had comments about the importance of early education programs such as Head Start. She voiced concerns about youth who get in trouble with the law being employable after they leave the criminal justice system.

• An art teacher in the Navasota schools spoke about the need to encourage children.

• Doris Sauls had questions and comments about the affordability of planned housing.

• Rhonda Wilson suggested that signs be posted to advertise City accomplishments in a neighborhood because, as she says, “Not everyone is on Facebook.”