Civic Center renovations top Council workshop Tuesday
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Building renovations, new construction and how it all fits into the vision of El Campo in 2020 will be up for debate Tuesday when City Council gathers for a workshop.

Council has already authorized a certificate of obligation package which will make $1.65 million available for project funding next month.

It will be coupled with $1.25 million from the General Fund Balance - a pool of unexpended budget dollars from earlier years. Currently the fund balance is $3.5 million over the three-month reserve typical for municipalities.

RWS Architects, the same company engaged by the school district for the design of the FM 2765 middle school, was hired in September to assist the city.

A representative from the firm will review designs with Council Tuesday.

A major renovation at the El Campo Civic Center is planned, including the replacement of the original 1979 air-conditioning and heating system as well as floor tiles.

The city also is looking at expanding women's restroom facilities to comply with occupancy load laws, adding least 14 more women's stalls. Partitions to further divide the main auditorium when needed are planned as well.

Also on the work list is a police department expansion, new animal control building, new fire truck and repairs to other buildings.

The $650,000 fire pumper is on order and is expected to be delivered in January.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 315 E. Jackson. The session is open to the public with time specifically designated for citizen comments.

At the same session, Council will review a draft update of the city's 2020 Comprehensive Plan. The document outlines repairs, upgrades and expansions of everything from city parks and streets to annexations and utility upgrades while setting a target implementation date for each.

The city has been working with representatives of a Lower Colorado River Authority Planning group to update the document first approved in 2000.

The certificate of obligation funding will be repaid with an additional citizen tax to be levied starting next year.