City plans to formalize deal with Chamber
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Although the El Campo Chamber of Commerce has been housed in a city-owned building for decades, no formal lease has ever existed. Monday, City Council plans to change that.

Council is being asked to consider two items regarding the Chamber - first a formal lease between the Chamber of Commerce and the city and, secondly, a request from the Chamber of sublet the building to another agency.

The Chamber had been sharing the building with the City Development Corporation - a municipally created entity.

The CDC opted to relocate to El Campo's Northside Center leaving the Chamber with vacant office space and, soon, the loss of $600 in rent. The Chamber, however, does not pay rent to be housed in the city-owned East Jackson Street building.

The El Campo City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday in chambers, 315 E. Jackson. The meeting is open to the public with time designated for citizen comments.

Although City Council, by Charter, meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, those meeting dates were changed to Mondays during January and February to accommodate Mayor Phillip Spenrath.

Spenrath, a high school government teacher, is the varsity boys basketball coach at El Campo High School. His team will be playing on Tuesdays during January and February.

Other items on the upcoming Monday agenda include:

• An update to the city's Comprehensive Plan will be considered. The city has been working with the Lower Colorado River Authority on an update to its 2020 Comprehensive Plan, a document outlining proposed improvements to the city in infrastructure, transportation, parks and other quality of life issues.

The LCRA agreed to help update the 2000 document free of charge.

• Consideration of a resolution showing City Council's participation in the Wharton County Flood Mitigation Plan. The city has been working on drainage in and around the Tres Palacios Creek in coordination with a county drainage study.

• City Council will be asked to consider the purchase of a boom mower and tractor as well as a camera to be used in the city's sewer system.

• Council will be asked to name a replacement for Councilman Kyle Smith on the Wharton County Central Appraisal District board.

Smith resigned in December to take a job with the Small Business Development Center.