Civic Center considerations going back before Council
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

The plans, possibilities and costs of El Campo Civic Center renovations will be presented to City Council during its upcoming Tuesday session.

Last month Council toured the Civic Center, examining each room as well as the lobby to discuss potential changes to the building although no cost estimates were available at the time.

Cost will be a determining factor, Mayor Phillip Spenrath said during the Council workshop.

City Council currently has allo-

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cated $1 million for the project, but can add to that figure should it so choose.

The 41,170 square-foot building opened as a K-Mart in 1979 and still has the same roof and air-conditioning system, both of which are scheduled for replacement. The city opened the building as a Civic Center in 1989. It replaced an old World War II-era USO frame building where part of the current EMS Department is now located.

General plans for the renovation also call for new lighting and flooring throughout the building as well as a vestibule or second set of front doors leading into the lobby.

Other discussions include a new facade for the building, an updated sound and lighting system, renovated bathrooms including automatic flush toilets and a separate entrance to the El Campo Museum.

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

Other items include:

• St. Robert's Catholic Church is requesting the city abandon a portion of Bellman Street near the church property. Although the right of way exists, Bellman does not actually extend south of Second Street.

• Wharton County Tax Assessor Collector Patrick Kubala is requesting the city share in the cost of upgrading county computer equipment to make it compatible with machines the Wharton County Central Appraisal District will be purchasing.

• Dr. Ronald Cochran is requesting the city allow utility lines to be extended to his property on Wilson Road.

• The calendar for 2008- 2009 budget planning will be presented.

• Council is expected to address the announced retirement of EMS Director and Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Appling. Appling's last day will be June 30.

• An executive, or closeddoor session, is anticipated to discuss the lease, purchase or exchange of real estate. Any decisions, if needed, will be made once Council returns to open session.