Atlanta City Council holds public meeting

Atlanta City Council held a public meeting on December 6 to discuss the submission of the 20232024 Texas Community Development Block Grant Application, along with improving wildlife fencing at the airport and closing on the property to build a new water tower.

The first item on the agenda was the discussion surrounding the submission of TxCDBG grant application.

Mayor James Brooks said ahead of the meeting that it was open to the public to allow citizens “an opportunity to discuss the citizen participation plan, the development of local housing and community development needs, the amount of TxCDBG funding available, all eligible TxCDBG activities and the use of past TxCDBG funds.”

The city encouraged citizens to voice their thoughts and ideas before submitting the application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for one or more TxCDBG grants for the upcoming year.

Texas Department of Agriculture’s Website, texasagriculture. gov/, details that the grant’s main purpose is to help develop viable communities, with decent housing and suitable living environments, as well as provide economic opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes. The grant is eligible for non-entitlement cities with less than 50,000 in population. Counties without a metropolitan population (under 200,000), and are not eligible for direct CDBG funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development– more commonly referred to as HUD.

There were no public comments made in regard to the grant application, though Tomeka White, co-owner of Topp Hat’s Kickin’ Chicken food truck, addressed the council regarding a 1990 statute that some were worried would affect the vitality of food trucks operating within Atlanta.

White was concerned that the 32-year-old ordinance was limiting opportunities for food trucks to operate during downtown functions, as well.

“We care about this issue and showing we are progressive,” White said. “Everyone here in Atlanta deserves to make an honest living.”

Danica Porter, City Manager said it was untrue that the city was limiting food trucks to only popping up twice per year and only at Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce Events.

“That’s not correct,” Porter said, emphasizing that food trucks were welcome at any event downtown that is put on by the community– not just chamber events.

Porter said many cities are far more strict on food truck operations than Atlanta and that White and other concerned parties are always welcome to come and talk to her and help in any way they can.

Second, on the agenda was approval for improved fencing at Hall Miller Municipal Airport with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation. Porter said the airport had problems with wild hogs intruding but now deer were also a concern. A deer stand was also found where someone was hunting deer near the property, where a rifle was also found, which the council found concerning for a number of reasons.

Brooks said a group of concerned neighbors went through the unlocked window of the deer stand to grab the firearm. The project for new fencing would focus mainly on the side bordering the woods, as one side is underwater. The council approved a 2-year project for chain-link fencing, costing approximately $1 million dollars, with $10,000 coming from the airport fund and the remaining $90,000 not coming out until 2025.

The council approved a resolution that confirmed Van Alexander to continue as the member-at-large representative for the Riverbend Water Resources District throughout December 31, 2026.

Before going into executive session, the council approved a resolution to authorize Porter to sign closing documents on the purchase of Collins Road property, where plans are in place to build a water tower.

“The title company is clear on her end,” Porter said. “Once we get a closing date I can sign the closing documents.”