05091966 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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regular meeting, may 9, 1966 page two meet i ng . A I derman Poo I moved that the Counc i I accept the petition and cal I an election for a Charter Commission. Alderman Korff seconded the motion. There was further discussion, with quest ions be i ng answered by Counc i I men and League members. The question being cal led for, the fol l- owing vote was recorded: AYE: NAY: Damon, Froh, Korff, Pool, Whittenberg None The Mayor declared the motion carried. Garland Stokes was recognized by the Mayor. He ex- plained that he had started negotiations with Bishop Reicher over a year ago for purchase of the Roman Cathol ic Church's property adjacent to the City Park. Mr. Stokes quoted the Bishop as saying he had never liked the site, preferring a hilltop location over- looking the val ley. Mr. Stokes said he was prepared to offer the Church $100,000 for property they had purchased for $25,000 three years ago. Negotiations were interrupted by Bishop Reicher's departure for Rome to attend the Second Vatican Counci I. On his return, the Bishop turned the matter over to the new- ly appointed St. John's Parish Advisory Board. Mr. Stokes said"the people whom I represent are sti I I interested" and introduced J.B. Perry, jr. of Perry Variety Stores of lufkin, Texas. Mr. Perry read a I etter to the Counc ii, mak i ng an offer of $50,000 for the 3.62 acres of park land adjoining St. John's property. The letter is attached as a part of the Minutes. Mr. Perry stated his offer was good for that night only, and he would expect an answer at the meet- ing. Purchase was contingent on getting a change in zoning from "public use" to "commercial". Mrs. James Carney asked Mr. Perry what he could do with such a smal I tract of land, and he answered "Shopping Center". Alderman Whittenberg said that since St. John's Parish Advisory Board was next on the agenda to discuss the same piece of property, he felt their proposal should be heard before discussion on Mr. Perry's offer. Robert J. Jay, appearing as spokesman for St. John's, read an offer of $10,000 for the 3.62 acres in question, see letter attached as a part of the Minutes. After a short discussion, Alderman Whittenberg said: "This Counci I is faced with a dilemma. I move the matter be referred to the people for decision on the fol lowing three points: 'I. For sale to the highest bidder, with a minimum price of $50,000. 2. For sale to St. John's for $10,000. 3. Retention of park property by City.' " Alderman Damon seconded the motion. During the discuss- ion, the Mayor recognized Jack Warner, who said the matter should be decided on a dollar and cents basis. He said he owned property with 120-ft. frontage on Bugg lane and he had turned down an offer of $25,000 for it. On that basis, Mr. Warner said, he thought the 3.62 acres was worth more than $50,000. He said he was oppo~ed to sel l- ing any park property. Alderman Pool reminded Mr. Warner that any money realized from sale of park property would have to be spent in acquiring other park property. Mr. Damon reminded Mr. Warner that a professional appraiser had set a value of $50,000 on the property. The Mayor asked Fr. Trevino, pastor of St. John's Church, whether the parish could wait for a decision unti I an election was held. Fr. Trevino said the contractor was putting pressure on them to start, since costs were rising each I I _I