EXARKANA. Texas - Developers of the former Texarkana National Bank building will get access to an additional $500,000 to pay for continued clean-up of toxic materials inside the historic structure.
Texarkana, Texas City Council members agreed Monday to loan the money, (which will come from Environmental Protection Agency loan funds), to Texarkana Renewal Properties LLC. This will allow the company to continue removing any and all hazardous (asbestos related) material from the building's interior, said David Peavy, with Texarkana Renewal Properties, during the public hearing portion of the meeting.
"Part of the bank building was constructed in 1914 and the other part in 1925, so we are trying to get it placed on the National Register of Historic places," Peavy said. "This loan actually comes from federal tax dollar money, so hazardous material can be disposed of properly."
Council members also agreed to hire a company to conduct audits of city tax revenues.
This measure allows Texas-side City Manager Shirley Jaster to contract the Chicago-based Azavar Audit firm to study the city's collection of sales taxes as well as hotel occupancy taxes, along with franchise fees from utility companies.
In other business, the council, approved hazardous pay bonuses to city employees whose work put them at increased risk of COVID-19 infection.
The measure provides for those city employees, such as first responders as well as some general service employees who confront extreme hazards, to receive a 0ne-time payment of $2,000 included in their next paycheck, Jaster said. Other critical employees who help in such areas as code enforcement, building inspections and health inspections, will get $1,000.
Jaster added that Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Emergency Service Act funds are available to reimburse the city.
In other business, Texas-side Fire Chief Eric Schlotter told council members that even though there are news reports about COVID-19 vaccines becoming available, he added that they won't likely be ready for the general public for several more months - and he urged the public to continue taking all the necessary precautions regarding mask wearing and social distancing.
"Right now, these vaccines will likely be distributed in phases so they may not be available to the general public right a way," he said. "It's good that vaccines may be coming out, but don't let that lessen all the necessary precautions."