The Odessa City Council on Tuesday will consider approving a request to donate a plot of downtown land to Odessa College, so that the college can begin working on a $1.5 million phase one plan to create more greenspace and landscaping downtown and construct a stage area for community concerts and events.
The requested property is the former site of the Odessa American located at Fourth Street and Jackson Avenue.
According to the proposed contract agreement between the city and OC, the college’s phase one plans also include construction of a community garden, food truck parking, splashpad areas, a pet area, outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi.
City Manager Michael Marrero and Odessa College President Gregory Williams have said the project would help draw more people downtown, especially younger families.
If council approves the land donation, the college could have the project’s first phase “up in 12-18 months,” Williams has previously told council.
The second phase, would include construction of a new three-story school building that would house the college’s entrepreneurial classes, Williams has said. The new facility would also house a business incubator where students could launch new businesses.
Council on Tuesday will also consider a proposed code amendment that would allow county property owners to have their property annexed into the city in order to receive city services.
City Planning Director Randy Brinlee said the amended code would allow individuals and companies to petition for annexation so that they can receive such city services as water and sewer, police, trash, and road management.
Only owners of property located in an Ector County Assistance District would be able to apply for annexation, according to documents provided by city’s legal department.
Under the proposed ordinance change, a property owner will first be required to submit an application to the county requesting the annexation. That decision would be made by the Commissioners Court.
Council must also vote a second, a final time in order to officially approve a 2 ½ percent rate hike for water, sewer and sanitation. The rate increases will take effect in October.
The average Odessa household will see a .52 cent increase in their monthly solid waste bills, Assistant City Manager of Administrative Affairs Cindy Muncy said. Residents who live in apartments, or mobile homes will see a .27 cent increase. Small businesses will see a $2 per month increase.
The average household will see their sewer rates increase by .53 cents per month, and residents who use 2,000 gallons, or less per month will see their bills go up by .32 cents per month, Muncy said.
Water users will also see a 2 ½ percent increase in their bills, with users of 5,000 gallons per month seeing their bills go up by $1.92, and rates for residents who use 2,000 gallons will increase by $1.32. Qualifying senior citizens 65 years or older will pay $1 per 2,000 gallons.
The rate increases will not be used to repay a $95 million certificate of obligation that council in August approved to pay for the rehabilitation of the city’s water treatment plant, Muncy reassured council during their Sept. 21 work session.
“The rate increases are needed to cover inflation, equipment costs and an increase in employee salaries,” Muncy said.
