Coldspring steps forward with grants

COLDSPRING — The city of Coldspring’s latest windfall is in the form of a grant from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department.

Mayor John Benestante said that at the April 7 meeting, the city council discussed the $300,000 grant the city received, which will be used to renovate the walking trail in the park behind the city.

Benestante said the city will sign the grant contract, which requires a 50-50 match from the city.

Another item being considered for grant funding is lighting at the youth ballpark.

In a related matter, the council approved necessary items for a Community Development Block Grant for downtown revitalization.

In other business, the council:

• discussed an agreement with the youth sports league, which will be reviewed and at a later meeting;
• discussed changes to the city’s website, which now sports a link to Visit Coldspring;
• reviewed the proposed public events ordinance, particularly on working out an issue of paying for security;
• agreed that fencing around a junkyard on Highway 150 should be 8 feet high with 8-foot gates;
• discussed a road closure on FM 945 for bridge construction. Benestante said he would like to discuss a way for traffic to get by with TxDOT; and
• discussed redoing an open burning ordinance.