Reports on the City of Livingston’s Main Street Program and the Livingston Police Department’s Flock Camera System were presented during the Jan. 14 regular meeting of the Livingston City Council.
The City of Livingston became a Main Street City in 2005, one of 85 in Texas right now, through a program administered by the Texas Historical Commission. The Main Street District is a 10-block area that was determined by the Texas Historical Commission in 2005.
Main Street Manager Lynn Riley reported that she feels blessed and privileged to have a working nine-member board. She said she attends two conferences per year and that she reports quarterly to both the Texas Historical Commission and the Main Street Program.
Accredited in 2023, the city’s Main Street Program is solely run on fundraisers through which various grants for infrastructure, façade, paint and signs may be awarded to businesses within the Main Street District. To date, $73,000 in grants have been awarded, Riley said.
She and the board work closely with the business owners and try to do regular events to bring people downtown. The next one, “Mardi Gras on Main” is a Main Street Sip & Shop from 4-8 p.m. on Feb. 8.
For additional information about the Main Street Program, call 936-327-3656.
Police Chief Matt Parrish and Lieutenant David Mitchell reported on the success and expansion of the police department’s Flock Camera System. Started in 2017, over $1 million worth of property has been recovered. All of the department’s cameras are integrated and are also part of 642 different networks.
“It’s a good tool, worth every dollar,” Parrish said, emphasizing that it is not used to write citations, but is strictly used for felony offenses, Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts.
Council approved a proposed resolution adopting the 2024 Polk County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Last updated in 2018, the plan has been approved by FEMA but must be approved by each of the incorporated cities in the county. Moving forward, the plan will be reviewed with the core team annually.
The city’s pro-rata share of the 2024 dues for Brazos Transit District, in the amount of $4,200, was approved. Brazos Transit has been serving 21 counties in the area since 1996.
A discussion of the city’s investment policy has Council considering amending it and possibly restructuring its accounts due to possible rate cuts. Action on the matter was tabled until the February meeting.
During his monthly update on various projects and events, City Manager Bill S. Wiggins reminded everyone of the upcoming Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Jan. 30.
Wiggins touched on a few of the 18 commercial projects that are underway in the city, reporting that two have been completed. One is the conversion to a specialty hospital of Exceptional Emergency Room located at 111 Emergency Dr. The other is the remodel of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church located at 2590 US Hwy. 190 West. Work is ongoing regarding the historic restoration of the Polk County Courthouse at 101 W. Church St. and the construction of Denny’s at 220 Emergency Dr. Plans for McCulley Shoe Store at 914 W. Church have presently been put on hold.
Additionally, 15 residential home permits have been issued and are in various stages of construction.
Wiggins also mentioned the demolition of the old Central Baptist Church sanctuary at 503 N. Houston which is complete, and that cleanup is presently underway. He also reported that the repairs have been made on the Highline/LifeVine drainage project and that everything is being put back together now.
In closing, Wiggins reported that the city crews have been prepping and winterizing the city’s vehicles and buildings for the upcoming winter storm.
Council entered into an executive session to consult with the city attorney but took no action upon return to open session.
Other business included approval of the minutes of the Dec. 10 meeting and accounts over $500.
