Martha Drake of Grant Works began the proceedings by presenting grant opportunities in areas of sewage treatment and city planning from the Organization Of Rural Community Affairs, and other federal tax dollars directed back to Texas by the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs. She explained the point process to obtain the grants has become more objective. The grants would be for the year 2010-2011.

After discussion, the council voted to submit a grant application for sewer system improvements to the Texas Community Development fund for 2009-2010.

The council also approved resolutions to submit grant applications to the Texas Block Grant program for the Planning/Capacity Building Fund grant, as well as, a resolution designating Schaumburg and Polk as the engineers for the project and authorizing Grant Works to act as administrators of the grants.   

During the open forum portion of the meeting, Gordon Griffin expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and council for their considerable work in straightening out the budget and funds problems. He realized water rates were being raised in accordance with Corsicana's raise on their rates. He also invited the members to the Crime Watch meeting held the first Thursday of the month

Vicky Godby, a resident of the apartments at 114 Hinkle Street, requested help to resolve the stray dog problem. The council expressed their concern and agreement with the problem, but they did not have any current information on exactly what to do or where to take the stray and unleashed dogs.

Kenneth Sutter explained that he didn't own the particular property he had received a notice about and that bids to tear the structure down were imminent. He also requested the trees on Main Street be trimmed as this hadn't been done in two years; the low hanging limbs are tearing up the tarps on the trucks they used to haul cotton through the city.

Elma Stevens requested the city's help to install a water meter on property located at N. W. County Road 2280 where a new home is being erected. The council explained they were forbidden to install new meters out of the city limits but they had been working with Navarro Mills Water Company. He suggested that Ms. Stevens contact the city secretary, and added that current meters were grandfathered in, exempt from the rules.  Mrs. Stevens also mentioned that the trashcans were left out all week attracted the dogs.

During the department reports, Mayor Smith reported the Administration Department was still working on the new budget.

Police Chief Story reported that activity in the park had calmed down and that July had been a slower month. Police activity for the month of July included 46 traffic citations, one-911 Response Call, three City Ordinance Violations, three Animal calls, two Criminal Trespass Warnings, one Burglary, five Court Summons, and five Civil Matters.

Mayor Smith reported that the Public Works Department had been busy with six water and two sewer line repairs, four sewer stoppages, two marked water and sewer lines. All meters were read, two trees were trimmed at intersections, one damaged tree was removed, 17 water meters were serviced, eight brush piles were chipped, as well as replacing a traffic sign.  All mowing was done and samples were taken and submitted on daily/monthly basis. He also pointed out that water service has increased substantially over the month of July with one million gallons being reported from just one of four meters, namely, the football field at the high school.

Mayor Smith also mentioned City Hall was now taping some conversations as result of a disagreeable conversation with a customer regarding water service.

Code Enforcement Representative Jean Hinkle expressed her appreciation for the way Blooming Grove had begun to clean up, but there were still problems. Of the 21 particular concerns, three were of particular concern:  the dangerous condition of the Hinkle Building, the lot at 200 West Clark, and the trash in back of 400 Hinkley.

The Council voted to support a move to discontinue diverting of Transportation User Revenues to Non- Transportation Uses at the state level. Mayor Smith clarified this was a request for Blooming Grove to stand with other communities statewide against using fuel taxes for anything else but road maintenance.

The Council voted to sponsor the Blooming Grove Ex-Students Coffee on October 18, 2008.

The Council awarded the contract for a visual security system contract for the municipal court, adding an audio option to the system.

Since Labor Day lands on the first Monday in September, the Council moved the date of the regular meeting up to September 9, 2008. The Council then voted to receive the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009.

The Council continued discussion of the burn ordinance. Ricki Crenshaw and Glenn Saunders passed out copies of the tentative burn code for consideration. All council members agreed that Blooming Grove needed a Fire Marshall, but their search has so far been unsuccessful.

The city of Blooming Grove will raise current water rates by 15% in response to Corsicana’s rate hike.

---