Points of Interest for Monday's meeting: 

Approval of a contract with TxDoT that allows the county tax assessor to deny the renewal of vehicle registrations if the owner has failed to appear in court or pay a traffic law fine.  Dallas started this a couple of years ago and it generated not inconsiderable revenues for them.  While I doubt it will raise a ton of money for Lewisville, it will create another means to ensure people pay their tickets.

Approval of an economic development grant for Huffines Plaza.  This project provides for facade renovations, new signage, pavement and landscaping.  It is to be completed by September and is valued at $850,000 in improvements by the owner.  The proposed agreement provides a grant capped at $200,000 and payable up to a ten year period to the property owner.  When improvements are completed the grant will be paid annually in an amount equal to the real property improvement portion of ad valorem taxes paid to the city.  Basically we'd be giving them that part of their taxes back.  The plaza is 48 years old and could use redevelopment.  I'd be curious what the current ad valorem taxes are and what they will be after the improvements.  It is also interesting that the renovations have already begun without council approval of this grant.  Someone is pretty assured this will pass.

Approval of a cooperation agreement and intent memo to participate in a teen court documentary series being pitched by TVPUG to the television networks.  Several courts are being approached.  Collin County and Longview are onboard, Odessa, Midland and Arlington are considering.  The city would receive location fees, reimbursement of expenses, contributions to the Teen Court Scholarship fund and 10% of net profits if the show is picked up.  My personal knee jerk is, no way I would want my kids potentially involved with a 'Judge Judy' type show.

Approval of a resolution to participate in a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) initiative.  This voluntary program allows the city to submit a comprehensive plan for sanitary sewer repairs and upgrades over an identified timeframe that will reduce the number of SSOs.  This also exempts the city from TCEQ enforcement on overflows between now and completion of the comprehensive plan.  This has been approved by TCEQ through 2013.

Approval of a resolution to work with other Texas New Mexico Power cities to hire attorneys and consultants to evaluate a proposed 158M dollar upgrade to the TNMP metering system that has been proposed for 2011-2015.  Looks like we'll be getting smart meters in the not too distant future.

Approval of the proposed $939,849 CDBG budget for FY 2010-2011.  More info can be found here.  

There is a consideration of a new Variance for DFW Fright Nights for Sept. 24 through Oct 31 with a removal of event materials by December 1.  The DFW Fright Nights group would also add an 8ft tall, 60ft long wooden fence to screen the event from the adjacent neighborhood.  DFW Fright Nights failed to remove the event materials this past year and the neighbors are justifiably upset that this has caused an eyesore.  The haunted house is located at 2301 N. Stemmons if you want to take a peek.

Texas Chips and Cracks is asking for an extension of their three month temporary permit to one year for their successful windshield repair facility in the parking lot of Vista Ridge Mall. The mall is supporting this extension.

Porter Tire at 325 N. Mill St. is asking for a waiver of a $350 variance filing fee, and for a variance on their existing crushed concrete parking lot for 3 years.  In exchange Porter Tire has offered the lot for temporary events parking to the city.  The Old Town Zoning requires a paved lot.

Appointments to CDBG board,  Library board, Park board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment are also being addressed.