Arts summit scheduled for March 21

Eric Lashley, director of the Georgetown Public Library, will give a presentation March 21 on plans for the proposed pilot program for an arts center in downtown Georgetown. Various nonprofit art groups will also speak about their organization's activities. The meeting is open to the community and begins at 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.

May elections could be canceled

Georgetown City Council will consider a resolution to cancel the city's May elections at a future meeting. Only two candidates filed for places on the May 12 ballot, including City Council District 1 incumbent Patty Eason and Jerry Hammerlun, who will take Pat Berryman's District 5 seat. Berryman did not seek re-election.

A partner and CFO with architecture, engineering and management firm Huckabee, Hammerlun said he plans to work on economic development and hopes to improve the development process.

Hammerlun said he is also focused on keeping the Georgetown tax base balanced between commercial and residential development.

Eason, who also serves as mayor pro tem, will begin her fourth term on the council. As a councilwoman, Eason also serves on the Lone Star Rail District board of directors.

Hammerlun and Eason will both represent new district boundaries as well.

Community Development Block Grants applications approved

City Council authorized staff Feb. 28 to submit an application to Williamson County to request a portion of the 2012–13 fiscal year Community Development Block Grants, federal grant money that is given to the county to distribute. The funds total $1.1 million, and they will be allocated for projects throughout the entire county.

City projects requesting grant funding:

  • Fire protection installation for the neighborhood east of Austin Avenue, including Morrow and Spring Streets, where there is a lack of fire hydrants and protection. The city's lines can't support additional hydrants, so new lines are needed as well. The request totals $400,000 for the improvements.
  • Georgetown Housing Coordinator Jennifer Bills said she will also apply for up to $50,000 to grant scholarships for low-income, special-needs children to attend summer camp. The funds would also possibly cover scholarships for income-eligible households to receive recreation center memberships.
  • Improvements to San Jose and Chautauqua parks to replace aging infrastructure including restroom facilities. The entire structure needs to be removed and replaced, according to Bills, and she applied for up to $200,000 for the project.
  • Expansion of sidewalk routes in the city.

The city is applying for $964,000, but Bills said she does not expect to get that much. In 2011, Georgetown received $69,180, and in 2010, the city was granted $440,000.

Other actions

  • Council voted to negotiate an agreement for acquisition of real estate, located on San Gabriel Boulevard and Hwy. 29, for parkland.
  • Council approved the reallocation of $16,000 from the city's 2011–12 excess fund budget to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget to keep public pools open five days a week, instead of four, during summer 2012.

Resolutions of support approved for three affordable housing complexes

On Feb. 28, Georgetown City Council members approved three resolutions of support for affordable housing developments to apply for housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

One of the projects, Gateway Northwest Apartments, is planned for development at Northwest Boulevard and Washam Drive and is expected to include 180 income-restricted units. Rents would range from about $360–$1,000 depending on income level and apartment size, Texas Housing Foundation CEO Mark Mayfield said.

Palladium (USA) International Inc. is also seeking housing tax credits and HOME Investment Partnership Programs funds to build Kiron at Mesquite Lane, which would include 82 units and be located at 2805 Mesquite Lane.

The council also approved a resolution of support for Georgetown Senior Ltd., which is seeking housing tax credits for Georgetown Senior, a 120 unit age- and income-restricted complex to be located at 410 Shell Road.