Royer recognized for economic development efforts over past 24 years
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The longest serving member of the Abilene Economic Development Council was recognized by city commissioners during Monday’s meeting.
Abilene attorney Robert H. “Hank” Royer Jr., who was a member of the council for 24 years before he retired in June, was recognized by city commissioners for his work on behalf of the community. Abilene mayor Diane Miller presented Royer with a plaque and read an inscription that was inspired by Winston Churchill about the importance of giving back.
“Thank you very much,”Royer said.
The attorney remembered a conversation he had with his grandfather and Henry Jameson, former editor-publisher of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. The conversation was brief, but it talked about the need for business leaders to step up and take on civic responsibility and volunteer to help make the community a better place to live.
Royer said his grandfather embraced the message. He was a former city attorney and county attorney. His grandfather helped form the Eisenhower Foundation, which remains active today. Hank Royer serves on the foundation. He also has been active in the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the Abilene Economic Development Council.
“It stuck with me all these years,” Royer said, adding that he hoped that message would be carried on to today’s young professionals.
Commissioner Brenda Finn Bowers also thanked Royer, noting that he had been an active member of Hospice for 24 years. Royer said that while he was retiring from the economic development council, he planned to continue an active law practice, saying it was an honor to continue to represent local businesses.
Northeast drainage
The commission discussed a long-standing drainage issue in northeast Abilene and agreed to a cooperative agreement with a Fort Worth, Texas engineering firm to develop a plan that could benefit a sizable corridor. City manager Allen Dinkel said the northeast drainage area was discussed during a recent work session.
Abilene Centre developer Dan Hopkins, Dallas, approached the commission about a cooperative plan Dinkel, who has been city manager the past two years, said the drainage issue has been discussed numerous times since he has been here and many times prior to his arrival.
New developments require plans that do not allow the drainage to flow any faster than what is already occurring, official said. Abilene Centre is a 10-acre tract located on the former site of Priem’s Pride, which is south of ALCO, 1900 N. Buckeye.
Hopkins said while he could develop a plan that controls the rate of discharge off his property, it does not help others. He thought it might be a good opportunity to consider a drainage detention pond that not only would help his property but for a larger area, too. He estimated a detention pond on his property would need to be about 13,000 square feet. A detention pond that could help the entire area would need to be about 90,000 square feet.
“I applaud you for coming forward,” said commissioner Dennis Weishaar. “For us to ignore it is not the right step.”
Commissioner Brenda Finn Bowers voted against the action. She did not think city engineer John Gough had enough notice to prepare for the work session although Dinkel said he personally contacted Gough, who attended that work session. The work is expected to be discussed at a future work session. The comisioner also said she was uncmofrtable with the city paying for 80 percent of the engineering costs.
Commissioner Lynn Peterson said the drainage issue has been one that the city and residents in that area have been wanting to find a solution, too. It made sense to look at a regional detention pond because Hopkins’ 10-acre tract is not developed.
“I would be in favor of proceeding at this time,” Peterson said.
The commission agreed to a cooperative agreement with Goodwin and Marshall Inc. The $45,100 will be cost-shared with the city. Eighty percent of the costs will be paid by the city and the remainder by Hopkins’ development company.
Comments
Dinkel said the commission will have a work session at 7 a.m. Tuesday in the commissioners’ study room in the City Building, 419 N. Broadway.
Dinkel noted the recently completed county tax sale and eight properties were sold for delinquent tax purposes. One of the properties sold exceeded the taxes owed. The other seven parcels sold for $6,325, he stated in a written report to the commission. The taxed owed totaled $40,126.32 and the city will receive about a seventh of the amount of delinquent taxes owed on the properties.
The city manager thanked the Dickinson County Commission and staff for moving ahead with the sale.
Miller thanked the volunteers who had helped with improvements at the T.C. Henry Barn in Old Abilene Town.
In other action, the commission:
• Set 4 p.m. Aug. 9 for the public hearing for the 2011 budget, which is estimated at $16.77 million. The proposed budget has a mill levy of 34.109 mills, which is 0.655 higher than the current year, said finance director Eddie Balluch. Anyone who has questions about the budget may contact Balluch at the city office.
• Approved a consent agenda that included July 12 meeting minutes, payroll of $143,119.74 and bills of $173,853.98. The commission removed a $4,000 bill that was tied to concrete work at the public library.
• Approved a charter ordinance related to the imposition and collection of municipal court costs and related fees. The charter ordinance will be published in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle for two successive weeks and will not become effective until 60 days afters its final publication; provided that a petition is not signed by a number of electors equal to at least 10 percent of the number who voters who cast ballots in the last regular city election. A petition would need to be filed with the city clerk asking that the ordinance be submitted to the vote.
If the ordinance is passed it will allow the city commission to approve changes related to municipal courts and related fees to be approved by resolution.
Abilene attorney Robert H. “Hank” Royer Jr., who was a member of the council for 24 years before he retired in June, was recognized by city commissioners for his work on behalf of the community. Abilene mayor Diane Miller presented Royer with a plaque and read an inscription that was inspired by Winston Churchill about the importance of giving back.
“Thank you very much,”Royer said.
The attorney remembered a conversation he had with his grandfather and Henry Jameson, former editor-publisher of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. The conversation was brief, but it talked about the need for business leaders to step up and take on civic responsibility and volunteer to help make the community a better place to live.
Royer said his grandfather embraced the message. He was a former city attorney and county attorney. His grandfather helped form the Eisenhower Foundation, which remains active today. Hank Royer serves on the foundation. He also has been active in the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the Abilene Economic Development Council.
“It stuck with me all these years,” Royer said, adding that he hoped that message would be carried on to today’s young professionals.
Commissioner Brenda Finn Bowers also thanked Royer, noting that he had been an active member of Hospice for 24 years. Royer said that while he was retiring from the economic development council, he planned to continue an active law practice, saying it was an honor to continue to represent local businesses.
Northeast drainage
The commission discussed a long-standing drainage issue in northeast Abilene and agreed to a cooperative agreement with a Fort Worth, Texas engineering firm to develop a plan that could benefit a sizable corridor. City manager Allen Dinkel said the northeast drainage area was discussed during a recent work session.
Abilene Centre developer Dan Hopkins, Dallas, approached the commission about a cooperative plan Dinkel, who has been city manager the past two years, said the drainage issue has been discussed numerous times since he has been here and many times prior to his arrival.
New developments require plans that do not allow the drainage to flow any faster than what is already occurring, official said. Abilene Centre is a 10-acre tract located on the former site of Priem’s Pride, which is south of ALCO, 1900 N. Buckeye.
Hopkins said while he could develop a plan that controls the rate of discharge off his property, it does not help others. He thought it might be a good opportunity to consider a drainage detention pond that not only would help his property but for a larger area, too. He estimated a detention pond on his property would need to be about 13,000 square feet. A detention pond that could help the entire area would need to be about 90,000 square feet.
“I applaud you for coming forward,” said commissioner Dennis Weishaar. “For us to ignore it is not the right step.”
Commissioner Brenda Finn Bowers voted against the action. She did not think city engineer John Gough had enough notice to prepare for the work session although Dinkel said he personally contacted Gough, who attended that work session. The work is expected to be discussed at a future work session. The comisioner also said she was uncmofrtable with the city paying for 80 percent of the engineering costs.
Commissioner Lynn Peterson said the drainage issue has been one that the city and residents in that area have been wanting to find a solution, too. It made sense to look at a regional detention pond because Hopkins’ 10-acre tract is not developed.
“I would be in favor of proceeding at this time,” Peterson said.
The commission agreed to a cooperative agreement with Goodwin and Marshall Inc. The $45,100 will be cost-shared with the city. Eighty percent of the costs will be paid by the city and the remainder by Hopkins’ development company.
Comments
Dinkel said the commission will have a work session at 7 a.m. Tuesday in the commissioners’ study room in the City Building, 419 N. Broadway.
Dinkel noted the recently completed county tax sale and eight properties were sold for delinquent tax purposes. One of the properties sold exceeded the taxes owed. The other seven parcels sold for $6,325, he stated in a written report to the commission. The taxed owed totaled $40,126.32 and the city will receive about a seventh of the amount of delinquent taxes owed on the properties.
The city manager thanked the Dickinson County Commission and staff for moving ahead with the sale.
Miller thanked the volunteers who had helped with improvements at the T.C. Henry Barn in Old Abilene Town.
In other action, the commission:
• Set 4 p.m. Aug. 9 for the public hearing for the 2011 budget, which is estimated at $16.77 million. The proposed budget has a mill levy of 34.109 mills, which is 0.655 higher than the current year, said finance director Eddie Balluch. Anyone who has questions about the budget may contact Balluch at the city office.
• Approved a consent agenda that included July 12 meeting minutes, payroll of $143,119.74 and bills of $173,853.98. The commission removed a $4,000 bill that was tied to concrete work at the public library.
• Approved a charter ordinance related to the imposition and collection of municipal court costs and related fees. The charter ordinance will be published in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle for two successive weeks and will not become effective until 60 days afters its final publication; provided that a petition is not signed by a number of electors equal to at least 10 percent of the number who voters who cast ballots in the last regular city election. A petition would need to be filed with the city clerk asking that the ordinance be submitted to the vote.
If the ordinance is passed it will allow the city commission to approve changes related to municipal courts and related fees to be approved by resolution.