Laird Memorial Hospital bonds to be paid by city
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

The city, with money from the Annie B. Laird Trust, will pay off $2.8 million owed on bonds sold by Laird Memorial Hospital.

The bonds were issued when the city owned the facility.

City council voted last night to use money from the city's general fund to pay the $2.8 million balance in tax-exempt bonds issued in previous years. The city will achieve full payment over 10-year term by way of an escrow account.

Annie B. Laird Trust monies will be used to reimburse the city for payments made into the account.

Payment of these bonds became mandatory when city council approved the lease of a portion of the former hospital facilities to Allegiance Health Management, because the bonds were only valid for a non-profit entity such as the city. Allegiance is a for-profit company.

In other business, council heard grievances from 14 residents of Springtree Addition concerning neighborhood nuisances since Phase II development began in September of 2006.

Residents initially opposed the developer's plans for smaller homes on smaller lots and the lack of communication LGDC, Longview developer, has had with homeowners. Council enforced deed restrictions, appeasing residents briefly, until problems occurred with the subdivision plat. That was approved to avoid lawsuit, but repealed for corrections.

Residents are coming forward now to complain about trash and standing water which has plagued the community since clearing of lots started.

Dale Sistrunk, Springtree Homeowners Association president, said the city is not doing enough to fix the problems in the subdivision.

Jeff Howell, city manager, said Sistrunk would like to paint a picture that the city is doing nothing to help Springtree residents, when the city is actually exploring any legal options to resolve problems.

Crews showed up Monday to begin clean up in the subdivision. Howell said earlier efforts had been delayed because of heavy rainfall and most recently the hail storm.

Other problems in the development have been repaired. A retaining wall that did not meet city code was reconstructed out of the city's budget, with an agreement that LGDC would repay that money when more lots were sold.

Council approved an agreement between the city and Tyler-based Traylor and Associates for management services for the 2007 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Grant. The grant, worth about $300,000, will allow five dilapidated homes to be reconstructed.

Council tabled action regarding right of way easements on Airport and Van Meter roads. Residents have been unresponsive to city requests for easements since Gregg County crews asphalted the roads and the city paid for surveying.

City Hall's façade is slated for improvements that include decorative poles, dark red painted mansard, signage and painting of aluminum windows.