Council bans collection and donation facilities

The City of Mesquite has prohibited collection and donation boxes since 2004 without a city ordinance supporting the ban. The city council faced a difficult decision between two ordinances regarding donation and collection facilities on Monday at its regular meeting.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted, 6-1, with Terry Tosch dissenting, on June 8 in favor of a text amendment pertaining to the use, location and appearance of donation and collection facilities. The amendment would allow the facilities if certain restrictions were met.

The alternative ordinance, drafted by city staff members, expressly prohibited all donation and collection facilities.

“It’s been the city’s policy since 2004 to prohibit and control donation and collection facilities and boxes around the community,” Mesquite Director of Community Development Richard Gertson said.

The council voted 6-0 in favor of the alternative ordinance. Council member Stan Pickett was not present for the meeting.

First CDBG public hearing held

The City of Mesquite is scheduled to receive $920,698 in funding from the community development block grant program available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The purpose of the grant is to provide funds for programs and projects that primarily benefits low to moderate income individuals and neighborhoods,” said Shawna Gaston, CDGB coordinator for the city of Mesquite.

Dr. Scott Holder, director of operations of New Beginnings Center, a domestic violence support facility, addressed the council and asked that they continue to help fund a counselor at the Mesquite facility.

“This is an essential [domestic violence victim support] program. The money that is allocated through the CDBG pays for roughly 20 percent of that program. If that money were to go away we would not be able to necessarily ensure that we could keep that counselor here in the city, which is vital for victims to be able to receive needed services here versus placing another barrier for them to have to go outside of the city of Mesquite to receive services,” Holder said. “We do need these funds to be able to provide this service in the city of Mesquite.”

Under a proposed funding plan presented to council, the center is scheduled to receive $21,000.

Council selects new Mayor, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

The council voted, 6-0, to appoint Greg Noschese as mayor pro tem and Al Forsythe as deputy mayor pro tem for the period of one year.

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