Quarquay council approves roller-rink permit, appoints library member, awards concrete contract and clears invoices

Crockett ' The Quarquay City Council handled a cluster of routine business Oct. 2, 2023, approving a special-use permit for a downtown roller-skating rink, appointing a library-board member, awarding a municipal construction services contract, and authorizing payment of invoices from the local economic development corporation with follow-up on one billing dispute.

Specific-use permit: The council opened a public hearing on a specific-use permit filed by Juanita Sprout (the record also includes the variant spelling "Stout") to operate a second-floor roller-skating rink and arcade at the commercial building at the northeast corner of E. Houston Ave and N. Phil St (500 E. Houston Ave; Houston County parcel 16010). Staff said the planning commission recommended approval contingent on the applicant meeting all code requirements and that the permit would be effective only if the applicant purchases the property. One nearby property owner spoke in favor during the hearing; no members of the public spoke in opposition. A council motion to approve, with the stated conditions, was moved, seconded and carried.

Library appointment: Council considered a staff recommendation to fill a vacancy on the Library Advisory Board after the resignation of Mike Maiden. Staff recommended Jeff Dorst (the record also uses the spelling Darst in one place) and a motion to appoint him carried.

Construction services award: Staff reported they received one sealed bid for annual concrete construction services from Velasquez Brothers Construction, who previously completed local projects including the MLK Pavilion and curb-and-gutter work. The council voted to award the contract to Velasquez Brothers Construction.

Invoices and lease question: Council discussed payment of invoices from the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation, including an invoice for $1,900 tied to fire-alarm service for a college building. Council members debated whether the tenant or building occupant should share the charge; staff will revisit the lease terms and bring a recommendation to a future meeting. Meanwhile the council authorized payment of invoices with that lease item to be reviewed separately.

Votes and process notes: Most recorded approvals were made by motion with a simple "all in favor; motion carries" recorded in the transcript; no roll-call tallies were recorded. Several procedural clarifications were requested during the public-hearing discussion, including an accessibility question from a resident about second-floor wheelchair access for the proposed roller rink (staff indicated code compliance would be required).