Council discuss manufactured homes within city limits

The Yoakum City Council discussed the placement of manufactured homes within the city limits at the Nov. 12 meeting.

“At a special City Council meeting, the council took action to put a moratorium for a six-month period while they reviewed the zoning ordinance and the zoning map,” Yoakum City Clerk Theresa Bowe said.

“So, staff was just asking direction on how council would like that formed and then we’ll probably be doing workshops to get some input from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Yoakum Economic Development Board and the Council.”

The council is still deliberating this.

There will be an opportunity to have public input as there will be a public hearing notice throughout this process according to Bowe.

The council also officially finalized a Downtown Business District Revitalization Grant in the amount of $100,000 to Navy Tang for her soonto-be restaurant, Navy’s Place. The money will be paid out in phases, rather than one-lump-sum at the completion of the project.

This is an expansion of an existing restaurant, Yk Deli, and will be located next door to that establishment.

“This is for the expansion of Navy Tang’s restaurant,” Yoakum Economic Development Corporation Director Genora Young said. “This will be a sitdown restaurant. What’s seen over the last several months is that she is losing a lot of business because she does not have enough seating in her current location. She generates anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000 in sales tax everyday for seven days a week. This is helping to fund the City and the Economic Development Corporation. Through expanding through her market research, she believes her sales tax will increase exponentially.”

The restaurant will cater more Asian food while Yk Deli next door will have more American food like sandwiches.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Council adopted a resolution authorizing credit cards for certain employees, primarily the new city manager and director of public works.

• Council adopted amendments to the City of Yoakum Personnel Manual.

• Council adopted an ordinance on first reading granting a change in zoning from residential to commercial on property on 410 W. Gonzales Street. It will be used for a mechanic shop.

• Council approved a request from the Yoakum Youth Football League for the use of City owned property. They will have a storage facility behind the Jamison Building.

• The FFA Agriculture Issues Team made a presentation to council regarding solar power.