Utility Extension to Blocks 143-144

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" July 21, 1986 ~ . . . TO: La Porte City Council FROM: Alan T. Ward RE: utility Extension to Blocks 143-144 Mr. Decker McKim and Mr. Emery Farkas, as owners of the above property, and Mr. and Mrs. James L. HOlloway, as prospective purchasers of the property, have requested that I gather ,information for them and for the City of La Porte regarding the development into a plant nursery of the above referenced blocks and to assist them in their request to the City of La Porte for City participation in the utility extension to the subject tract. . I have investigated costs of acquisition of City water to this tract and have furnished my information to Mr. Pat O'Malley of the City of La Porte. Much of this information is furnished in the Community Development report with the exception that a third alternative water source would be to extend water from the southwest corner of the Joe Camp Ford property underneath State Highway 146 to the northeast corner of Block 143. An eight-inch water line in a twelve-inch sleeve including blow off valve and fire hydrant assembly, according to McKey Construction, can be installed at a cost"of $17,500 plus State permit fee. Following is some information that I would like to bring to the attention of the City Council that may help you in determining your position in this matter. As you are probably aware, the operators of the Greenhouse Nursery are going out of business within the next few weeks. With their assistance, a request was made to the Texas State Comptroller's office that we be furnished with records of payment of City sales taxes to the City of La Porte for the years 1983, 1984 and 1985. The State Comptroller's office furnished the attached figures which total $6,493.27 for that three-year period. In addition to this, the City of La Porte tax department records indicate that $648.74 was paid to the City for personal property tax during those three years. The owners of the Greenhouse property report that they have solicited some prospective plant nursery businesses but have had no interest to date. When questioned about the status of the existing improvements on the Greenhouse property, the owners stated that some possibility exists that they will be removed in the future. The La Porte City tax on the improvements is $610.60 per year, based on it present value of $86,000. I feel that based on the present economy in this part of our State, it is the duty and responsibility of local developers and City officials to be more creative and aggressive in bringing new bu~iness to our community.