San Benito to tear down old buildings

SAN BENITO - City commissioners voted to have three private property buildings destroyed at a cost of $7,300 to the city.

The contract was awarded to All Valley Contractors out of Weslaco. Public Safety Director Orlando Garcia said the bid was well under the city's budget of $15,000.

The properties, 537 Granjeno, 521 Morelos and 437 Yoakum roads, are some of the bigger sites the city wants demolished, Garcia said.

"We want to get rid of unsightly buildings," he said to the commission.

In a campaign to do away with buildings that aren't up to code, the city notified property owners and many have offered to take care of demolishing the building themselves. But others, Garcia said, have not responded to letters and so the city must handle the work itself.

Though the city is paying for the demolition, liens are placed on these properties so the city can eventually get paid.

Soon the city will be contacting the property owners, letting them know when the wrecking will take place. Already, though, the Yoakum Street owner has said he would pay the city for the demolition, Code Enforcement Officer John Rodriguez said.

In other city matters, the commission approved the Economic Development Corporation taking in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Intermediary Relending Program. The program is expected to help assist with financing businesses and economic development for jobs in the city.

Also, the city began picking up brush from Hurricane Dolly on Aug. 15. Brush pickup and construction debris are being collected separately, Garcia said. Every area - the city is broken up into four sections - is being passed by three times.

In other city matters, the commission voted to give Hector Jalomo an additional $3,000 a month for his work as interim city manager.