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Manvel voters veto City Hall, library
Published November 4, 2009
MANVEL — Although council members said they don’t have enough room to breathe at City Hall, voters decided overwhelmingly Tuesday it probably was time just to open some windows.
Manvel residents voted against a $2.5 million bond proposed to pay for a new city hall and turn the current one into a library. The bond measure failed by a vote of 393, or 62 percent, against with 237 people, or 37 percent, in favor, according to unofficial results. In early voting, 185 voted against to 141 for.
There are 2,846 registered voters in Manvel. Council members hoped to see a new city hall built beside the existing 1,600-square-foot facility at 6615 FM 1128. The current building would have been renovated into a 4,000-square-foot library.
Mayor Dolores Martin was disappointed in Tuesday’s results.
“It may have been bad timing with the economy the way it is, but interest rates are probably the lowest they’re ever going to be,” Martin said. “I thought we had done a better job of presenting it, but I guess not.”
Martin might ask voters to consider the bond again, she said. Until then, city employees and officials will work within their small quarters.
“We’ll try to convince Manvel residents it’s a good thing,” Martin said.
The longer the city waits to build a new city hall, the more expensive it will be, she said.
“I will fight for what I believe is right for the city of Manvel,” she said. “We’ll just have to fight harder next time.”
Resident Jimmie Del Bello opposed the measure. He said he plans to ask the city to make it illegal for council to issue certificates of obligation, which don’t require voter approval, unless declaring an emergency need.
“I didn’t think it was time for it, and I’m glad the people thought the same,” Del Bello said. “The main thing I’m glad about is the people got to vote on it. I would have accepted it if the people had voted for it.”
U.S. Census estimates show Manvel’s population has almost doubled to about 6,057 people in 2008, compared with 3,046 people in 2000. But growth has slowed, he said, and the city can add onto the current municipal building for about $200,000.
“They could do it in a couple of months by just adding on to meet their needs,” Del Bello said. “There’s no new development, and it might not take off again. It’s just not time to do it.”
Katlynn Lanham and John Lowman are reporters for The Facts. Contact them at 979-265-7411.
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