Chandler approves funding construction of senior community
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

The City of Chandler has decided to proceed with funding to Solutions Plus for the construction of Silverleaf at Chandler. Silverleaf will be an 80- unit housing development for seniors with limited income.

The complex will be located at 801 FM 2010 in Chandler. Funding for the development will be a five percent loan for the total cost of the project. The money loaned by the city for construction is not to exceed $400,000.

According to the City of Chandler's city council meeting agenda from February 12, the night the city approved the funding, the money "will be paid back the latter of one year or `Certificate of Placement in Service' from the date of the close of the partnership."

Joel Irwin, chair of the Chandler Economic Developments board, said he and the board believed Silverleaf to be a worthwhile project.

"This will have a lot of pluses for the city," Irwin said.

Jim Moffeit, city administrator, said the community, restricted to people age 55 and over, will be put on the tax roll appraised at $2-4 million.

"It will certainly be a plus to the senior citizens with limited income," Moffeit said. "And it'll create at least five or six new jobs."

Silverleaf's approval was not the only action affecting FM 2010. Chandler also approved a motion to extend the water mains on FM 315 and 2010, and approved engineering fees related to this action. Up to 2,200 feet of 6-inch water main with four hydrants will be added.

The city council also approved amending the Chandler annual budget for the 2007- 2008 fiscal year.

Moffeit said it was unfortunate the city received so much heavy rainfall on the area as the water negatively affected sewers and caused problems with the city streets.

Much of the amended budget reflects the water and sewer issues. Moffeit also said $7,500 would go towards demolishing decrepit buildings in Chandler.

Despite the need to amend the budget, Chandler's financial situation was declared acceptable in regards to the audit report presented that night.

The report stated financially, Chandler had an excellent year and performed an admirable job pushing through the wet summer. Total net assets went from a little over $6 million to over $6.4 million.

The board went through several other points before the meeting's end, with much of the remaining time spent talking about the upcoming May 10 elections.

As required by the state of Texas, Chandler issued an election order for May 10, with Chandler City Hall designated as the early voting polling place, and the Community Center as the Election Day polling place. Early voting will be on May 5 and 6 from 7 am to 7 pm. The city approved leasing eSlate R 3.1.3 Direct Recording Election Voting Systems from Henderson County to function as the voting machines. The city also approved a presiding and alternate presiding election judge for Election Day, as well as two clerks.

In addition to all this, Chandler approved an ordinance regarding a petition by Oncor Electric Deliver Company requesting to change out all the mercury lights used by the city and replace them with lower wattage bulbs. This will be performed as the mercury lights burn out.