The Mineola City Council agreed to proceed Monday with a memorandum of understanding with the Mineola Civic Center for the development of a dog park on civic center grounds.

Intern Mallori White developed plans for a dog park as part of her studies as a recreation administration major at Texas State University.

Once the council and civic center board come to an agreement on the MOU, a location for the park can be determined and fundraising begun.

The city would be responsible for financing the park, which White plans to seek from donors. Then the center would take over its maintenance.

Suggested locations include across the creek on the northwest corner of the property or closer to some pine trees.

In an unrelated matter, City Manager Mercy Rushing said the city is working on a plan to house the Mineola Soccer Association at the Mineola Nature Preserve.

The association has been playing games at the civic center but has been notified this will be its last season.

Rushing said she thinks the city can accommodate soccer fields in an area on the north side of the preserve and hopes to come back to the council with a plan in the next 3-5 months.

In other business the council agreed to refinance some of the city’s water obligation bonds at a lower interest rate for a savings of about $140,000 over the next several years.