The Mineola City Council discussed at length a proposal last Thursday to have a National Fitness Campaign-sponsored (NFC) outdoor fitness court installed in the city. The city looked at the idea a few years ago, but did not pursue it at the time. 

Among key factors would be where to locate it. Possibilities include the Mineola Civic Center and the Mineola Nature Preserve. The council agreed that more discussion needs to be pursued with the civic center before they make a discussion. The civic center is a private non-profit entity and not a city facility. City Manager Cindy Karch said that if the court is located at the civic center, it would become civic center property. She suggested the city could kick in a small sum annually to assist with maintenance, which she described as minimal.

Other decisions to be determined should the fitness court be pursued include how to fund its cost above the grant the city can obtain from NFC, and what size to build it. The cost ranges from $120,000 to $270,000. The grant could be for $30,000 to $60,000. Karch said the city would seek to raise the funds and not use tax dollars.

The council also agreed to close the Mineola Nature Preserve Feb. 5-7 in advance of the annual Kid Fish event, which is hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife. The event will be Saturday, Feb. 7, but Karch said the trout will be stocked on Feb. 5. The city wants to avoid anglers taking fish from the pond ahead of the event and also allow city staff to accomplish some maintenance and cleanup prior to the event without having to work around patrons.

Three property matters were approved: a replat in the 400 block of McDaniel from four lots to eight lots for townhomes, a replat in the 700 block of Greenville (old club lake property) for construction of quadplexes and the accepting of a $10,000 bid from Jerry Gaskill for tax sale property at 707 University.

A home burned on that property several years ago, and the city spent $18,000 to clean it up and get it back on the tax roll.