During Monday’s meeting, the Bellaire City Council postponed action on the memorandum of understanding to receive the donation of the former Teas Nursery property.
Council met in a closed executive session on Nov. 29 to discuss a negotiated contract for a gift of property, Teas Nursery property, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., from the Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation.
The Teas family, which owned the Teas Nursery for nearly 100 years, announced in November of 2009 that it would close the business and sell the property. The Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation purchased the Teas property in December of 2009 with the intent to donate the property to the City of Bellaire. The property will be used as a conservancy, a public park and for public recreational purposes.
Council approved 5-to-2 to postpone the agenda item until a later date. Council members Andrew Friedberg and Will Hickman were opposed.
Councilmember James Avioli, Sr. asked to remove the item from the agenda because he had several questions that he wanted answered before council approved the memorandum of understanding.
“This is a wonderful gift that the Rubenstein’s are trying to give to the city, but there are some financial strains on the city,” Avioli said.
Councilmember Mandy Nathan agreed and said she would like to have her questions answered by the Rubenstein’s attorney before they move on.
Nathan said she has concerns about raising the total amount of money for the capital improvements for the park in two years, which the memorandum of understanding states.
“I still have concerns,” Nathan said. “The possibility of raising $4 or $5 million in two years seems like a tall order.”
It is unknown at this time how much money the city will need to spend on the park.
Hickman pointed out that the memorandum of understanding is not binding on either party until the formal agreement is prepared and executed by both parties.
“What does postponing get us?” Hickman said.
Mayor Cindy Siegel said postponing it would allow for clarification and would ensure that council’s questions would be answered by the Rubenstein’s attorney.
“We’re making this awfully hard for someone to give us a gift,” Friedberg said.
Councilmember Phil Nauert said council needs to make the effort to get this taken care of this month.
Council approved postponing the agenda item until a later date. It is unknown at this time when council will meet with the Rubenstein’s attorney.
robert riquelmy says
Now, perhaps Mayor Siegel will explain her ties to organized crime in connection with the towing proposal she forwarded to council.
Corbett Parker says
Mr. Riquelmy - You are entitled to your opinion, but not to libel our fine Mayor with knowingly false statements. Simple facts = The tow company approached the city with a proposal, the Mayor/City Manager agreed to put it on the agenda for Council to discuss, and Council voted for the city to go through the request for information process to better understand a potential additional revenue stream during tough economic times. To state the Mayor has ties to organized time is devoid of fact, and [along with your other petty comment of “CAUTION!…There is no telling what these nuts will do next!”] devalues you, your comments, and Bellaire public policy discussion.
robert riquelmy says
doing the bidding of these people is being associated. i will refrain from comments about your value.
robert riquelmy says
ah, the gallant mr parker! tell us, pray, what makes this mayor “fine.” have you compared notes with mr siegel, talked to mr johnson, perhaps you have prayed with the tolans? tell us pray, what makes this mayor so fine?