During tonight’s meeting, the Bellaire City Council approved 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. Council then postponed action on the memorandum of understanding to receive the donation during its meeting on Dec. 6.
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.
Approval of the memorandum of understanding was postponed during the Dec. 6 meeting because council still had questions for the Rubenstein’s attorney.
The Rubenstein’s attorney met with council tonight in a closed executive session. No action was taken when council reconvened into an open session.
Council unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding with two amendments during its regular session.
Councilmember Mandy Nathan expressed concern during the Dec. 6 meeting about the timelines set forth in the agreement.
“I still have concerns,” Nathan said. “The possibility of raising $4 or $5 million in two years seems like a tall order.”
The memorandum of understanding stated that all parties will have agreed upon and completed a park design within one year from the date of the deed, obtained commitments to fund the improvements within two years and complete the improvements within three years.
Prior to tonight’s approval of the agreement, the memorandum of understanding stated that if any of the conditions had not been complied with and satisfied, the Reconveyance Deed “will be recorded by Donor, after which the ownership of the Property shall be vested in Donor and Donor shall have the right to use the Property for any legal purpose, free of any conditions or restrictions relating to park or public use.”
Council approved an amendment to the agreement that said “the Reconveyance Deed may be recorded by Donor, after which the ownership of the Property shall be vested in Donor and Donor shall have the right to use the Property for any legal purpose, free of any conditions or restrictions relating to park or public use.”
Councilmember Corbett Parker and Mayor Cindy Siegel thanked the Rubenstein’s for their donation, following its discussion of the agenda item.
“Thank you to the Rubenstein family for their patience,” Siegel said.
Council may approve a formal agreement and the conveyance deed in January.
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