City Council approves marketing grant, land donation in quick meeting

The Allen City Council finished Tuesday's meeting in a brisk 15 minutes, passing all items with one routine, unanimous vote. Funding for a new identification system at the library and a marketing grant for the Texas Stampede were included in the approved items.

Library to receive new identification system

The City Council approved a $100,231 contract with the Alpha Data Corporation for a new radio frequency identification system at the Allen Public Library. The system tracks library materials by scanning information stored on microchips in tags attached to them.

The city will pay $17,000 and use a $50,000 gift from the Eugene McDermott Foundation, a $13,000 gift from the Friends of the Allen Public Library and a $20,000 grant from Collin County to fund the new system, which will replace one that has been in place since February 2005.

According to the city, the current system provides inconsistent results and is difficult to repair because of the scarcity of parts. The checkpoint tags used with it are also no longer being made and are more expensive than those used with the new system, which will improve self-checkout services. The new system will also provide a more accurate count of library visitors.

Every library tag will have to be replaced for the new system to work, and that process is expected to take about three months. The contract includes the rental of a mobile conversation station for use in the transfer, as well as the installation of six tag readers, two security gates and two self-checkout stations.

Land donated for Stacy Road project

The City Council also approved the next step in the reconstruction and widening of Stacy Road by donating the deeds for two parcels of land along the roadway to the state. The land, which is needed to widen the roadway, will count as $73,000 toward the city's $89,000 share of right-of-way acquisition costs for the project. The city's remaining obligation has already been paid in cash.

The construction on Stacy, which is expected to begin in December 2014, will take place between Greenville Avenue and Angel Parkway. At build-out, the road is expected to be used by more than 50,000 vehicles per day, according to the city's thoroughfare plan.

Texas Stampede receives marketing grant

The city will provide a $125,000 grant for marketing and promotions for the Texas Stampede during the next three years. The funding, approved by the City Council on Tuesday, is half as much as the city provided for the event the previous three years.

The funding will come from the 7-percent tax levied on hotel room rentals in the city and is contingent on the Texas Stampede continuing to hold its annual rodeo and concert event at the Allen Events Center. The grant starts at $50,000 the first year and declines to $42,500 and $32,500 for the second and third years, respectively.

Golf course equipment rental agreement

The City Council also approved contracts with Austin Turf and Tractor and Professional Turf Products totaling $130,000 in annual payments for renting maintenance equipment for The Courses at Watters Creek. The approved lease will last 60 months.

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