City Council approved the demolition of buildings on four more properties at its regular March 31 meeting. In discussion on ongoing cleanup, properties such as the White Top Mo-tel demolition are going to cost taxpayers to clear.
In addition, a new owner of a previously substandard property is opening a bait shop on East Main Street.
The four new properties approved for demolition are: 714 N Riedel St., 117 S Riedel St.,136 S Riedel St., 143 S Riedel St., and 21105 N Mehnert St.
During the review of the substandard building progress sheet, the City Council discussed the cleanup status of several properties. They noted progress on 23 properties, with nine of them already cleaned up.
“The better news is eight were actually addressed by the owners,” Mayor Bill Baker said.
The City has informed the demolition contractor about the other properties requiring attention, particularly White Top, located at 436 East Main Street.
“We're going to spend some money when it comes time for White Top. It's real simple. There will be a stopping point for us because of budgetary reasons,” Mayor Baker said.
City Manager Michele Warwas and Mayor Baker plan to begin work on the 2026 budget. In the meantime, they intend to proceed with cleanup efforts in 2025 using the remaining funds, with plans to restart in October.
'Right now, we're still moving forward,' Mayor Baker declared. “Unfortunately, some of these have substantial delinquent property taxes,” he added.
One citizen, Jacob Engle, who had purchased one of the condemned properties on 614 East Main, approached the Council about the procedure to clean up and start a Bait Shop business. Mayor Baker offered assistance.
“We'll help order the dumpsters, things like that. We get a little better price on the dumpster than the public does. We want to pass that savings on to the public to help us clean things up,” Mayor Baker said.
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND TAX ABATEMENT FOR MCLAREN P, INC.
McLaren Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of rubber tracks, previously submitted two requests: one for a variance concerning a required fire sprinkler system and another for a tax abatement.
The proposed fire sprinkler system is designed to protect approximately 39,000 square feet of the building, which will store equipment attachments, rubber tracks, rubber loaders, and other similar items. According to inspectors, the estimated cost of the fire sprinkler system is between $340,000 and $350,000.
Mayor Baker discussed the fire safety concerns with Councilman Mike Rippamonti and consulted with experts about the potential consequences of a fire in the building.
Mayor Baker emphasized the risks. “If it catches fire and burns for a month, especially with a predominant north wind, we would have rubber smoke in our town for a month,” he said.
To ensure the best protection for the community, the Mayor recommended that McLaren Industries be required to install the sprinkler system. The Council denied the variance for the installation of a fire sprinkler system at 714 N. Riedel.
Regarding the tax abatement, the Council decided not to grant it. McLaren will function as a shipping point rather than a retail establishment. The tax abatement would not benefit Yorktown since no sales tax would be generated from employing four people. The city’s tax revenue would come from Mc-Laren’s real property taxes, which would amount to approximately $5,000.
Although there will be an increase in traffic, most of it will occur on FM 240 and Highway 72, which are maintained by the state.
“I don't consider four mid-level employees an adequate tradeoff. The only benefit to us is the real property taxes,” Mayor Baker said, recommending denying the tax abatement.
OTHER TOPICS
The city council officially ordered the cancellation of the city's special election to elect a council member in the May 3, election and approved a certificate of unopposed candidates.
The City Council approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on February 24, 2025. They authorized billing Rise Broadband for damages, materials, and other construction fees totaling $12,000.
Additionally, the Council discussed financial investments, the allocation of sales tax, and the potential expansion of an RV park using funds from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Public Works Director Travis Peyton and his crew have completed the concrete slab at the yard. City Manager Warwas has also posted new signage at all water and wastewater locations. Furthermore, the ground and elevated storage tanks have been inspected and cleaned.
The next regular Yorktown City Council meeting will be held on May 26, at Yorktown City Hall at 6 p.m.
