The Jan. 26 regular Mesquite City Council meeting was relatively short with only two main items on the agenda regarding the Solstice Motor Coach Resort.

The council voted unanimously on both items releasing parts of a development agreement the city had made with Barcelona Partners in 2007 so that a new owner, William H. Takahashi Jr., can proceed with purchase of 30 acres on which the motor coach resort is located and develop it further.

Takahashi intends to use the original development standards approved for the resort area.

Several council members and the city attorney made it clear that the release does not affect the city’s stake in recovering monies due the city under financial agreements made with Barcelona. However, Councilman George Rapson pointed out that the chances of the city recovering any money, especially a $2.5 million loan made with Barcelona to build a road to the resort, are “slim and none. Slim left the room.”

In other business for the council, it was entertaining night and filled with Mesquite youth. Councilman Rich Green, in partnership with the Citizens for Clean Indoor Air, presented awards to 20 local students for their art and essays submitted in October on the importance of clean indoor air.

“This has to be the fullest council chamber I have seen in years,” commented Mayor Al Litman.

Another group of local students then took the floor as the Harmonic Strings Chamber, a small string orchestra group established in December, performed three of their songs.

“Our mission is to encourage middle and high school orchestra students to share and expand their talents in music by performing throughout the community,” said Abbey Snow, coordinator for the group. According to their flier, they are available for all types of occasions. For more information, email harmonicstringschamber@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

After the performance, Mayor Litman commented that this meeting was one of the better ones, and that he was very proud of the talent that the community has, especially in the youth here.