Wednesday's Internet Edition, September 08, 2010.
|
|
|
- Van Horn City Council members, during their meeting Tuesday evening, agreed to utilize the services of GrantWorks to complete the 2008 CDBG Water Improvements Project grant.
According to Mayor Ben Flanagan, no reports have been filed on this grant project and no draw requests have been made and the deadline for finishing the $257,000 project is drawing nearer.
Jerry Carbajal, representing GrantWorks Alpine office, was on hand to explain that his firm is willing to assist the city so that it gets into compliance with the grant. Mayor Flanagan told Carbajal that the city would pay GrantWorks the administrative fee of $5,000 if they help.
Carbajal told council members that he would be back in Van Horn next Monday to begin working on the project,
Council members also discussed a new trash truck and finally decided to solicit bids for a new trash truck. Mayor Ben Flanagan to council that the city would be able to pay for the truck with added revenue already coming in from the sale of water to Hudspeth County. He noted that all last year, the city had received $17,000 for the sale of water and already this year, the amount is over $9,000.
After discussion, council voted unanimously to solicit bids for a new trash truck.
Director of Municipal Services Israel Borrego reported that he had spoken with C and C Construction about the possibility of paving the road leading to the golf course. They submitted a bid for $32,200 +/- to pave the road.
Borrego noted that the county has agreed to assist with the caliche preparation work.
Mayor Flanagan noted that in order to pay for this work, the city can utilize some un-budgeted funds sitting in an escrow account that amount to slightly over $41,000.
After discussion, council voted to have the C & C Construction subsidiary perform the paving work. They will do the work when they are in town doing the Border Colonia street paving job for the county.
And, the city agreed to try to do the cart path for one hole and see if it works.
What they plan to do is cover the path with a liner, lay rock they already have and pour cement on the rock to hold the rock in place. If that works, they’ll do all the cart paths instead of paying a paver to do them.
With regard to other agenda items which council deliberated on, the following actions were taken:
* Council unanimously agreed to dissolve the existing Golf Course Board, the existing Golf Course Association, and ordered that the checkbook and money, approximately $7,900, be turned over to Alderman Morales.
* Council members, noting that the effective tax rate had been published, proceeded to set the tax rate at the rate published. That rate is .53102 cents per $100 of valuation, and represents a very slight decrease from last year.
At the same time, they adopted an ordinance setting forth the tax rate for this year.
* At the request of Mayor Flanagan, council members adopted a resolution to apply to the Rio Grande Council of Governments for a Solid Waste Grant. It is hoped that the grant would get the city a vehicle and trailer to collect old tires.
* They approved adding Alderman Morales as a signatory for city checking accounts and require 2 signatures on checks.
* Council approved overtime pay for city staffers who work the forthcoming golf tournament on August 15th and 16th.
* Council members approved payment of funds to the Clark Hotel Historical Museum in 4 quarterly installments of $5,000 each. The money has already been budgeted.
* Council received a bid in the amount of $23,900 to repair or replace the 50’ x 60’ roof over the old utility building, housing the water system.
Council members instructed City Administrator Fran Malafronte to see if she could find some money to do this project.
* Council met with Van Horn Economic Development Corporation members who said they needed some direction. A meeting has been set for next Thursday, August 13th at 6 p.m. to discuss where the Corporation goes from here.
* Council approved some $9,000 for fire hydrant repairs within the city. The list of hydrants needing repair has been compiled by the Volunteer Fire Department.
* Council approved a .25 cent an hour raise for Grace Marta because she has now received certification as a Municipal Court Clerk.
* Israel Borrego, Director of Municipal Services reported on his efforts at improving the looks of the city by talking with code enforcement violators. He suggested that they have agreed to get on board with the city’s efforts at cleaning up and will do their part.
* And, council members talked about the growing problem of graffetti on buildings and vehicles. They will look at possible solutions to this growing problem.
They also approved having Moises Badillo perform Phase II work at the golf course.
* And, following an executive session to discuss personnel, council reconvened and voted unanimously to accept the resignations of Efrain Hinojos as Fire Chief, Larry Simpson as a board member of the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation, and Jeff McCoy as City Grant Writer.
At the same time, council members agreed to advertise for the position of EDC director/Grant Writer.
Before concluding the meeting, Mayor Ben Flanagan extended his thanks, on behalf of council, to Simpson for all his efforts on behalf of economic development for the town.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
August 6th - Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are scheduled to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse.
August 7th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
August 8th - The Van Horn Lady Eagle volleyball teams are slated to scrimmage Ft. Stockton today in Ft. Stockton.
August 9th - Attend the church of your choice.
August 10th - Culberson County Commissioners are slated to meet this morning at 10 a.m. at the County Courthouse. Members of the Van Horn Lions Club are scheduled to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
August 11th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Lady Eagles volleyball teams are slated to scrimmage Ft. Davis here today beginning at 1 p.m.
August 12th - Nothing scheduled at press time.