Wednesday's Internet Edition, September 08, 2010.
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| A "first" for Van Horn.... No, it’s not the El Capitan Hotel. But it is what is on top of the hotel. That’s right, you’re looking at Van Horn’s first “elevator” to be installed in a commercial building. The elevator will be used, when finished, to transport guests of the hotel to the various floors. The workman who have been installing the elevator include Andy Dominguez, Tony Rocha, Ray Barrera, and Jaime Trevisio. “We can’t wait to see it in operation in the El Capitan.” |
- Culberson County Commissioners met Monday morning and learned that the Sheriff has been awarded an additional $170,000 from the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and that he intends to pursue two other grants.
Sheriff Carrillo told commissioners that he had received notice of the additional funding from the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and that the funding needs to be expended by an August 15, 2009 deadline.
Carrillo told commissioners that he intends to spend the money on overtime for his deputies as well as purchasing needed new equipment. With these additional funds, the sheriff’s department has been awarded a total of $303,881.30 for this funding cycle.
Carrillo also told commissioners that he intends to pursue two other grant programs. One is a Rural Law Enforcement Grant and the other is a COPS Grant.
According to Carrillo, the Rural Law Enforcement grant would allow him to hire up to 3 officers and dedicate them to local drug interdiction operations.
The COPS grant, according to Carrillo, would also allow him to hire new officers, with 100% funding, and it would permit him to pay up to $75,000 per deputy for training, uniforms, vehicles and salary.
And, Carrillo added, there is a good possibility that our department is going to be designated as a Regional Training Hub because of our central location in the region as well as our having certified instructors. If this happens, Carrillo noted, we’ll be an adjunct of the El Paso Sheriff’s training effort.
And, while Carrillo had the attention of commissioners, he also addressed the hospital bills for medical certification of MHMR patients before they are transported to Big Spring. Commissioners asked him to talk to the hospital about the situation as well as Big Spring to see exactly what they are requiring.
Sheriff Carrillo was also granted permission to proceed with the disposition of surplus vehicles within his department.
And, Carrillo asked for permission to construct and erect a security fence behind the jail which will take in the inmate recreation area. Commissioners approved his request.
With regard to other agenda items considered by commissioners during the Monday meeting, the following action was taken:
* They approved the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant for the Youth Activity Center, Phase II.
* Commissioners, in conjunction with the Community Development Block Grant for the Youth Activity Center, Phase III, approved a Proclamation naming April as Fair Housing Month in Van Horn. They also learned that this grant project was in the design phase.
* Commissioners also learned from Becky Brewster that the Texas Department of Transportation has approved the design for the Border Colonia initiative here. She expects to go out for bids within a couple of weeks.
* And, Brewster asked commissioners if they would like to submit an application for the 2009/2010 HOME Program grant. She noted that the city had done so and had already approved assistance with the local cash match.
Commissioners voted unanimously to submit an application in the amount of $375,000 for a HOME Program grant which also carries with it $15,000 for administration. Commissioners also approved the $19,500 cash or in kind match required for the grant.
* Commissioners, following review of the audit report for the fiscal year ended September, 2008, accepted the report as presented. Commissioner Lyndon McDonald did stress that the recommendations of the audit be adhered to. Auditor Mark Cabezuela and Treasurer Susie Hinojos reported that most are already in place.
Judge Molinar said, “I’m extremely proud that the report shows we are in good financial shape with little to no debt.”
* AgriLife Extension Agent Elaine Koch presented her monthly report to commissioners which they accepted.
* Commissioners accepted the continuing education hours as submitted by the County Clerk and then granted her request for use of the City-County Park so that Quinto Sol could host their Cinco de Mayo celebration.
* Tax Assessor/Collector Molly Hernandez appeared before the court asking that $15,124 be transferred back into her account since the amount had been paid to the county twice. Commissioners agreed to the transfer after verifying it with Treasurer Susie Hinojos.
At the same time, Hernandez presented the 2-year contract renewal with Pritchard & Abbott for appraisals. She did note that the fees are going up. Commissioners approved the renewal contract.
* John Jones, representing the Chihuahuan Desert RC&D, came before commissioners to say that the recent tire project had been successful. The contractor has already removed 2 loads of tires and has 2 more loads to get. The money should be forthcoming from the Chihuahuan Desert RC&D and the Rio Grande Council of Governments in the near future.
* After discussion, commissioners unanimously passed an order prohibiting the county’s hauling of dirt for private property use.
* And, commissioners approved a $12,000 contract with the firm of Allison, Bass & Associates to complete work on redistricting the county. They have already done the preliminary work on this project.
* At the request of County Judge Molinar, commissioners approved paying the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator $50 a month for cell phone use.
* After naming May 1st as the date for county offices to get their preliminary budget requests in for the next fiscal year, Judge Molinar emphasized that next year might just be the time to get some items which the county has held off on for a long time.
* After naming Manuel Carrillo as the person responsible for the one Gas Kard the county has, commissioners named Auditor Mark Cabezuela as the back up person to be responsible.
* Commissioners approved a budget amendment for Constable, Precinct 2 fuel to get it out of the red and then commissioners said for the Constable to park the vehicle until he comes to talk to them.
* After approving the submitted monthly reports, commissioners proceeded to approve monthly bills and payrolls amounting to $393,294.22. Of that sum, $229,912.04 was for payrolls and $163,382.18 was for bills.
Cleanup details told for next week's big event
The Annual Van Horn Cleanup Day has been set for April 25 and this year, the event offers clubs and non-profit organizations an opportunity to make difference for the community while earning some much needed prize money. In fact, this year’s event will offer two opportunities for local groups to earn and/or win money for their activity or scholarship funds.
The first opportunity is in the yearly bulk waste collection event where the community is given an opportunity to get rid of those old refrigerators, limb piles, discarded furniture and other bulk debris. In this event, local organizations are given the opportunity to compete against each other to see who can eliminate the most bulk waste by weight. Rollo-off garbage containers will be set up next to the truck scales across the street from G&M Video where the waste will be weighed and then discarded. The group that turns in the most bulk waste will receive the $500 prize money with second and third places receiving 300 and 200 dollars respectively.
The bulk collection event will begin with a group check-in at 8:30 at the scales and the collection will last until 1:00 pm, at which time the contest portion of the event will come to a close. The roll-off containers will remain in place all weekend for anyone else who has bulk disposal needs. Tires will not be allowed for the bulk cleanup event, but old car batteries will be accepted.
The second opportunity for local clubs to earn cash will come in the city-wide trash cleanup that will begin on the 25th and run for an entire month until the 25th of May. In this event, local clubs and organizations will receive assigned cleanup areas along major streets in town. Once the club cleans up their area and provides verification of the cleanup effort, then the city will reward them with a check for $200 as a small thank you. Though the city knows, from past experience, that each club is willing to do their part for the community cleanup effort, it’s always nice to receive a little something as a token of the community’s appreciation.
Clubs and organizations will receive their letters of assignment sometime at the first of next week and have until the May 25th deadline to do their assigned cleanup area in order to receive their thank you money. They may do their cleanup on the day of the April 25th cleanup event, but are encouraged to make the arrangements that best fit their meeting schedule and to allow their members who might be a part of two different groups to coordinate their cleanup times.
For more information, groups are encouraged to call cleanup event coordinators Grace Marta or Jeff McCoy at 283-2735, or 283-7494 respectively.