Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
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| Demolishing begins.... City workers began the process of demolishing this ‘unsafe building’ on Mesquite Street Tuesday. The debris will be removed to the dump facility in Sierra Blanca. You may have noticed the notices in the Advocate, which means that more are to follow in the days ahead. The city will take a lien against property they clear and that lien will have to be satisfied before the land sells. |
- Culberson County Commissioners met Monday evening and were confronted with a recent report on Nutrition Center activites conducted by the state on behalf of the Rio Grande Area Agency on the Aging (AAA).
In the report, it cited the number of non-eligible home delivered meals as a major problem, since the number submitted was based on estimation and self-report of the Nutrition Center director.
That error, along with one which did not contain allowable, eligible expenses of the Nutrition Center, was discussed with County Judge Molinar, Commissioner Lyndon McDonald, County Auditor Mark Cabezuela and Nutrition Center Director Hortencia Sanchez.
After resubmitting additional information, which included the utility expenses, insurance and facility rental, the Rio Grande AAA revised the report which ultimately reflected that the county had been overpaid for meals in Fiscal Year 2009 by some $15,606.85.
The report concluded by stating, “It is still the impression of this Monitoring activity that Culberson County Nutrition Center expenses were primarily affected by the number of non-eligible meals served rather that the total amount of disallowed costs in raw foods.”
After reviewing the report, commissioners heard their outside auditor, Rick Knapp, tell them that “since it’s inception, the Nutrition Center has cost the county nearly $227,000 and that most of that was for meals being provided for which no AAA payment was received.”
Commissioners acknowledged the shortfall and took the appropriate action to erase the shortfall in the audit. They formally approved a line item transfer to zero out the Nutrition Center shortfall of nearly $227,000.
At the same time, commissioners approved the reimbursement to the Rio Grande AAA in the amount of $15,606.85, taking the money from the Commissioners Court Continguency line item, noting that for this year the Center is now in the red by over $30,000.
And, before concluding discussion on the Nutrition Center, commissoner Lyndon McDonald, noting the county’s efforts at stopping the bleeding, reiterated that effective immediately, the decisions made back in October concerning the Center, are to be implemented and tracked accordingly henceforth.
Commissioners next directed their attention to the subject of grants and heard grant administrator Becky Brewster report on the Youth Activity Center (Phase III) and Food Bank grant and the Fire Station grant.
During the re-bid process, Brewster told the court, “only one bidder came forth. Badillo Construction was the lone bidder and his bids came in over the grant amounts for both grants.”
Brewster continued by noting, “The architects have talked with Mr. Badillo and have amended the contracts to get the bids in line with our grant amounts. Basically, we had to eliminate the Youth Activity Center (Phase III) portion except for about $13,000.”
Following discussion, commissioners decided to award the bid, after revising them, to Badillo Construction and to allow the County Judge to sign the contracts for the court.
Brewster also reported on the status of the Texas Border Colonias grant project which has hit some snags because of the contractors utilization of as sub-contractor.
Brewster reported that, “TxDOT had sent an inspector down to look at the streets and provide a recommendation. The inspector said that 3rd and 4th Streets were not great but were okay. However, 9th Street was unacceptable and should be redone.”
Commissioners tabled any action on this grant until they can talk with the contractor and TxDOT.
And, before leaving grant matters, commissioners did approve a resolution naming April as Fair Housing Month.
Rick Knapp, of Rick Knapp & Associates, the county’s outside auditor was present to present the results of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 audit.
Knapp told commissioners that it was a “claen audit which shows you have virtually no debt with reserves growing by nearly $250,000.”
He noted that “there are still some internal control issues we’re working on but progress is being made in these areas.”
Commissioners voted to accept the audit report as presented.
Then commissioners addressed the possibility of appointing the Democratic Party nominee for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 to the vacant post.
Former Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Oscar Espinoza has retired leaving the post vacant. The office, however, is still generating revenues for the county each month.
Several things were talked in the meeting but when all was said and done, commissioners appointed a committee composed of Commissioners Garibay and Normand, as well as County Judge Molinar to meet with Rita Carrasco and County Attorney Steve Mitchell to see what could be worked out.
A special meeting will be held on Monday to discuss the outcome of the session and determine which course of action the commissioners want to follow if any.
With regard to other agenda matters considered, commissioners took the following actions:
* Accepted the continuing education hours as presented by Commissioner McDonald.
* Learned that the gas bill for the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department last month was $700. Commissioner McDonald reported he is working with the gas company folks to see what can be done about it.
* Commissioners approved providing dirt work to serve as a base for three dry hydrants to be placed within or near Culberson County. The hydrants will be utilized by the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department as a source of water when fighting fires outside the city limits.
* Commissioners learned that the TxDOT street contractor had picked up some gravel and hauled it off. The gravel, however, belonged to the county. The county had purchased the gravel as part of the Border Colonias grant. Commissioners will check on the status with the contractor.
* Commissioners talked county projects before approving budget amendments and the submitted monthly reports from various offices.
* And, they approved payment of bills and salaries amounting to $262,118 before concluding the session.