Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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| Counting antelope here.... Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel are in Van Horn counting antelope. This annual survey, performed in July, is done by Dwayne Havis (pilot), Rick May (Hudspeth County Game Warden), and Misty Sumner (TPWD Wildlife Biologist). |
- Less than a week after he submitted his letter of resignation to school district trustees, Merle Dunn reapplied for the high school principal position.
During their July 10th meeting, trustees accepted Dunn’s resignation without comment.
Then trustees, during their meeting Monday evening, spent over 2 hours behind closed doors before reconvening in open session to announce that they were going to extend Mr. Dunn a one year contract to be the high school principal.
Again, no comment was offered by trustees for the reversal of their earlier decision.
During the Monday meeting, trustees talked about the budget process for the next fiscal year. They have asked principals and various department heads to submit their budget requests so that these can be compiled and looked at in a later meeting.
Trustees also asked Business Manager Angelica Robledo to provide them with break-outs of various budgets comparing last years expenses to this years requests.
At the same time, they asked that principals and department heads provide them with justification for any increase, since Robledo told trustees that nearly all had requested increases over last year.
Trustees received 5 different proposals to assist them with the superintendent search, since Superintendent Anne Pemberton has resigned effective June 30, 2008. Trustees were unanimous in their decision to use the services of the Texas Association of School Boards to assist them in the search process.
After tabling a decision on health insurance for district employees, trustees did approve bids to provide various products and services to the district.
The dairy product bid was awarded to Gandy’s, the lone bidder.
The fuel bid was awarded to Van Horn Oil and Propane, who also was the lone bidder.
The athletic insurance bid was award to Arnold and Associates. It was noted that the agent was the same one, he just works for a different company now.
The bid to provide a Junior High Basketball Court was awarded to Badillo Construction, of Van Horn, in the amount of $23,450. The other bidder for this project was D & R Roofing and Construction.
Board members also approved Interquest Detection Services to provide the district with canine services during the coming school year. The firm will provide at minimum of 15 (1/2 day) visits for $350 per visit. It was noted that the local sheriff’s department had been unable to provide such service during the past school year.
Following discussion, board members approved paying a $4,000 teaching stipend to Ben Flanagan to teach Driver’s Education next school year.
And, they tabled discussion on a Dyslexia Testing stipend pending the receipt of additional documentation.
After approving a teacher longevity stipend, in an attempt to bring teacher pay up to what area schools pay, trustees approved a memorandum of understanding to provide some college level courses to Van Horn High School.
Before concluding the session, trustees approved $816,229.81 in monthly bills and payroll. Of that sum, $571,397.81 was for salaries and expense, while $244,832.00 was for monthly bills.
City Council gets updated on Van Horn's EDI during meeting
Jose Quintana, president of AdventGX, brought city council members up to date of various facets of Van Horn’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI) during their meeting Tuesday evening.
AdventGX is the College Station firm hired by the City and the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC) to develop a marketing plan and oversee it’s implementation as well as provide services for the VHEDC.
Quintana told council that the marketing plan is moving forward with an expected completion date by December of this year. The actual due date is June 30, 2008.
He also reported to council on the efforts of AdventGX to secure the funding for the VHEDC’s proposed apartment complex. He cited the lender requirement of a 20% equity stake in the project as a sticking point. That amount is $260,000.
Quintana is still optimistic that the project can be funded, although they may have to seek investor support to raise the 20%.
He also expanded on the efforts of the EDI’s Project 7 Room and the special opening event held here on July 7th. And, he urged locals to come by the Project 7 Room to catch a glimpse of the vision for Van Horn.
Jeff McCoy, VHEDC Executive Director added, “We hope to have the Project 7 Room lighted at night in an effort to attract locals and visitors to view the facility at night. Additionally, we hope to have some video playing which will serve as an attraction when the Room is not open.
And, while making his report to council, McCoy reported that State Representative Pete Gallego had toured the facility and was equally impressed.”
With regard to other areas, McCoy reported, sadly, that one of the Main Street highlights had closed. The Blue Quail Coffee Shop has closed, however AdventGX is helping the EDC look for potential buyers.
And, McCoy reported that during the recent tire collection event held by the city and county, a total of 9,676 tires were collected. Some are still stock piled waiting to be picked up. And, he added, “this was done with grant money and will not cost the city or county anything.”
And, rounding out his report, McCoy told council that renovation of the old Willis Building into a business incubator was underway. Once complete, it will house the art and crafts of local artisans offering consumers unique arts and crafts from our area.
Quintana added that local artist Michael Hidalgo is going to be one of the artists and others are quickly joining him.
City Utilities Superintendent Raquel Mendez and Water Department Supervisor Refugio Corrales reported on the cost to get the Courthouse Well up and running.
It will take about $46,000 and council opted to take no action at Tuesdays meeting.
Gas Company manager Edward Torres reported that one of the new cathodic protection wells has been completed and they are going to do two others.
The rub is the Rio Grande Electric Cooperative is requiring an agreement and an easement in order to provide the electrical service to the site. That easement may well require the gas company to survey the land in question, and that might cost upwards of $1,000 or more.
Council approved getting the easement and at the same time approved the purchase of two new rectifiers for the cathodic protection wells, since the gas company does not have any left. The rectifiers are expected to cost approximately $2,000 each.
Council heard from Phillip Landis, owner of K & L Supply, concerning the reasons the city is not purchasing from his firm after doing so for 10 years.
Landis thanked council for the past business his firm has enjoyed and urged council to consider purchasing chemicals from his company again.
No action was taken by council.
With regard to other items considered by council, the following actions were taken during the Tuesday meeting.
* Learned that the Golf Tournament slated for next month is nearly at the capacity level for the number of teams. Course manager Rodriguez said, “I’ve already got 51 teams signed up.” And, Rodriguez asked council to consider the purchase of a computer, internet service and software so they can do a better job at the golf course.
* Learned that the continuation grant application for the Boys and Girls Club is due by July 27th. City Administrator Becky Brewster noted that they are working feverishly on the application to get it ready in time.
* Council held a public hearing to continue the existing Juvenile Curfew Ordinance which has been in effect since 1995. After the hearing, council voted unanimously to continue the ordinance as it is written.
* Council approved a security agreement with Southwest Security to provide city offices with security services.
* Council approved Transportation Program policies which are required by TxDOT as a function of continuing to receive grant funding. The policy will track client satisfaction, maintenance on vehicles and timely submission of grant invoices.
* And, council corrected a billing error in a gas service customers bill which had extended for a period over 5 months.
* And, council went behind closed doors for an executive session to discuss personnel, and security issues.