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Pecos City Council spent an hour in closed session this morning
discussing possible litigation concerning the contract with Reeves
County to fight fires outside the city limits.
After the discussion, Mayor Dot Stafford appointed Randy Graham, Scott
Armstrong and Doug Cox to contact county judge Jimmy Galindo regarding
lack of funding to the fire department for 1996.
County commissioners adopted a budget allocating only $25,000 for their
share of the fire department budget of $179,110. In the past, the county
has paid half the cost of fighting fires because more than half the
volunteer fire department's calls are outside the city limits.
Jeannette Alligood presented a request for council support of Western
Wireless' planned installation of a 175-foot radio tower at 401 S.
Cypress Street.
Alligood said the tower will provide improved cellular telephone service
to Pecos residents.
The council voted to support the plan, which requires approval by the
Federal Aviation Administration.
Bill Hubbs was re-appointed to the Permian Basin Airport board, a
position he has held for many years.
Pecos Police Department's request for purchase of a used 1995 Chevrolet
Corsica at $10,500, less a $500 trade-in, was approved.
Finance officer Steve McCormick said that a recent purchase of four new
police units left $10,200 in the vehicle budget.
The council revoked a prior decision to offer a split payment option for
property taxes. Stafford said that the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD will be
billing and collecting city taxes this year, and they do not offer split
payment.
Stafford said she had an inquiry about Halloween because some schools
are having special events on October 28. However, the council took no
action to change the official celebration date from October 31.
Municipal Court reported 165 new cases filed in September and 176 closed
out, with 18 of those dismissed. Deposits totaled $9,116.50 for fines
and court costs collected.
Pecos Police referred 10 of the 15 juveniles handled by the Reeves
County Juvenile Probation Department in September.
Councilman Danny Rodriguez said that the police department and school
are working together on juvenile violations. He said the officers need
to turn in paperwork on cases when they take the juveniles to the
detention center so the staff and parents will know why they are there.
Captain David Montgomery said the police department does turn in
paperwork as soon as possible.
If a juvenile is detained immediately, the officer fills out an intake
sheet at the detention center, then goes back to the police department
to fill out the case report and give it to juvenile staff.
"If we work a case and have ample time to do paper work, it is delivered
at the same time as the juvenile," he said.
Rodriguez said that three juveniles were picked up last week, and "we
didn't get the information until quite a bit later. We didn't know what
was going on. But it was not the police department; it was the sheriff's
office."
Bills approved totaled $219,410.
PECOS, 1995 - "No action" by the Pecos City Council this morning effectively halts a plan to consolidate elections for the city, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD and Reeves County Hospital.
Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo presented an estimate of costs to the
council, which shows a savings of only $1,386 for the three entities if
the county provides administration through the offices of county clerk
and tax assessor-collector.
He said the city, hospital and school district spent $17,193 last year
in holding separate elections.
With consolidation, the three entities would share a $7,500 elections
management fee paid to Reeves County, plus $8,307 estimated
consolidation cost, for a total of $15,807.
Galindo proposed an interlocal agreement that would include an
administration fee of $7,500, to be shared by the three entities, either
equally or proportionally, based on number of registered voters.
Additional costs under consolidation would be $2,000 for supplies,
$1,320 for early voting staff, $2,112 for election day staff, $2,475 for
computer equipment and software, and $400 for advertising.
Early voting would require two persons at $6 per hour, 10 hours per day
for 11 days.
Election day cost is for 13 voting boxes, each having two staff at $6
per hour for 12 hours.
In an interview following the council meeting, Galindo said his estimate
was based on information provided by others. If the hospital and school
districts require only six boxes instead of 13, the cost would be less,
he said.
Those entities have in the past had only one voting place in Pecos and
one in each outlying town.
"Probably the biggest benefit is voter convenience," Galindo said. "It's
hard to determine the value of having one place to vote; it is
intangible."
Mayor Dot Stafford said the issue is dead for this year, because the
deadline to complete consolidation is Jan. 18.
Galindo said he hopes to continue discussions in the spring when
consolidation of tax collections resumes. Then if an agreement is
reached, each entity can plan their budgets for next year with
consolidation in mind.
The council approved a contract with Kenneth Sydow to lease an old
service station at U.S. Highway 285 and the south service road of I-20,
paying $225 per month for two years;
- Passed on first reading an ordinance annexing property at 608 W. "F"
Street owned by Audrey Hill;
- Passed on first reading an ordinance closing the alley between Fourth
and Fifth Streets where the new federal courthouse is located;
- Increased water rates for Barstow residents from $1.26 per 1,000
gallons to $1.35. In their 99-year contract, the city of Barstow agreed
to pay the actual cost of water distribution, based on an annual audit.
- Granted David Madril's request to start an office paper recycling
program in all municipal buildings;
- And gave Madril permission to donate revenue from recycled aluminum
cans to the Pecos Chamber of Commerce's Christmas decorations fund.
Butts Recycling had agreed to turn those revenues over to the city, but
bookkeeping costs would offset revenues, Madril said.
PECOS, 1995 - Pecos City Council agreed this morning to postpone construction of a second landfill trench and to divert $350,000 in grant funds from a new South Worsham well field transmission line to replacement of a section of the Ward field line.
Frank Spencer, design engineer on both projects, said the transmission
line grant must be spent and the line in operation within two years.
That will not be possible because it will take up to three years to
develop the field, he said.
After meeting with state officials concerning the city's application for
a grant to develop the field, Spencer said the city and county will have
to adopt model subdivision rules and a facilities planning report must
be made - to include environmental assessment, Texas Parks and Wildlife
and Texas Historical Society hearings.
Spencer said that would take six to eight months, then the Texas Water
Development Board would determine whether the city could apply for a
construction grant.
If approved, construction would take another eight to 10 months, he
said, so it would be 2½ to 3 years before the field is developed.
To keep from losing the grant and the opportunity to apply for another
one next year, Spencer recommended replacement of about a mile of the
Ward field line instead.
Spencer said that about four miles of line needs to be replaced, and it
may be possible to get a $350,000 grant each year to replace 1-1¼ miles,
as was done this year.
That construction project was completed and approved Wednesday, Spencer
said.
But Spencer disagreed with Armando Gil that the current landfill trench
will last another 22 months, and he recommended going ahead with
construction bids, which have been solicited.
His survey shows the trench will be full by May at the October dump rate
of 31 tons per day.
However, Gil said that private haulers who have been dumping five tons
per week each from Toyah, Barstow and Pecos County have said they will
not pay the $50 per ton dumping fee and will use another landfill.
With the increased recycling efforts and a new equipment operator who
compacts the trash better when it is deposited in the landfill, Gil said
he believes the trench will last longer.
The council agreed to postpone construction and allow Gil to determine
if and when a new trench should be started.
The council also agreed to purchase a street sweeper for $93,000, paying the $80,000 budgeted this year and financing the remainder until the following fiscal year.
Octavio Garcia, utilities director, said it would save $2,000 on the
purchase price to buy the sweeper now rather than wait for the new
budget year, which begins Oct. 1, 1996.
The old sweeper is in bad shape, said city manager Harry Nagel, and he
received an offer of $5,000 for it.
Tom Rivera, Pecos Chamber of Commerce executive director, presented the
council a framed copy of a montage to be used in chamber advertising and by local businesses.
He also explained an effort to provide a central computer hookup with
Internet capabilities for the chamber, city and county.
The Texas Department of Commerce has a program for economic development
that allows any corporation seeking to re-locate to contact cities
directly, Rivera said.
"We will be able to access all sorts of economic development data,"
Rivera said.
A resolution placing stop signs on Jackson Street at Pigman, Arizona and
Beauchamp streets was approved on first reading; a bill from Records
Consultants Inc. that was $960 over the bid limit was approved; and
Mayor Dot Stafford proclaimed Nov. 19-26 National Bible Week.
The council agreed to change the Nov. 23 meeting (Thanksgiving Day) to
Nov. 21.
PECOS, 1995 - Postponing construction of a second landfill trench could save $600,000 - if the city of Pecos can qualify for an arid exemption, said Armando Gil, city sanitarian.
Pecos City Council will consider Thursday whether to advertise for
construction bids as scheduled or wait until next year to see if the
Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission change the rules on liners and groundwater monitoring.
Under current rules, Pecos is required to line the trench with plastic
and clay and install a leachate collection system to keep the decaying
garbage from contaminating groundwater.
Another requirement for the arid exemption is a low dumping rate. Pecos
had been receiving 45-50 tons per day, but when the council increased
the fee to $50 per ton, outside haulers switched to other area dumps.
Recycling efforts have also reduced the dump rate, and Gil said the
landfill is now averaging 28-31 tons per day.
Besides the new Butts Recycling center, large businesses have their own
recycling plans, and the staff is composting grass and brush dumped at
the landfill.
Gil said the material is being shredded, combined with vegetable matter
from Anchor West and watered to turn it into material that can be used
in gardens.
In addition, the city recycles tires, batteries, oil and filers, Gil
said. "it is helping quite a bit."
With all those efforts, the current trench should last another 1½ years,
Gil said.
"We are going to re-survey around mid-May to be able to tell when to
advertise for construction bids on the new trench," he said. That is, if
the council agrees to postpone construction.
Other items on Thursday's 7:30 a.m. agenda include a street sweeper
purchase; stop signs on Jackson Street at Pigman, Arizona and Beauchamp;
application to the Texas Water Development Board for funding under the
economiclly distressed areas program; amend the Texas Community
Development Grant program from South Worsham well field improvements to
construction of water transmission line from the Ward well field;
Proclamation of National Bible Week, discuss a records consultants
invoice, consider a presentation of montage from Tom Rivera, Pecos
Chamber of Commerce executive director; and consider employee
performance reivew of chief of police and finance director.
PECOS, 1995 - Pecos Volunteer Firemen were just a little too efficient when a house at 406 S. Ash St. caught on fire earlier this year, said Jack Brookshire, city building inspector and fire marshal.
Brookshire had condemned the abandoned wood frame house shortly before
children playing in one of the bedrooms accidently set a mattress on
fire. The fire quickly spread throughout the small structure, but
firemen contained it while the walls and roof were still standing.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Billy Johnson said the building's close proximity to the new federal courthouse could prove a hazard when prisoners are being transported into the rear sally port, which opens on Ash Street.
Lack of funds has hindered the city's program to demolish such abandoned structures, but Brookshire said he has some in his budget this year and will soon begin to obtain estimates on several he has condemned.
"That will probably be one of the first ones I will get, because it is a threat to people going in and out of the courthouse," he said.
Other buildings have become hangouts for "junkies," drug abusers who
gather to sniff paint, smoke marijuana or shoot up heroin - or just to
sleep.
Three business buildings on East Third Street are also slated for
demolition, Brookshire said.
"I will get some bids from local contractors to tear them down," he said.
PECOS, 1995 -Mikey the monkey made the flight from Illinois to Pecos in good shape and is happy in the Maxey Park Zoo, said Armando Gil, zoo director.
Gil went to Brookfield, Ill. to receive the monkey in conjunction with
the loan and breed program under which zoos operate. He was given a tour
of the huge zoo, which has 400 employees.
He was given instructions how to care for Mikey, one of about 200
monkeys housed indoors.
"They said Mikey would love being outside in the sun during the summer,
and it helps get rid of parasites, so he will be will adjusted to this
area," Gil said.
Gil and Mikey arrived in Pecos Sunday night, and Mikey met his mate on
Monday.
"They adjusted real well from the first day I brought him in," Gil said.
But it will be three to four years before they will breed.
Mikey is a large 10-year-old capuchin monkey, "very healthy, an
understanding primate," Gil said. "When you indicate with a hand motion
and tell him to get out of the exhibit area and into the housing area,
he will do it right away."
He replaces a male capuchin that vandals killed earlier this year. The
juveniles were required to pay restitution as part of their punishment,
and Gil said that paid for his trip to Illinois.
Visitors have flocked to the monkey pen since word got around Monday,
Gil said.
Pecos is "running a Class A operation," Gil was told by the Brookfield
zoo director, who did a thorough background check on him and the zoo
before turning over the monkey.
"He checked thoroughly, and even the editor of the newspaper had some
good comments," he said.
Enterprise editor and publisher Mac McKinnon has written
editorials opposing Gil's plans to obtain the monkeys, a bear and two
cougars.
"He found out about the articles, and that's why they checked with him,"
Gil said.
Mikey joins a group of Emu, ostriches and other exotic animals shipped
in recently from the Waters Ranch. All are "doing great," Gil said.
But he is having second thoughts about obtaining alligators, because
they are hard to cre for. "I don't want to jeopardize the animals," he
said.
PECOS, 1995 - Construction of a new landfill trench is two to three weeks behind schedule, Frank Spencer told the Pecos City Council this morning.
The council voted to begin advertising Wednesday for construction bids
to be opened November 16. Spencer said his original plan called for a
November 1 bid date.
One holdup has been approval by the Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission of modifications to the plan. Spencer said TNRCC held up
approval for addition of an approved liner quality control plan.
"We did have it in the mofidication," Spencer said. "We re-submitted
those plans instead of arguing with them."
If TNRCC has not approved the plan by November 16, then bids will not be opened, he said.
"I tried to call them yesterday, but nobody in Austin would answer the
phone," he said.
Spencer estimated construction costs will be $30,000 to $40,000 higher
than his original estimate two months ago. He now expects the cost to be $1.89 million.
"We won't know for sure until the bids come in," he said.
Any responsible contractor may submit a bid, he said. Rhode Construction
Co. of Lubbock won the bid on the first trench, but the city had
problems with their sub-contractor.
"We can request the contractor supply the name of the sub-contractor in
the bid," Spencer said. "We will try to qualify that the general
contractor would do 50 to 60 percent of the project."
Spencer also reported on construction of a new water transmission line,
which he said is complete except for couplings to tie it into the old
line.
"Holloman Construction has done a very good job," he said. "They have
done the work in 2½ to 3 weeks and did a good job."
He said they had some concern about power lines that were close to the
installation, but Texas-New Mexico Power Company worked with them to
resolve their concerns, and "all went well."
The council approved Spencer's recommendation that seven new air release valves be installed on the old Ward County water line, using $15,000 left from grant monies to construct the new line.
"There are seven loctions where the original design of the water
transmission line calls for four-inch air release valves. They are
generally set at high points of the line," he said.
"These particular valves have been either repaired or no longer working.
This is very important part of pipeline design," Spencer said.
When the pneumatic valve closes automatically at the booster station
between the Worsham and Ward County field, it creates a hammer effect
where there is a great amount of pressure along the line, and air is
released at the high points, he said.
"If there is no place for release, it creates undue pressures on the
line that could burst the pipe where it has been weakened due to age or
deterioration of the pipe," Spencer said.
"We ran a survey and determined the air release valves are not operating
properly. When we determined most of them need repairs, we felt like
with the money left the city could purchase valves and install them," he
said.
The grant is for $257,500 and the local match is $18,800, making a total project cost of $276,300, he said.
Savings were realized by elimination of a butterfly valve and gate valve from the original plan, leaving a balance of $15,686.
Spencer said that seven valves could be purchased for less than $15,000, the maximum allowed without advertising for bids, and city crews could install them.
"This would greatly enhance the life of the transmission line," he said.
In other business, the council agreed to a change in employee health
insurance coverage that would guarantee discounts from Reeves County
Hospital and others associated with a preferred provider organization.
Employees would still be free to choose their own physician and
hospital, said Phil Watts, insurance agent. But the city would benefit
by paying lower premiums.
Mayor Dot Stafford administered the oath of office to Roxie Natividad as a member of the Pecos Youth Advisory Commission. Natividad was out of
town when the other 20 members of the commission took the oath.
Youth make flaming start on projects
By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer
PECOS, 1995 - Red ribbons, red cherry pie, red fire engines and a red Santa Claus suit are among the choices made Monday by the Pecos Youth Advisory Commission in their first meeting at City Hall.
After electing Kelsey hathorn chairman, Wade Dodson vice-chairman, Sara
Matta secretary and Rebecca Spencer treasurer, the 21-member group
worked on their calender of events.
For October, they chose to help distribute red ribbons in cooperation
with Red Ribbon Day at Pecos High School. They will ask the Pecos Police Department to help with distribution Saturday.
In November, the group voted to take turkeys and pies or cakes to the
needy on the day before Thanksgiving.
For December, they agreed to enter a float in the Christmas Parade and
to light a Christmas tree for the community.
Kris Armstead proposed the Christmas tree, with a tree-lighting ceremony
and Santa Claus.
Hathorn suggested caroling, including the Pecos Nursing Home residents.
"They love caroling better than anybody," she said. "They had tears in
their eyes. We could do it all in one night."
Danny Rodriguez, city council sponsor, said perhaps taking a fire truck
and going caroling would be the easiest.
"I think a Christmas tree would be better for the community; to have
something to do and caroling," said Nettie Rodriguez.
"I thought we were going to do it all," said Terrance Bailey.
Armstead proposed having all the events together - a tree lighting
ceremony at Windmill Square after the parade with Santa Claus and
caroling.
Randall Reynolds proposed inviting children to march in the parade to
make it longer.
Nettie Rodriguez said that the weather will be cooler at Christmas than
for the Mother Goose and Friends Parade, and little children might not
be able to participate.
Her motion to provide a Christmas tree carried unanimously. The
location, date and time are to be worked out later.
Officers agreed to study a list of proposed by-laws and report to the
full commission in its next meeting.
The group voted to meet the first and third Monday of each month at 6:15
p.m.
PECOS, 1995 - Pecos City Council spent an hour in closed session this morning discussing possible litigation concerning the contract with Reeves County to fight fires outside the city limits.
After the discussion, Mayor Dot Stafford appointed Randy Graham, Scott
Armstrong and Doug Cox to contact county judge Jimmy Galindo regarding
lack of funding to the fire department for 1996.
County commissioners adopted a budget allocating only $25,000 for their
share of the fire department budget of $179,110. In the past, the county
has paid half the cost of fighting fires because more than half the
volunteer fire department's calls are outside the city limits.
Jeannette Alligood presented a request for council support of Western
Wireless' planned installation of a 175-foot radio tower at 401 S.
Cypress Street.
Alligood said the tower will provide improved cellular telephone service to Pecos residents.
The council voted to support the plan, which requires approval by the
Federal Aviation Administration.
Bill Hubbs was re-appointed to the Permian Basin Airport board, a
position he has held for many years.
Pecos Police Department's request for purchase of a used 1995 Chevrolet
Corsica at $10,500, less a $500 trade-in, was approved.
Finance officer Steve McCormick said that a recent purchase of four new
police units left $10,200 in the vehicle budget.
The council revoked a prior decision to offer a split payment option for property taxes. Stafford said that the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD will be billing and collecting city taxes this year, and they do not offer split payment.
Stafford said she had an inquiry about Halloween because some schools
are having special events on October 28. However, the council took no
action to change the official celebration date from October 31.
Municipal Court reported 165 new cases filed in September and 176 closed out, with 18 of those dismissed. Deposits totaled $9,116.50 for fines and court costs collected.
Pecos Police referred 10 of the 15 juveniles handled by the Reeves
County Juvenile Probation Department in September.
Councilman Danny Rodriguez said that the police department and school
are working together on juvenile violations. He said the officers need
to turn in paperwork on cases when they take the juveniles to the
detention center so the staff and parents will know why they are there.
Captain David Montgomery said the police department does turn in
paperwork as soon as possible.
If a juvenile is detained immediately, the officer fills out an intake
sheet at the detention center, then goes back to the police department
to fill out the case report and give it to juvenile staff.
"If we work a case and have ample time to do paper work, it is delivered
at the same time as the juvenile," he said.
Rodriguez said that three juveniles were picked up last week, and "we
didn't get the information until quite a bit later. We didn't know what
was going on. But it was not the police department; it was the sheriff's
office."
Bills approved totaled $219,410.
The October 26 council meeting was re-scheduled for 7:30 a.m. October
24, since council members will attend a Texas Municipal League meeting
in Dallas on the regular meeting date.
PECOS, 1995 - Pecos Mayor Dot Stafford administered the oath of office to an all-new youth advisory commission Monday in City Hall.
"It is quite an honor, young people," Stafford said. "We are looking
forward to great and wonderful things from each and every one of you. We know you won't fail us, and I hope we won't fail you. The city council and staff will be available to you at any time."
Dr. Elvia Reynolds, who proposed the commission, made the motion to
adopt a resolution creating it, and the vote was unanimous.
The commission is composed of 21 students from grades 7-12. Selection
criteria is based upon abilities in leadership and community
involvement. The term of office is for one year.
Stafford said the first meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday. All meetings
are open to the public and the agenda will be posted 72 hours in advance.
In the first meeting, the commission will elect a chairperson,
vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer for one-year terms.
The function of the commission is to serve as a liaison between the City Council and the youth of the community on issues affecting youth and to encourage the positive growth and development of youth by involving them in social, cultural, recreational and other drug-and alcohol-free activities.
Danny Rodriguez helped form the commisision, composed of Christopher
Matta, Lyndall Elkins, Nicole Payne, Randall Reynolds, Trent Riley,
Meagan Joplin, Dana Warren, Brandi Harrison, Sara Matta, Roxie
Natividad, Rebecca Spencer, Tye Graham, April Ryan, Stephanie Gonzales,
Belinda Heard, Terrance Bailey, Nettie Rodriguez, Michael Chabarria,
Kelsey Hathorn, Kris Armstead and Wade Dodson.
Roxie Natividad was the only member unable to attend Tuesday's
swearing-in ceremony.
Copyright 1996 Pecos Enterprise
324 S. Cedar, Box 2057, Pecos TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
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