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PECOS, February 25, 1997 - Reeves County Commissioners were given a
briefing by County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo on his discussions with the
firm Gondeck, Dailey and Rabke on an agreement for the expansion at the
Reeves County Detention Center during Monday evening's regular
commissioners court meeting.
Commissioners then approved payments totalling $30,000 to the firm, as
part of a four-step procedure to increase the prison's capacity by
nearly one-third.
"I had the opportunity of meeting with them to discuss the project that
was approved by this court," said Galindo.
Earlier this month, Commissioners approved having the firm study four
particular points to begin the procedure of expanding the detention
center.
The four points in question are programming; conceptional design; agency
review - both formal and informal with schematic drawings - and final
agency approval.
Galindo told the court that Gondeck was to meet with the Texas Jail
Commission. Architect Lorraine Dailey would be in town Wednesday to meet
with RCDC personnel and discuss the project further.
Galindo asked commissioners "for approval of payment in four
increments," to Gondeck, Dailey and Rabke. Each payment would represent
25 percent of the total fee, and would follow completion of each of the
four phases of the initial project.
A rough draft of what the project will entail was provided by Galindo,
who said the four payments would total $7,500 apiece.
"This would also include travel time, which is something I also
discussed with them," said Galindo
"The last 25 percent will be made to the firm following final agency
approval," said Galindo.
The formal agency review and final draft will have a lot more
information to enable the court to put out Requests for Proposals for
the final construction of the project.
Galindo was to meet with the RCDC attorney Bill Weinacht to draw up the
final agreement between the county and Gondeck, Rabke and Dailey.
The expansion plan is based on the concept of converting day-room space
to detention space. It would add an additional 300 beds to the facility,
bringing its capacity to just under 1,000 inmates.
In other action, grant administration services for the 1995 Housing
Rehabilitation Texas Community Development Project were approved by the
court.
Galindo stated that additional grant administration services were needed
if the county was to meet the deadline for future grant applications,
which have been set for April 25.
"We need to have at least 50 percent of the money obligated in order to
submit the application," said Galindo.
Galindo stated that an increase in the county's grant administration
staff is needed in order to complete the application before the deadline.
Money is still available for this purpose and the individuals hired to
help with the grant administration will also be on hand to visit the job
sites and oversee the project.
"It's very important that we set up structure from the beginning,
because it will have a severe impact if not done properly," said Galindo.
There's still about $20,000 left in the grant administration funds to
cover additional staff, according to county auditor Lynn Owens.
"It's very important that we have proper supervision," said Galindo.
Uniform bids were rescinded and a new bid will be awarded at the next
meeting, following some problems.
"We can take this up at the next meeting and have some jail and RCDC
personnel on hand to see what their needs are," said Galindo.
Problems arose with shipping and not receiving orders when needed from
the Acme Textile Company.
Occupational Insurance of lieu of workman's comp was accepted for the
Robert Natividad Company, which will be working on the roof at the
sheriff's department.
An earlier agreement with the company had required that they have
workman's comp, but the company only has occupational insurance.
"This covers almost the same things as workman's comp and can be
utilized the same way," said Owens. "It has a few exclusions but the
coverage is basically the same and adequate for our requirements."
Linda Clark was formally recognized to serve on the Reeves County
Community Council. Clark had been serving on the board, but proper
documentation was never made available.
First National Bank was awarded the banking depository contract.
"We usually only get one bid," said Galindo.
He explained that every entity has to have a depository used as a
banking institution. "They split the political subdivisions between the
banks and basically this is our banking institution," he said.
A contract for housing juvenile offenders was approved between Reeves
and Winkler counties.
Minutes from previous meetings, reports from the various departments and
semi-monthly bills were approved as presented.
Personnel and salary changes included hiring a part-time employee at the
Reeves County Attorney's office, Toyah Walker, at a salary of $5 an hour
to be paid out of the hot check fund.
Road and bridges department netted two new employees with the
acquisition of Dennis Rayos as an equipment mechanic at $9.41 an hour
and Santiago Ortega as roadway maintenance tech I at $6.48 an hour.
Monday's meeting was held at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Reeves
County Courthouse instead of its previous morning hour to accommodate
the public that wishes to participate in the monthly meetings.
Commissioners plan to alternate their twice monthly meetings between
morning and late afternoon sessions.
Temperatures in Pecos dropped just to the freezing mark of 32 degrees
overnight, but some icing was reported on area bridges outside of town,
where sub-freezing weather was reported.
Monday's high was only 52, under cloudy skies that produced .12 inches
of moisture.
A winter weather advisory was issued for a vast area of West Texas as
light snow fell across the area and more was on the way.
Reports of icy road conditions on Interstate 10 between Van Horn and the
I-20 junction were first issued about 9 p.m. Monday, and several
accidents have bee reported since then in that area.
No word has been received from the Texas Department of Public Safety as
to the cause of a fatal accident between Carlsbad and El Paso on U.S.
62-180 reported this morning about 8:25 a.m.
At 10:12 a.m. today an ambulance was dispatched to I-10 mile marker 169
in reference to an accident with injuries.
Just before 9 a.m. today, there were reports of an accident with
injuries at the I-10 and I-20 junction.
About 9:40 p.m. Monday, a Balmorhea ambulance was dispatched to mile
marker 184 on I-10 in reference to an accident with injuries.
No official word has been received on the causes or details of these
incidents.
February has been an unusually wet month for Pecos, with 1.02 inches of
rain falling through Monday night, and forecasters predict more rain and
possible snow on Wednesday.
Last year, no rain fell in February, and only .11 inch was recorded in
January. March was also dry, with only .08 inch recorded.
So far this year, 1.39 inches has been recorded by the National Weather
Service. That's nearly double the .75 inches which fell in the first 5½
months of 1996.
Forecasts called for the possibility of snow over the Panhandle and
South Plains and for a wintry mix of precipitation over the southern
areas of the South Plains, much of the Permian Basin, the northern Trans
Pecos and mountains with rain expected across the rest of West Texas.
Most of the state will have some kind of precipitation tonight and
Wednesday.
PECOS, February 25, 1997 - A male juvenile is currently being detained
by county officials, and is looking at the possibility of being tried as
an adult for arson after allegedly setting fire to a local funeral
home's vehicle New Year's Eve.
A written confession to arson was obtained from the youth Thursday
afternoon, according to Fire Marshal Jack Brookshire.
Brookshire said he kept after the youth, who was arrested at the scene
of the fire on Dec. 31, at the Martinez Funeral Home parking lot,
located at 116 W. Fourth.
The teen was charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication
after he struck up a fight with a police officer at the scene during
questioning.
That night, Brookshire said, the intoxicated youth confessed to setting
the fire but recanted his story the next day.
"I went back and talked to him quite a few times," said the fire marshal.
The interior of the vehicle, a white, 1988 Chevrolet Suburban, was set
on fire, said Brookshire, after the juvenile allegedly dropped three
matches on the front seat. Before long, the entire interior of the
Suburban was engulfed in flames.
Brookshire said he put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, and fire
volunteers hosed the vehicle down after arriving at the scene.
The Suburban had been broken into, as both the driver's side door and
windshield were discovered shattered.
There was evidence that someone had attempted to break in to the funeral
home as well, according to early reports.
Prior to the fire, eggs were thrown at the suburban and a hearse parked
a few feet away.
Laverne Bratton, 89, died Monday, Feb. 24, 1997, in Carlsbad, N.M.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Denton-Funchess Funeral Home
Chapel, 1001 N. Canal, Carlsbad. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m.
Thursday in Pottsville Public Cemetery in Pottsville. Viewing hours will
be from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton.
She was born July 17, 1907 in Hamilton County and had lived in Pecos and
Slaton before moving to Carlsbad in 1993. She was a member of Eastern
Star #85 in Pecos and #858, and of Happy Valley Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, James Lemeul Bratton of Odessa; three
daughters, Doris Hudnall of Slaton, Wanda Cunningham of Marble Falls and
Darlene Burton of Carlsbad; nine grandchildren and 17
great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be made to Happy Valley Baptist Church,
Box 281, Carlsbad, N.M., 88221.
Doris M. Morse, 66, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 1997, in Nacogdoches.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery
in Pecos, with the Rev. Darrell Evins officiating.
She was born Mar. 5, 1930 in Hext, was retired and a Baptist.
Survivors include two sons, Mark Dennis Morse and Michael Robert Morse,
both of Houston; one daughter, Terri Morse of Pecos; and two brothers,
Dean Soules of Houston and Hugh Soules Jr. of Oglesby.
Lon Bailey, 89, died Thursday, Feb. 20 in Neptune, New Jersey.
Visitation will be held today from 7-9 p.m. at the Pecos Funral Home
Chapel.
Services are scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Zion Baptist
Church with burial at Eastside Cemetery.
He was born Aug. 5, 1907 in Toms, Okla., was a Baptist and a retired
minister.
Survivors include his wife, Ira L. Bailey of Pecos; two sons, Leonard
Bailey of Wanamassa, N.J., Milford Bailey of Amarillo; two daughters,
Odessa Livingston of Wanamassa, N.J., Marilyn Rhymer of Austin and nine
grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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_
Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
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324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
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