Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
of Rangel for attendance requirements
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Rocksprings City Council gathered Monday March 8th with a crowd of about 20 and completed a lengthy agenda. Alex Dula started the meeting off after the roll call, public forum and Pledge of Allegiance. Dula stated there were no emergencies last month, which is a very good thing, and that Texas emergency personnel gathered for 3 days to discuss emergency situations. About 5,000 personnel attended the seminar.
Richard Redmundo and fellow representative spoke on behalf of Alamo Credit Recovery, which is a payment program that services rural southwest Texas areas. They create payment plans for people in debt on their utility bills. This is a service agreement that can be cancelled at any time and they collect 30-35% on debt. This program can help the city by collecting debts for the city. The city is currently $14,329.81 outstanding and would come up with $9,000 if Alamo collected 30-35% on the debts. There’s a 70% success rate if the debt is collected within 90 days. It was also claimed that the newer the debt the higher the success rate on collection will be.
The February 8, 2010 and December 14, 2009 minutes were approved with none opposing. The line item expenditures were all approved as presented. The cost to take the trash to Uvalde was twice as much as it was to Eldorado where it is normally taken, however, this bill was not on this month’s list to be approved. It was taken to Uvalde due to the Eldorado station closing because of so much rain.
The electricity on the sewer system was $1,038, but was budgeted at $760. Director of Public Works, Jeff Yeaman, stated the increase was due to every motor having a heater; however, this cost should come down as the weather warms up. Propane was also over budget. The city spent $2,400 on propane that was only budgeted at $1,500. This cost should also come down with warmer weather. It was also claimed that less than half of the population have produced property tax receipts. The financial report was accepted as presented.
Mike Groom’s request for rock material at the transfer station to fill the hole he dug on the 400 block of S. Well Street was approved provided the material is picked up within 30 days, weather permitting, at his own expense. The hole was dug to extract black clay, which is a bad foundation for a house. The collection of the rock material will also create needed space at the transfer station.
Burton Gallagan claimed a water pipe broke inside his mobile home ruining floors, walls, furniture, etc. He was told by the city that he needs to make a written claim to the insurance company and the city has not heard back from him since. The damaged property was also under someone else’s name.
Proclamation 2010:01- declaring April Fair Housing Month was approved. The council approved to appoint Sabrina Montoya as City Council Election Judge with a requested raise of $10 an hour and $8.50 an hour for Election Clerks, which is a raise from the normal $8 an hour. Council Member Barnebey stated that $8.50 is the current proper rate for an election clerk.
Jeff Yeaman gave the water meter inventory of 630 meters that are read with 4 different types of meters. They are the sensus, rockwell, master and center. The City of Rocksprings Public Works have been doing the master meters for 14 years now. It was also stated they replace an average of 25-30 meters a year due to some being vandalized or frozen. The wastewater treatment meter that was lost was 17 years old, over $400 and quit operating due to freezing temperatures. Yeaman announced that it is a goal to someday go electronic with the meters. Yeaman’s update was accepted.
Ordinance 2010:02 was voted to make the suggested changes of adding the audio and video cameras for meetings and continue next month. Next, Jerry Jones was asked to provide copies of the checks for the Music Festival at the previous 4th of July Bull Riding and a written statement claiming that cash was given out and a receipt cannot be obtained. This will be proof of where the money went to in case the city gets audited.
Bebe Ramirez said there is $848.03 in cash from last August missing. People claimed they paid and some have receipts, but the money never made it to the bank and there are deposit slips that support the statement. About $400 of the $848.03 is cash missing without a receipt to show for it. Barnebey stated that the city needs to record every cash transaction, which the audience readily agreed to as well. The council voted to have Ramirez collect all the information involved with the missing money and turn it into the Sheriff’s Department to have investigated. Ramirez then turned to the next agenda item, which involved her claim to her identity being stolen. She stated there is a sworn deposition that her personal information was passed from one person to another person in town. Ramirez also claimed that the personnel file had the key in the cabinet, which it never is, and 42 copies were made that morning which cannot be located. She also has photos of the copier being used. Those photos are currently at the Sheriff’s office. No other city employee’s identification has been stolen that any one is aware of. Ramirez requested the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office investigate the situation, which was approved.
The sewer rate topic caused some heated discussion due to some citizens getting charged differently than others. The city is currently losing $937.20 a month which results to $11,246.40 a year. Some audience members want a flat rate for everyone, meaning is if someone waters their lawn everyday compared to someone who tries to conserve their usage, both will get charged the same. Council member Scotch voted to change the rates back to what they were previously set by the ex-mayor. Two members approved while Barnebey abstained from the vote.
Barnebey motioned to appoint the mayor as Public Investment Officer, which died for lack of second. The city needs a PIO, but no Public Investment Officer was appointed by the council. The deadline is the end of this month however the deadline already passed for an audit. The council seat left empty by Mr. Rangel was motioned to be declared vacant, but also died for lack of a second.
The city council was debating on filing a lawsuit against the Edwards County Sheriff’s Department for still holding their computers and not doing anything with them. City Attorney Blackburn suggested to have the Justice of the Peace hold a hearing in hopes of the computers being returned instead of hiring Alex Tandy to file a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department. The council approved to not hire Tandy and have Blackburn do what is best for the city involving this matter.
No one was present to give an update on the lawsuit against the City of Rocksprings. The council did approve the procedures for Edwards County Economic Development Corporation and City Council for economic development grants, loans or other programs. The council rescinded the item to advertise for a possible hiring or a part-time administrative assistant & grant administrator for Edwards County Economic Development Corporation declaring this subject is EDEDC matter not City Council. The matter on the office space was tabled to next month due to disagreement between council members. Barnebey wants to keep using the American Angora Goat Breeders Association building since Rocksprings is the Mohair Capital of the World. Scotch opposed saying only two families in the county are members and it’s not worth paying $200 a month.
Yeaman’s report revealed in January 35-36 people had their water rates adjusted. Some city employees have also been taking courses and receiving further education in their field of work. The ground storage lighting has been repaired and a few potholes have been fixed, sending 2 crews at a time. They cannot get the oil to do further fixing until the weather warms up. An animal clinic is going to be held at the end of March costing $1,500. Yeaman would like to receive donations to be able to attend this clinic. Also, he is looking into a reusable CO2 full net system that shoots 26 feet and does not harm the animals.
The meeting was adjourned around 9:15 p.m.