Saturday's Internet Edition, July 05, 2008.
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Mayor Rachel P. Gallegos called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 P. M. on January 14, 2008. Council members present were Evaristo Rendon, Julio Ramirez, Barbara Lomax and Isabel (Belo) Rangel.
Council member Tamara Scotch was unable to attend the meeting. Staff members present were Bebe Ramirez and Jeff Yeaman. Others present were Carl Esser, Grant Administrator, and Alex Dula, Emergency Management Coordinator. Pastor Albert Green and Jesse Aldrich also attended the meeting.
Carl Esser presented the update on the FEMA project and results of the assessment of the city streets which suffered extensive damage during 2007 rainfalls in excess of 50 inches. The ten projects that were approved in the final results totaled almost $200,000. The City is required to fund 25% of this project and the council approved that the Mayor sign the resolution which allows the City to request these funds from ORCA. The City is expecting to receive the funding within thirty days and work will not begin until the funds are acquired. Mr. Esser and the Mayor both commended staff member Bebe Ramirez for her hard work as the primary contact with the FEMA specialists and the excellent results on this project. Mr. Esser also offered an update on the Community Development Grant Project which is already in progress and will consist of a $219,000 upgrade to the waste water facility.
The Mayor then introduced the next item which was listed as a special presentation to Mrs. Helen Fred. The Mayor stated that she did not want any citizen that volunteers their time and resources for the good of the community to be unappreciated. Pastor Albert Green accepted the certificate presented to Mrs. Fred which read “for your diligence and outstanding contributions to the community” and then read her thank you letter addressed to the entire community.
January 14, 2008
To Mayor Rachel Gallegos, the Rocksprings City Council and to all my Rocksprings family of friends:
I am deeply touched by this honor and regret that I cannot be present. My heartfelt thanks to the City of Rocksprings.
From Scripture we learn many ‘life’ lessons (1 Thessalonians 4:11) “...Make it be your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind your own business and work with your hands...” This applies to all ages but is especially significant for ‘antiques’ like myself.
Living a quiet life involves “...Love your neighbor as yourself...” (Matthew 22:39). This in turn cultivates spiritual fruit “...Love, joy, peace, patience...” (Galatians 5:22-23)
May what we have achieved together as a community continue to bring unity to “our” Rocksprings because we know that “...A house divided against itself cannot stand...: (Mark 3:25)
These 85+ years have been rewarding years even though, as Longfellow once wrote, “...Behind the clouds is the sun still shining ...Into each life some rain must fall...”
In all of life’s situations, our attitude determines our altitude. So, as I draw near the century mark, I dare not put off ‘til tomorrow the good to be done today!
Beginning in 1891, our forefathers established a background of faith for us to build upon. May God continue to bless Rocksprings as it grows and prospers.
Helen Thurman Fred
Mr. Alex Dula presented his update on local emergency management and spoke about the work that will begin on an emergency plan for the school system.
The minutes and financial reports were approved as presented. Jeff Yeaman presented his report on the water and waste water operations. Bebe Ramirez presented corrections that she had made in the billing system that will reflect on the January 31 summary of billing. She also informed the council that the Middle Rio Grande Workforce program had approved training for employees Gary Garcia and Edward Paz and that they would be at Cedar Park, Texas this week for basic water certifications. She also reported that the electrical problems had been completed at City Hall and she informed the council on the electrical deficiencies that need to be taken care of at the Water Plant on South Well Street.
The Mayor presented the Fraud Prevention Policy for the council’s approval. The policy was approved unanimously and will be provided to the auditor to satisfy new legislative requirements.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M. Ben Banahan and Ruth Baddley will be recognized for their outstanding volunteer service to the community at the February meeting of the City Council.