Sunday, June 01, 2008

Marfa City Council meeting 5/29 recap

Hi folks!

Here's the first in my series of short recaps of our city council meetings. I have been elected as one of five at-large councilmen. My term will last two years. We meet twice a month; on the second Tuesday and the last Thursday of each month.

Here's what happened this meeting and the councilman voting results:

Regular discussion and approval of previous meeting's minutes. No citizen comments during the citizen comment period. This meeting, incidentally, followed a somewhat contentious Parks and Rec Board public hearing where there were plenty of citizen commments.
City administrator's report discussed the (lack of) streetlights and potentially investing, long term, in a wind turbine. Also that the TWBD 1.2 million dollars for the new water treatment plant has still not been received. Job openings for lifeguard and pool director are still open. Asssistnt cook at the Nutrition center has been hired. Discussed the ORCA grant and some liability issues. Trinidad Pacheco is in training to be our new animal control officer.

Mayor's Report: diwscussed open meetings and freedom of information training. Swimming pool supplies are late and will be re-shipped. Commended the Marfa Girl's softball team on their great season.

Voting items:

I nominated councilman Scott May to replace the outgoing Lionel Salgado as Mayro Pro-Tem. Seconded by Rudy. Vote was unanimous.
We voted to appoint Thomas Schidt and Fairfax Dorn to the Zoning Board. All but Manny were in favor. Only objection there (mine and Manny's objection) was that nominees weren't at the meeting to answer potential conflict of interest questions.

Discussed at length the ad valorem tax note (interst and sinking funds. Approved unanimously although the draft officer did not come with his fee notes in hand and was evasive about audience questions. I would have voted against this one if this hadn't been merely the finalizing of this agreement which has been in the works for months. 4% rate, compounded yearly. $270,000 total loan over three years. Loan fees come off the top (so we're paying interest on those as well). Not how I would have liked to see it and the guy was kind of slick and maybe slimy. We'll see. My main concern that I voiced loudly was that all designated funds be spent on our fixed asset "to buy" list the previous council approved and amended back in March and April.

We approved changing the signature card at the bank to include me and Manny and to remove Lionel and Maria since they are no longer serving on council. (unanimous)

Approved the transfer of Parks and Rec money to the golf course for pump electric power funding. This had to do with the Golf Association's deal to pay the salary of Ernest in exchange for 6 months of power funding from the city. In the past the city has paid most or all of Ernest's salary. All voted in favor minus Scott May who dissented.
Tabled approving the Parks and Rec master plan pending further study and revision by Parks and Rec Board.
Adjourned.


OK, that's it for now. Time to go to bed. _ David

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

While granted you are having a blast in Marfa and representing RO and SJS in the process I have to tell you you have blown it. Man this Christmas we had the best Christmas lights ever in the Houston Area and so I tuned in the Sunny 99.1 and I swear to God, it was in order Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra, Sleigh Ride by Johnny Mathis, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams, and the icing on the Fruit Cake- Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Barry Manilow. And you know I had never heard his version before but wow I have to say if I had I might have changed the vote on my ballot away from Copacabana for favorite Barry Song- albeit I now have the good taste to know Mandy is better So anyway I'm listening to all this amazing music and looking at the lights and I had stopped at the Kicks 66 which in a Houston Tradition- along with Claybournes stays open for Christmas served up some great Dolly Madisons and Apple Ciders- I passed on the Shiner because I was driving and they said no one sells RC. Plus I also picked up the Holiday Assortment of Pez there too and the snowman kicks A*S! Man you can't possibly rock like the Donny does in Houston!!!! And then I went to the Heritage Societies great open House for the holidays earlier in the year and heard the music plus toured the houses and I got my photo with Santa, my picture done by the guy who worked at Astroworld during the Marvel Mc. Fay era plus they had all you can grab Twinkies, Ding-Dongs, Snowballs and these frosted oatmeal Moonpies and Angel Cookies with fillings for free. It ruled! Top that Marfa! You can't can you- I thought so!!!

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