seymour_cc_december_meetings 3-24-06

2. Departmental Reports:

Electric, Water/Sewer, Police, Street, R.O. Plant, Golf Complex, Economic Development Director and City Secretary.

Brad Tilley- Electric Department Superintendent

Superintendent Tilley was unavailable.

Greg Shumate- Water/WW Superintendent

Superintendent Shumate was unavailable.

Ronnie Kolacek- Street Superintendent

Superintendent Kolacek was unavailable.

Rick Garcia – R.O. Plant Superintendent:

Superintendent Garcia was unavailable

John Studer- Economic Development Director:

Here is the text of Mr. Studer’s written report:

The projects this office is working on this month are:

Beautification and Sidewalks:

I received a long notification letter from TXDOT about the enhancement grant we applied for to build new Downtown sidewalks. They said there would be no funding for these type of grants. The Texas Department of Transportation has had 305 million dollars cut from their budget so far. They expect more budgetary cuts. They said they were forced to make reductions based upon priority. The Enhancement Program is low priority and reductions based upon priority and therefore funding was eliminated for it. I don’t know if TXDOT will offer this grant in the future. I don’t expect to see applications accepted for the next couple of years. TXDOT was real critical of the inconsistencies with Federal Funding. It was disappointing to me personally because I have spent so much time on this particular grant. I will research the Texas Department of Agriculture program for funding assistance for sidewalks. They are probably tied to Federal funding also. There have also made several adjustments to the way the local Street Lighting Program has been set up to simplify the process for the donors. All the money will flow through a special account in the City.

Auditorium:

I finally got the updated cost spread sheet for Architect Ralph Perkins. All the information has been forwarded to Shelly Green who will do the grant for the restoration project. The Jamboree will not be held in December, but, will resume on each fourth Saturday, starting in January. A big “Thank You” to Robert and Betty Patterson for their support in raising funds for the Auditorium.

Highway 277 Corridor:

I will continue to do follow up with businesses and land owners in the corridor area. We are waiting for a reply on the information we sent to Lawyer Paul Hayers about annexation of two submitted properties. We are also waiting for the “ok” from Mr. Hayers to use a form for annexation we found on the Texas Municipal League website.

Fossils:

The Houston Museum of Natural Science and Dr. Bakker were to be in Baylor County again on the same day we had the Wednesday snow storm. They were planning to bring the President of the Museum with them on this visit. I told them not to come. They seem to be very good to work with. They are receptive to the ideas and the vision we have for the project. They are currently interested in a store front to rent and host the state’s science teachers for hands on workshops during the summer months.

New Business:

We had a new business to locate in Seymour in the old Sandwich Shoppe. He has a billing and collecting business for hospitals with additional offices located in Reno Nevada and Fort Collins Colorado. He plans to eventually move the Reno Business office to Seymour. He is generating new client business in our location by providing a collecting service to local rural hospitals. I arranged a meeting with him and the local hospital. He also has plans to open another type of business in Seymour and Vernon if he gets the franchise. It is one that will be beneficial to our community. He didn’t give the name of this future business to be broadcast until he has been successful in getting the franchise. Garrett Hall , the new business person, plans to be at our next communication’s meeting on the 14th. Also, I visited with a builder who wants to construct a much needed (these are his words) hotel/motel in Seymour. He said it wouldn’t take him long to build one. The only thing he was interested in was where the best location would be. He wanted to be in the same general location where a truck stop or restaurant would be built. This is in addition to the first group that has indicated they want to construct a motel also. Our chances look very good for at least one motel being built in Seymour.

Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute:

I just completed my third and final week long session in Oklahoma City on December 7th. It has really been good. I have picked up quite a few ideas that should be helpful for Seymour. There have also been some good contact relationships made at these meetings. I will take a test in the next year or so to be recognized as a National Certified Economic Developer. This is the only such certified training in the United States and Mexico that I am aware of . There are approximately sixty people from all areas of the United States to graduate this session. I am extremely grateful to the mayor and council for the opportunity to attend. My continual goal is to help Seymour grow.

Revolving Loan Grant:

I plan to apply for approximately a $200,000 or more grant in March. It will take some seed money from the Seymour Community Development Corp. and the City in order to be allowed to make the application to Rural Development. I plan on asking the SCDC and the City for $7500.00 each. The revolving loan will be used as a tool to make low interest loans to businesses. I foresee it as a supplement to individual businesses that have bankable loans. As loans are paid back , the money becomes ours to be used as we choose or to stay as a revolving loan account for the future. It is a tool we need to encourage business start ups in our community. I wanted to introduce you to this idea, and would welcome questions and thoughts concerning this grant.

There are always a number of projects in progress that might not be in this report. If you have any questions or advice, I urge you to call, or come by my office, anytime. As always, thank you for your support of the efforts of this office to strengthen our community’s future.

Chief of Police Department Tommy Duncan:

It has been a pretty quite month for December. The department handled 253 calls and we had an 81% clearance this month. The department made 24 arrests on offenses from assault to possession of controlled substance. The overview for the year 2006 was 3,900 calls for service with 476 offenses. I am also finalizing Emergency Management so Mr. Jerry Pruitt can take over as Emergency Management Coordinator.

Conchita Torrez – City Secretary:

Submitted her information in writing:
there were no questions for CS Torrez
.
Mayor Craighead asked Mr. Pruitt if he had any comments:

Jerry Pruitt - Emergency Management Coordinator:

I have made several meetings since I was presented with Chief Duncans job. I would like to thank Dennis Wilde for taking me under his wings and helping me out. I am scheduled to attend three(3) training sessions in the future. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you’ll and I look forward to reporting to you again.

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	2. Departmental Reports: Electric, Water/Sewer, Police, Street, R.O. Plant, Golf Complex, Economic Development Director and City Secretary. Brad Tilley- Electric Department Superintendent Superintendent Tilley was unavailable. Greg Shumate- Water/WW Superintendent Superintendent Shumate was unavailable. Ronnie Kolacek- Street Superintendent Superintendent Kolacek was unavailable. Rick Garcia – R.O. Plant Superintendent: Superintendent Garcia was unavailable John Studer- Economic Development Director: Here is the text of Mr. Studer’s written report: The projects this office is working on this month are: Beautification and Sidewalks: I received a long notification letter from TXDOT about the enhancement grant we applied for to build new Downtown sidewalks. They said there would be no funding for these type of grants. The Texas Department of Transportation has had 305 million dollars cut from their budget so far. They expect more budgetary cuts. They said they were forced to make reductions based upon priority. The Enhancement Program is low priority and reductions based upon priority and therefore funding was eliminated for it. I don’t know if TXDOT will offer this grant in the future. I don’t expect to see applications accepted for the next couple of years. TXDOT was real critical of the inconsistencies with Federal Funding. It was disappointing to me personally because I have spent so much time on this particular grant. I will research the Texas Department of Agriculture program for funding assistance for sidewalks. They are probably tied to Federal funding also. There have also made several adjustments to the way the local Street Lighting Program has been set up to simplify the process for the donors. All the money will flow through a special account in the City. Auditorium: I finally got the updated cost spread sheet for Architect Ralph Perkins. All the information has been forwarded to Shelly Green who will do the grant for the restoration project. The Jamboree will not be held in December, but, will resume on each fourth Saturday, starting in January. A big “Thank You” to Robert and Betty Patterson for their support in raising funds for the Auditorium. Highway 277 Corridor: I will continue to do follow up with businesses and land owners in the corridor area. We are waiting for a reply on the information we sent to Lawyer Paul Hayers about annexation of two submitted properties. We are also waiting for the “ok” from Mr. Hayers to use a form for annexation we found on the Texas Municipal League website. Fossils: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and Dr. Bakker were to be in Baylor County again on the same day we had the Wednesday snow storm. They were planning to bring the President of the Museum with them on this visit. I told them not to come. They seem to be very good to work with. They are receptive to the ideas and the vision we have for the project. They are currently interested in a store front to rent and host the state’s science teachers for hands on workshops during the summer months. New Business: We had a new business to locate in Seymour in the old Sandwich Shoppe. He has a billing and collecting business for hospitals with additional offices located in Reno Nevada and Fort Collins Colorado. He plans to eventually move the Reno Business office to Seymour. He is generating new client business in our location by providing a collecting service to local rural hospitals. I arranged a meeting with him and the local hospital. He also has plans to open another type of business in Seymour and Vernon if he gets the franchise. It is one that will be beneficial to our community. He didn’t give the name of this future business to be broadcast until he has been successful in getting the franchise. Garrett Hall , the new business person, plans to be at our next communication’s meeting on the 14th. Also, I visited with a builder who wants to construct a much needed (these are his words) hotel/motel in Seymour. He said it wouldn’t take him long to build one. The only thing he was interested in was where the best location would be. He wanted to be in the same general location where a truck stop or restaurant would be built. This is in addition to the first group that has indicated they want to construct a motel also. Our chances look very good for at least one motel being built in Seymour. Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute: I just completed my third and final week long session in Oklahoma City on December 7th. It has really been good. I have picked up quite a few ideas that should be helpful for Seymour. There have also been some good contact relationships made at these meetings. I will take a test in the next year or so to be recognized as a National Certified Economic Developer. This is the only such certified training in the United States and Mexico that I am aware of . There are approximately sixty people from all areas of the United States to graduate this session. I am extremely grateful to the mayor and council for the opportunity to attend. My continual goal is to help Seymour grow. Revolving Loan Grant: I plan to apply for approximately a $200,000 or more grant in March. It will take some seed money from the Seymour Community Development Corp. and the City in order to be allowed to make the application to Rural Development. I plan on asking the SCDC and the City for $7500.00 each. The revolving loan will be used as a tool to make low interest loans to businesses. I foresee it as a supplement to individual businesses that have bankable loans. As loans are paid back , the money becomes ours to be used as we choose or to stay as a revolving loan account for the future. It is a tool we need to encourage business start ups in our community. I wanted to introduce you to this idea, and would welcome questions and thoughts concerning this grant. There are always a number of projects in progress that might not be in this report. If you have any questions or advice, I urge you to call, or come by my office, anytime. As always, thank you for your support of the efforts of this office to strengthen our community’s future. Chief of Police Department Tommy Duncan: It has been a pretty quite month for December. The department handled 253 calls and we had an 81% clearance this month. The department made 24 arrests on offenses from assault to possession of controlled substance. The overview for the year 2006 was 3,900 calls for service with 476 offenses. I am also finalizing Emergency Management so Mr. Jerry Pruitt can take over as Emergency Management Coordinator. Conchita Torrez – City Secretary: Submitted her information in writing: there were no questions for CS Torrez . Mayor Craighead asked Mr. Pruitt if he had any comments: Jerry Pruitt - Emergency Management Coordinator: I have made several meetings since I was presented with Chief Duncans job. I would like to thank Dennis Wilde for taking me under his wings and helping me out. I am scheduled to attend three(3) training sessions in the future. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you’ll and I look forward to reporting to you again. Continue Next Page Return to Previous Page Return to Index - City of Seymour Secretary Office





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