Seymour City Council Meeting - January 18, 2007 Page 2

2. Departmental Reports

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

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.

Golf Course Superintendent Missie Hargrove:

Superintendent Hardgrove was unavailable.

Chief of Seymour Police Department, Tommy Duncan:

Tommy reported that the department answered 346 calls and investigated 7 minor traffic accidents this past month. There were 24 arrests made including, attempted aggravated kidnapping, driving while intoxicated, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. They issued 149 citations and warnings, 56 of which were for speeding over the posted limit. The Code Compliance Officer sent out 35 compliance request letters and made 49 citizen contacts. He tagged 18 junk vehicles and re-checked another 38 and has abated 5 of them so far. He has completed 35 property inspections and has sent out 12 compliance request letters for high weeds and other debris. Tommy also reported that they are scheduled to have their annual storm spotter training on February 13th at 6pm at the Salt Fork River Estates.

Economic Development Director, John Studer:

John gave an overview of his department report that had previously been submitted to the Council in writing.

The report is as follows:

The time period which this report covers, from prior to Christmas to first part of the New Year, is usually the slow part of the year. It has been the opposite of that. It has been a promising start for our community in 2007.

The projects this office is working on this month are:

Fossils:

The Houston Museum of Natural Science and the coordinator of the activity, David Temple, confirmed that they are going to have major presences here in 2007. They have worked out a legal agreement with the landowner and now have HMNS board approval to develop the fossil beds to the north of Seymour. He said the program we have been pushing since the beginning which is educational tourism would be a major part of their plans. They have plans to bring a multitude of university students and science teachers for a “hands on” training experience. They are looking for dormitory facilities, purchasing a house for University employees, and a Museum and cleaning facility. They also plan to bring a soil specialist from the Smithsonian to work on the project. They are planning to bring the Museum grant writer on the next trip to Seymour in February. I am very interested in meeting this person since I have already started a grant search for funds to build or purchase a museum facility. They said they would also do a lot to promote our town through major publications. We have a great opportunity to bring a lot of people into out community, and we need to capitalize upon it. I also anticipate that we will be able to work with the astronomy group at Crowell on promoting regional (educational) tourism. It is truly a buried treasure that is in our own back yard.

Tower Extrusion:

I had a very interesting conversation with the CEO/owner of this company around the end of last month. I was tracking down the rumor that Wichita Fall was talking to them about the company’s future expansion plans. Mark McClelland told me they had only been talking to us and the expansion (which I think will be close to $18 to $20 million) to Seymour looks favorable. They would make a more definite decision at their stockholder / board meeting on January 19th. Since then I have heard through some of their plant management that they have purchased or ordered a press for the Seymour location. Indications present a very favorable picture for Seymour. There will be a lot to do such as applying for a Capital Fund grant and job fairs. This is a very sound business with a long creditable history. It appears to be a perfect business to have for Seymour. I really feel good about this project. It all hinges around the very
expensive extrusion press.

Wind Turbines:

The office for the Hillard Energy group has closed in Seymour. I was trying to find out the probable cause for that. Representative Hardcastle office said it was probably because Florida Power and Light had a new CEO who was requiring more justification from wind studies from our area. They will require one year of wind data before the next step of construction is plan. Airtricity already has a year of data on wind velocity and according to the local connection to this company, the wind has been more favorable than anticipated. He said Airtricity had targeted their phase one wind farm, which will consist of approximately one hundred towers, to be built in March, 2008. This phase will be mostly located in Baylor County.

Midwestern State University’s Dillard College of Business:

Joe Shephard and I meet with Six Department Professors on January 3rd at MSU. The Dillard College mission includes assistance to the region surrounding Wichita Falls. We were interested in what services they would provide and if they could help us with any of the economic problems that are inherent to our rural community. I am interested in labor surveys which include commuting data. I am also concerned about the sales tax revenues which Wichita Falls receives and are attributed to our residents who shop and purchase goods and services in WF. I would like to have this data dollar value to approach Wichita Falls about promoting the outlying counties that make up the economic region. The WF region is one of the few areas in Texas that doesn’t have a Regional Economic Alliance group that supports and promotes economic and community growth within the region. I believe we are very important to the economic vitality of Wichita Falls. We need to receive back some services that will promote our own economic vitality. It was a very good meeting and they expressed a sincere willingness to assist us. As to their immediate suggestions, I think we have already targeted many of the ways we can grow economically. Our weakest link is money and the source of funding to finance such growth. They said they didn’t have any kind of graduate program to assist in applying for grants.

Highway 277 Corridor:

Two of the prospective businesses in the corridor area have said they wanted to be in the same general location as where the other businesses plan to build. I have talked to the prospective truck stop owner and encouraged him to take this into account when picking a location. We also have an opportunity to build a creamery for the Crowell Dairy. I have contacted an investor on this proposed business. I have also had another request for annexation in the FM 422 area. However, we are still waiting on annexation information requests from Attorney Paul Hayers.

New County Judge:

I met with Co. Judge Rogers and gave her an overview of some of the projects we were trying to accomplish. I encouraged her interaction and the need for her help on some of these projects. She was invited and urged to attend the monthly communications meetings.

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.

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	2. Departmental Reports Electric, Water, Sewer, Police, Street, R.O. Plant, Golf Complex, Economic Development Director, City Secretary and City Administrator 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. Golf Course Superintendent Missie Hargrove: Superintendent Hardgrove was unavailable. Chief of Seymour Police Department, Tommy Duncan: Tommy reported that the department answered 346 calls and investigated 7 minor traffic accidents this past month. There were 24 arrests made including, attempted aggravated kidnapping, driving while intoxicated, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. They issued 149 citations and warnings, 56 of which were for speeding over the posted limit. The Code Compliance Officer sent out 35 compliance request letters and made 49 citizen contacts. He tagged 18 junk vehicles and re-checked another 38 and has abated 5 of them so far. He has completed 35 property inspections and has sent out 12 compliance request letters for high weeds and other debris. Tommy also reported that they are scheduled to have their annual storm spotter training on February 13th at 6pm at the Salt Fork River Estates. Economic Development Director, John Studer: John gave an overview of his department report that had previously been submitted to the Council in writing. The report is as follows: The time period which this report covers, from prior to Christmas to first part of the New Year, is usually the slow part of the year. It has been the opposite of that. It has been a promising start for our community in 2007. The projects this office is working on this month are: Fossils: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and the coordinator of the activity, David Temple, confirmed that they are going to have major presences here in 2007. They have worked out a legal agreement with the landowner and now have HMNS board approval to develop the fossil beds to the north of Seymour. He said the program we have been pushing since the beginning which is educational tourism would be a major part of their plans. They have plans to bring a multitude of university students and science teachers for a “hands on” training experience. They are looking for dormitory facilities, purchasing a house for University employees, and a Museum and cleaning facility. They also plan to bring a soil specialist from the Smithsonian to work on the project. They are planning to bring the Museum grant writer on the next trip to Seymour in February. I am very interested in meeting this person since I have already started a grant search for funds to build or purchase a museum facility. They said they would also do a lot to promote our town through major publications. We have a great opportunity to bring a lot of people into out community, and we need to capitalize upon it. I also anticipate that we will be able to work with the astronomy group at Crowell on promoting regional (educational) tourism. It is truly a buried treasure that is in our own back yard. Tower Extrusion: I had a very interesting conversation with the CEO/owner of this company around the end of last month. I was tracking down the rumor that Wichita Fall was talking to them about the company’s future expansion plans. Mark McClelland told me they had only been talking to us and the expansion (which I think will be close to $18 to $20 million) to Seymour looks favorable. They would make a more definite decision at their stockholder / board meeting on January 19th. Since then I have heard through some of their plant management that they have purchased or ordered a press for the Seymour location. Indications present a very favorable picture for Seymour. There will be a lot to do such as applying for a Capital Fund grant and job fairs. This is a very sound business with a long creditable history. It appears to be a perfect business to have for Seymour. I really feel good about this project. It all hinges around the very expensive extrusion press. Wind Turbines: The office for the Hillard Energy group has closed in Seymour. I was trying to find out the probable cause for that. Representative Hardcastle office said it was probably because Florida Power and Light had a new CEO who was requiring more justification from wind studies from our area. They will require one year of wind data before the next step of construction is plan. Airtricity already has a year of data on wind velocity and according to the local connection to this company, the wind has been more favorable than anticipated. He said Airtricity had targeted their phase one wind farm, which will consist of approximately one hundred towers, to be built in March, 2008. This phase will be mostly located in Baylor County. Midwestern State University’s Dillard College of Business: Joe Shephard and I meet with Six Department Professors on January 3rd at MSU. The Dillard College mission includes assistance to the region surrounding Wichita Falls. We were interested in what services they would provide and if they could help us with any of the economic problems that are inherent to our rural community. I am interested in labor surveys which include commuting data. I am also concerned about the sales tax revenues which Wichita Falls receives and are attributed to our residents who shop and purchase goods and services in WF. I would like to have this data dollar value to approach Wichita Falls about promoting the outlying counties that make up the economic region. The WF region is one of the few areas in Texas that doesn’t have a Regional Economic Alliance group that supports and promotes economic and community growth within the region. I believe we are very important to the economic vitality of Wichita Falls. We need to receive back some services that will promote our own economic vitality. It was a very good meeting and they expressed a sincere willingness to assist us. As to their immediate suggestions, I think we have already targeted many of the ways we can grow economically. Our weakest link is money and the source of funding to finance such growth. They said they didn’t have any kind of graduate program to assist in applying for grants. Highway 277 Corridor: Two of the prospective businesses in the corridor area have said they wanted to be in the same general location as where the other businesses plan to build. I have talked to the prospective truck stop owner and encouraged him to take this into account when picking a location. We also have an opportunity to build a creamery for the Crowell Dairy. I have contacted an investor on this proposed business. I have also had another request for annexation in the FM 422 area. However, we are still waiting on annexation information requests from Attorney Paul Hayers. New County Judge: I met with Co. Judge Rogers and gave her an overview of some of the projects we were trying to accomplish. I encouraged her interaction and the need for her help on some of these projects. She was invited and urged to attend the monthly communications meetings. 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. Continue Next Page Return to Previous Page Return to Index - City of Seymour Secretary Office





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