seymour_cc_june_meetings 3-24-06

2. Council Member David Snyder
takes the Oath of Office from Mayor Craighead.

Council member David Snyder took his Oath of Office from Mayor Dan Craighead, after submitting the required Statement of Elected Official (commonly referred to as the ‘No Bribery’ Statement).

3. Departmental Reports:

Electric, Water, Sewer, Police, Street, R. 0. Plant, Golf Complex, Economic Development Director and City Secretary

Electric Department Superintendent Brad Tilley:

We’ve had a busy month with 81 work orders completed. We’ve also trimmed trees and replaced several cross-arms. Primary meter at Culvert Plant was replaced. This will save the system money on transformers. We are also getting numerous projects done toward the re-location of the utility in the Highway 277 Realignment area. The project to re-locate the utility lines is frequently stalling out due to requests for paper work and assorted red-tape.

Seymour Police Chief Tommy Duncan:

The City of Seymour Police Department has been very busy this month with 338 calls for service. There were 3 minor accidents and 31 arrests on various charges. There were 86 citations and warnings issued and we had 36 persons processed through the City of Seymour Holding Cell facility. I’ve been working on Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Currently, the cities that apply for grants for generators or for communications systems seem to get the grants. We only need one generator for the Baylor County Courthouse area, so we doubt we’ll qualify for a grant this year. We plan to continue with the ‘Regional’ approach through NORTEX. We’ve been working quite a bit on our Emergency Early Warning system. The siren on the South end of town is now up and operable.

Economic Development Department Director John W. Studer:

I’ve been visited by several interesting persons this month. I’ve started working on our ‘Main Street’ grant application as well.

Also, other projects this office is working on this month are:

Fossils:
This is one of the most intriguing projects I have ever worked with. I don’t know if it will have the profit but it could make our location more nationally known. To the paleontologists we are at the center of the beginning of animal life. We have to make this an important educational type tourism spot. With the visit from Houston folks we have made a great first step. We look forward to their next visit.

Beautification and Sidewalks:
I believe we are working every angle to target this type of construction to benefit the people of Seymour. There was an article in last week’s BANNER on this topic. Sidewalks are very costly and the City cannot undertake such a project without financial aid from an outside source. I have submitted the TXDOT application for a section of Washington Street. It will be in September or later before we know if we are accepted. I will be glad to discuss our endeavors and what it will take to get new sidewalks here, if you need more information.

Auditorium:
The Auditorium account has had another $368 added to it because of the May Music Jamboree. We now have $2913.56 in the account at the Farmers National Bank. I sent an e-mail to the grant writer this week to encourage her to start the grant application. I told her I envision myself soon being tarred and feathered by the supporters of this project; if they didn’t begin to see some results. The Jamboree also had a record crowd of 120 people for the month of May. The next Jamboree will be at the Parish Hall on the regular fourth Saturday due to the fact that the Portwood is leased out to family reunions over the summer months.

Miscellaneous:
My office arranged the local meeting for U.S. Representative Thornberry. There were thirty people in attendance. The representative was very pleased with the meeting. I want to thank Ms.Lillie Mae Novak for donating the kolaches for the reception. Also, I continue to research firms that could possibly locate on the new realignment corridor. The new highway corridor requires a lot of attention. We have to work toward annexation, zoning and planning for the development of this area.

City Secretary Elaine Simpson:

submitted her information in writing: there were no questions for CS Simpson.

4. Authorize and approve the bid for sewer system materials, according to bid specifications drawn up by City Engineer Ken Martin; required by ‘City Park area sewer improvements’ grant project - Texas Community Development Project contract # 725791.

CA Shephard and Mayor Craighead explained that Ken Martin, PE, our City Engineer under contract, recommended that the City award this bid to Plastic Wholesales.

Motion:

Motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest to award the bid for sewer system materials according to bid specifications drawn up by City Engineer Ken Martin; required by ‘City Park area sewer improvements’ grant project - Texas Community Development Project contract # 725791 to Plastic Wholesales Plumbing supplies.

Bid documents are attached to Meeting minutes as Attachment ‘A’.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

5. Approve Resolution formally adopting list
of citizens qualifying for HOME Grant.

Ms. Karen Allison from GRANTWORKS spoke about the bid process for the homes themselves. She explained that the applications processing and the qualifying process is done from another department of GRANTWORKS, so she can only state that the individuals listed have qualified and the environmental assessments of their properties has been completed by GRANTWORKS. Regarding the actual building of the homes – there has been a glitch in the process because all the contractors (no local construction firms bid this project), bid too high. The grant doesn’t provide the money to build the homes as bid by the contractors, even the ‘low bid’ contractor, because they bid too high. There were three bidders. There are several options, the State can be approached to grant more money to these homes, or the bidders can be asked to re-bid, or the City of Seymour can contribute money. Since I understand that this is a tornado relief grant, there is not money from the City budgeted for this. There is no doubt at this time that the homes will not be able to be brick, the bids are cost-prohibitive for brick, but the homes may be made of Hardi-Plank. The Hardi-Plank siding is a lower cost, but equally beneficial building material as brick. Home owners would be able to choose which Hardi-Plank color. Hardi-Plank requires future painting but not for 10-15 years. Councilman Snyder agreed that Hardi-Plank was a good product and looks like wood. It is also highly rated by insurance because it is a concrete product. It doesn’t change shape or deteriorate in the weather like old style siding used to do.

It was determined by acclamation that the Council wished Mrs. Allison to go the State of Texas first for additional money, or request re-distribution of the money, then approach the contractors for re-bids.

Motion:
Motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest, to approve Resolution formally adopting list of citizens qualifying for HOME Grant.

Vote on the Motion:
passed unanimously.

6. Approve building contractor for the HOME Grant project, as recommended by GRANTWORKS, consultants under contract.

Ms. Allison explained that the bids are actually not approved by Council, each homeowner will contract with a builder and the contract will be between the homeowner and the contractor. This item was declared ‘no action’.

REGULAR MEETING ENDS – PUBLIC HEARING(S) at 7:24 pm.

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	2. Council Member David Snyder takes the Oath of Office from Mayor Craighead. Council member David Snyder took his Oath of Office from Mayor Dan Craighead, after submitting the required Statement of Elected Official (commonly referred to as the ‘No Bribery’ Statement). 3. Departmental Reports: Electric, Water, Sewer, Police, Street, R. 0. Plant, Golf Complex, Economic Development Director and City Secretary Electric Department Superintendent Brad Tilley: We’ve had a busy month with 81 work orders completed. We’ve also trimmed trees and replaced several cross-arms. Primary meter at Culvert Plant was replaced. This will save the system money on transformers. We are also getting numerous projects done toward the re-location of the utility in the Highway 277 Realignment area. The project to re-locate the utility lines is frequently stalling out due to requests for paper work and assorted red-tape. Seymour Police Chief Tommy Duncan: The City of Seymour Police Department has been very busy this month with 338 calls for service. There were 3 minor accidents and 31 arrests on various charges. There were 86 citations and warnings issued and we had 36 persons processed through the City of Seymour Holding Cell facility. I’ve been working on Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Currently, the cities that apply for grants for generators or for communications systems seem to get the grants. We only need one generator for the Baylor County Courthouse area, so we doubt we’ll qualify for a grant this year. We plan to continue with the ‘Regional’ approach through NORTEX. We’ve been working quite a bit on our Emergency Early Warning system. The siren on the South end of town is now up and operable. Economic Development Department Director John W. Studer: I’ve been visited by several interesting persons this month. I’ve started working on our ‘Main Street’ grant application as well. Also, other projects this office is working on this month are: Fossils: This is one of the most intriguing projects I have ever worked with. I don’t know if it will have the profit but it could make our location more nationally known. To the paleontologists we are at the center of the beginning of animal life. We have to make this an important educational type tourism spot. With the visit from Houston folks we have made a great first step. We look forward to their next visit. Beautification and Sidewalks: I believe we are working every angle to target this type of construction to benefit the people of Seymour. There was an article in last week’s BANNER on this topic. Sidewalks are very costly and the City cannot undertake such a project without financial aid from an outside source. I have submitted the TXDOT application for a section of Washington Street. It will be in September or later before we know if we are accepted. I will be glad to discuss our endeavors and what it will take to get new sidewalks here, if you need more information. Auditorium: The Auditorium account has had another $368 added to it because of the May Music Jamboree. We now have $2913.56 in the account at the Farmers National Bank. I sent an e-mail to the grant writer this week to encourage her to start the grant application. I told her I envision myself soon being tarred and feathered by the supporters of this project; if they didn’t begin to see some results. The Jamboree also had a record crowd of 120 people for the month of May. The next Jamboree will be at the Parish Hall on the regular fourth Saturday due to the fact that the Portwood is leased out to family reunions over the summer months. Miscellaneous: My office arranged the local meeting for U.S. Representative Thornberry. There were thirty people in attendance. The representative was very pleased with the meeting. I want to thank Ms.Lillie Mae Novak for donating the kolaches for the reception. Also, I continue to research firms that could possibly locate on the new realignment corridor. The new highway corridor requires a lot of attention. We have to work toward annexation, zoning and planning for the development of this area. City Secretary Elaine Simpson: submitted her information in writing: there were no questions for CS Simpson. 4. Authorize and approve the bid for sewer system materials, according to bid specifications drawn up by City Engineer Ken Martin; required by ‘City Park area sewer improvements’ grant project - Texas Community Development Project contract # 725791. CA Shephard and Mayor Craighead explained that Ken Martin, PE, our City Engineer under contract, recommended that the City award this bid to Plastic Wholesales. Motion: Motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest to award the bid for sewer system materials according to bid specifications drawn up by City Engineer Ken Martin; required by ‘City Park area sewer improvements’ grant project - Texas Community Development Project contract # 725791 to Plastic Wholesales Plumbing supplies. Bid documents are attached to Meeting minutes as Attachment ‘A’. Vote on the Motion: passed unanimously. 5. Approve Resolution formally adopting list of citizens qualifying for HOME Grant. Ms. Karen Allison from GRANTWORKS spoke about the bid process for the homes themselves. She explained that the applications processing and the qualifying process is done from another department of GRANTWORKS, so she can only state that the individuals listed have qualified and the environmental assessments of their properties has been completed by GRANTWORKS. Regarding the actual building of the homes – there has been a glitch in the process because all the contractors (no local construction firms bid this project), bid too high. The grant doesn’t provide the money to build the homes as bid by the contractors, even the ‘low bid’ contractor, because they bid too high. There were three bidders. There are several options, the State can be approached to grant more money to these homes, or the bidders can be asked to re-bid, or the City of Seymour can contribute money. Since I understand that this is a tornado relief grant, there is not money from the City budgeted for this. There is no doubt at this time that the homes will not be able to be brick, the bids are cost-prohibitive for brick, but the homes may be made of Hardi-Plank. The Hardi-Plank siding is a lower cost, but equally beneficial building material as brick. Home owners would be able to choose which Hardi-Plank color. Hardi-Plank requires future painting but not for 10-15 years. Councilman Snyder agreed that Hardi-Plank was a good product and looks like wood. It is also highly rated by insurance because it is a concrete product. It doesn’t change shape or deteriorate in the weather like old style siding used to do. It was determined by acclamation that the Council wished Mrs. Allison to go the State of Texas first for additional money, or request re-distribution of the money, then approach the contractors for re-bids. Motion: Motion by Councilman Snyder, 2nd by Councilwoman Fest, to approve Resolution formally adopting list of citizens qualifying for HOME Grant. Vote on the Motion: passed unanimously. 6. Approve building contractor for the HOME Grant project, as recommended by GRANTWORKS, consultants under contract. Ms. Allison explained that the bids are actually not approved by Council, each homeowner will contract with a builder and the contract will be between the homeowner and the contractor. This item was declared ‘no action’. REGULAR MEETING ENDS – PUBLIC HEARING(S) at 7:24 pm. Continue Next Page Pervious Page Return to Index - City of Seymour Secretary Office





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