2. Departmental Reports

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

Electric Department Superintendent Brad Tilley:

was unavailable.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent Greg Shumate:

was unavailable.

Chief of Seymour Police Department Tommy Duncan:

We answered 394 calls for service and investigated 49 offenses this past month. There were several misdeameanor and felony arrests made including Burglary of a motor vehicle, D.W.I., making alcohol available to a minor, manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, theft and forgery.

Several warnings and citations were issued and we investigated 5 minor traffic accidents.
Our K-9 assisted with several vehicle searches this month. I attended the mandated chiefs training last week along with 64 other police chief across the state. Among other topics, critical incident training was the main curriculum of the week. The Bocce Ball competition last month went well and was a lot of fun. We had about 90 athletes that took home many metals for their hard work.

Halloween is quickly approaching and once again we will be in front of the police department from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., handing out candy and glow in the dark safety bracelets to all the kids.

Street Department Superintendent Ronnie Kolacek:

was unavailable.

Water Production Superintendent Rick 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:

We are still waiting on notification from the Texas Department of Transportation as to whether or not we will receive the approximate $175,000 for the sidewalk assistance grant from their Enhancement Program. Street Lights can now be purchased for memorials or just as a donation to the down-town beautification efforts. The cost of one street light will be $328.00 ($8.00 for the engraved plate). The price figure was established by Ms. Bobbie Loving. You can order one by calling Bobbie Loving at 889-4018, Conchita Torrez or John W. Studer at 889-3148. The City Light and Street Departments will install the lights.

Auditorium:

I finally got to meet with architect Ralph Perkins after several attempts. We met at 8 o’clock Wednesday night. It was a very good meeting; it was one that should have happened many months ago. He is going to update all the cost estimates for the restoration of the auditorium. We discussed the feasibility of an ADA ramp to the north stage door. This will be accomplished by utilizing part of the Chamber of Commerce’s office space. He has to come back to inspect the flooring structure, which is right above the west portion of the business office, to see if it can be modified for the additional bathrooms. After he gets the cost spread sheets for the restoration project completed, it will be turned over to Shelly Green who is writing the grant . I will present those estimates to the Council as I receive them from Ralph Perkins. It is past time to getting this project under way.

Highway 277 Corridor:

This area holds great opportunity for our community. The people doing a truck stop and eatery tell me they are drawing plans for this venture, and trying to decide exactly where the best location will be. There is a businessman from Wichita Falls who is very interested in opening up a specialty truck tire shop next to a truck stop on the re-route. He has visited my office twice and said he wanted to be within the City limits because of lower insurance rates. There is a local group whom I am working with who says they are going to build a nice motel in the corridor area. I had a local doctor come to my office who wants to invest in one of these businesses which is attempting to locate along the new highway corridor. I tried to contact Mike Stavens who manages the Dollar General Store about a conversation he had with Clifton Talley that Dollar General was planning to build a new store in the corridor. He was on vacation this week. I have sent informational letters to Town and Country Convenience Stores and to Fred’s Stores Inc. telling them about our new growth corridor. Fred’s Stores is a retail chain that is larger than Dollar General , but smaller than Wal-Mart. They are opening a new store in Jacksboro. I got the name of their main contract person from Jacksboro’ Economic Board chairman. I talked to another property owner in the corridor area who has expressed interest in being annexed.

Downtown Business:

I researched the permitting requirements of opening restaurant type business in Seymour for a couple who retired here less than two years ago. They said they have made up their mind to open one patterned after the “Sandwich Shoppe”.

Speaker:

I spoke at the School Reunion Dinner. Updated the group on what was going on in the community. I encouraged them to retire in Seymour and to buy into the downtown lighting program.

Jamboree:

The Jamboree contributed $500 during the Seymour School Reunion weekend to the
City Hall Auditorium. They have moved the jamboree to the Styles Activity Center because
they have currently outgrown the Portwood Pavilion.

Mesquite Fuel:

I have had contact with two groups that are trying to develop the two technologies of making electricity and ethanol from mesquite. One group has already started construction of a plant in Hamlin to supply electricity and steam to the dog food factory in that location. They have plans to build six plants in the counties to the south of us. I encouraged this group to also look at Seymour.

Allies Golf Scramble:

This fifth annual event put on by my department had 39 golfers to play and 53 persons to attend the event. We secured $2150.00 of sponsorships to put on the event and cater lunch and dinner. Also had Dr. Anthony Chelte to speak to the group about what Midwestern State University offers the communities of region as far as business support services. I really believed everyone had a real good time except for the team that got stuck with me as one of their playing partners.

There are also 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.


Interim City Secretary Conchita Torrez:

Reminding the public that October 31, 2006, is Halloween. The siren will sound at 6:00 p.m., to begin trick-or-treat, and sound at 8:00 p.m., to end. Please be careful due to a lot of children out and about.

There were no questions for ICS Torrez.

3.
Receive information, Discuss and Take action regarding City of Seymour’s Legal Obligation in reference to burned building, Home Treasures - 114 N. Washington Street.

Mr. Edward Gaines , representing the Baylor County Library and Mr. Bill Culver representing Bill Culver Insurance addressed the council concerning the building known as Home Treasures, 114 N. Washington Street. The council was presented with information and discussed the legal options concerning the burned building . After a lengthy discussion , the council gave City Administrator Joe Shephard, the authorization to get with some structural engineers to come look at the building along with a demolition crew to give a figure on how much it would cost to condemn and remove the building.

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