Council: Water tank repair to begin
The Friona city council met in regular session Monday January 13, 2014 in council chambers at 619 Main St. Councilman Bruce Fleming was out of town and not present.
New member Nancy Davis was sworn in for her first meeting since being appointed to fill the seat vacated by Charlie Pope who resigned late last year. Cris Ingram was appointed to represent the city on Farm Service Agency votes.
During discussion of accounts payable, city manager Patricia Phipps pointed out the city paid $1400 to haul off 31,000 pounds of used tires collected by the city for recycle. The container for used tires is located at the city barn.
The council approved transferring of funds in the amount of $329,672.00 for a February bond payment. Repair of the north water tank will begin soon. The tank located north on County Road 19 will be out of service for about six weeks resulting in lower water pressure for some customers in the north part of the city.
A 13-foot variance at 1021 Pierce for a fence was approved. The location is at Gato’s Truck Repair. Another variance of 16-feet for building a carport was approved at 1212 Washington at the residence of Gary and Mercedes Williams. A request to install a mobile home at 1115 E. 6th was discussed but no action was taken.
Approval was given to join the Association of Xcel Municipalities, a joint group of cities combining to protest the rate increase by SPS/Xcel Energy. Phipps said the cost is $200 and will save each city legal fees.
Police Chief Frank Mooney gave a department report. In December there were six arrests, one DWI, one marijuana, and four warrant arrests. He also reported burglaries with $1,600 taken, 77 traffic stops, five thefts, and six suspicious vehicle reports. A new police vehicle should be delivered by January 20. It is a Ford Interceptor SUV assigned to Lt. Isidro Jimenez.
Chief Mooney said plans are for new tile throughout the police station. A firm from Amarillo has been contracted for the job. Recruit Andrew Aguirre will begin the police academy at Amarillo College January 21. He will graduate in August and join the Friona police department as an officer.
The next meeting of the city council will be Monday, February 10, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at 619 Main St. All council meetings are open to the public. If you have a specific item that requires action by the council it needs to be on the official meeting agenda. Information available at city hall.
