by Ricky White
September started with a big bang getting ready for Labor Day, Kid Fish and finally Maize Days. The cemetery, all parks, Reeve Lake, Redeemer Center, wells, well plants, and sewer plant were mowed and weeded twice and some three times. The city looked great for Maize Days. Mowing will be slowing down and the public works employee’s will be concentrating on grading the alleys. Some of the alleys are completed but with the recent rain, the alleys will have to be worked again.
The public works employees have mowed a lot for the past 5 months. They are glad that it has slowed down. They did a great job on the Post Office Lot and the State Park. They will be repairing nine water angle valves that are leaking. The angle valve is located in the alley of every residents home that is the cut off valve for water entering the home. At times, the residents will take it upon themselves to remove the city’s cover and turn the water off, make their repairs and turning the water back on. The angle valves are very sensitive and if turned with a lot of pressure, they will begin to leak. If you have a need to turn your water off at the alley, please call the city office for service. It is best if residents installed a cut/off valve for their personal use. The cost of replacing these valves could be at the owner’s expense. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
City Manager Patricia Phipps and Alderman Martha Barker attended the Texas Municipal League Conference in San Antonio, TX. It has been a couple of years since Friona had representation at this conference. Thanks to Patricia and Martha for going to represent Friona.
The City has received numerous compliments in regards to the new brick installed outside the city office. Renovation on the inside of the city office will begin shortly. The floors will receive ceramic tile and the walls will be textured and painted.
Judge Campbell had 26 new cases in September and two new juvenile cases filed. There were 85 cases disposed and a total of $7,737.34 collected in fines. There were two community services ordered.
The Emergency Medical Services responded to 37 total calls in September. There were 11 calls for 911, 20 calls for transfer and six calls ended with a no transport. There was $12,702.67 collected.
The city pumped 19,828,100 gallons of water for September. There were a total of 1435 accounts billed for a total of $121,145.39. September recorded the cities best month on water sales for this fiscal year.
The city’s accounts payable totaled $336,290.45. The money spent covers all of our bills and keeps us in good standing.
Chief Jimenez and the police department responded to 294 total calls for September. There were a total of 141 stops made: 122 warnings issued and 30 citations handed out. There were 12 arrests-six for no drivers license, two for warrants, two for assault, one for driving while license invalid and one for factitious registration. Chief Jimenez has hired two more officers to fill vacancies, officer Coleman Spinhirne and officer Rodney Stevens. We would like to welcome these two officers to the law enforcement team.
The Volunteer Fire Department responded to four calls in September. Three grass fires, one at the Rio Dairy (cotton burs on fire), a grass fire eight miles south on Highway 214 and one grass fire at Hub. There was one wreck 1 ½ miles north on Highway 214.
Lastly, another year is in the books and the city of Friona is doing very well. I would like to thank the City Council members (Greg Lewellen, Nancy Davis, Bruce Fleming, Martha Barker and Alan Monroe) for their dedication, service and their involvement in making good decisions for our citizens and community. Also, a big thanks to City Manager Patricia Phipps for guiding us through another successful year. We look forward to a successful 2015-2016 year.
Your Mayor
