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Citizens berate council

By Cindy Perry / cindyperry@alpineavalanche.com

Alpine City Council members plunged into a long list of ordinances Tuesday night after getting their ears burned by citizens complaining about the city’s proposed 2008-09 operating budget.

During a public hearing on the budget, Katie Elms, Anita DeVries, Jack McNamara and Peter Smyke took the lectern, one after the other, to berate the council and city officials over what the citizens described variously as a “pie in the sky” document, a wish list and wasteful in a time of economic difficulties nationwide.

The speakers urged council members to re-review the budget, get out their red pens and strike duplicative or excessive spending without harming services that help Alpine residents. Among the items the four speakers cited as wasteful were: Overtime for administrators, Christmas decorations costing $10,000, the entire police budget, animal control salaries and 5 percent pay raises for city employees.

When it came time for council members to approve the first reading of the budget ordinance, they decided to call a special meeting for next Tuesday to hammer out budget details. They urged as many Alpine residents as possible to attend that meeting, to speak for or against various projects.

Another major item concerned granting a franchise to Southwest Texas Municipal Gas Corp. Hal Craig, chairman of the company’s board of directors, suggested a couple of changes in the ordinance language. Any changes must also be approved by the Marfa City Council under terms of the two cities’ interlocal agreement. After some discussion, the council postponed action on the franchise until the language could be corrected.

Council members finally approved an item that’s been on several agendas — setting a format for annual evaluations of the city manager, city attorney, city secretary and Municipal Court judge. Only Councilwoman Diana Asgeirsson opposed the motion; she favored quarterly evaluations.

The meeting wasn’t all about budgets and complaints.

Councilwoman Johanna Nelson reported on last weekend’s “Vision for Alpine” public meeting and barbecue.

“We had a great turnout,” Nelson said, “and got about 100 different ideas on how to work to improve the city.” She handed each council member a packet of citizen comments, and several people in the audience praised the meeting, saying they hoped more like it would be held.

In other action, the council:

Approved the graffiti abatement ordinance after Councilman Avinash Rangra emphasized the need for police to enforce the new law.

Approved creation of the Environmental Advisory Board to consist of six citizens appointed by each council member and the mayor.

Passed two zoning ordinances concerning residential areas. The first sets new 10-foot restrictions on clearance and roof overhang between residential buildings; the second toughens the law on how modular/manufactured homes are placed on a lot.

Approved, on first reading of the ordinance, placing 20 mph speed limit signs on one side of Peach Tree Street; Brewster County owns the other half of the street. Rangra opposed the motion because he’s seeking an ordinance to establish 20 mph limits on all city streets except for state and federal highways.

Approved initial reading of an ordinance designating a loading/unloading zone at 115 North 6th St.

Approved first reading of the ordinance setting a tax levy for FY 2008-08; it will remain the same as last year’s.

Named Anita DeVries to the Airport Advisory Board for Ward 1.

Delayed action on awarding the Centennial Park restroom project because the bidder withdrew his proposal.

Discussed at length the city laws pertaining to classification of debris and enforcement procedures. Oscar Cobos, who has power of attorney for an elderly man, had complained about the city seizing three vehicles from the man’s property. City Manager Chuy Garcia told Cobos that the property was removed under state law governing abandoned vehicles.

Cobos agreed to further discuss the issue to see whether a settlement can be reached.

Heard in the public/council comment period from Ken West praising Nelson and ReViva Collective for their “Vision for Alpine” project; from Jeff Milam of ReViva Collective about the need for a follow-up to that meeting; from DeVries about the city’s need to confer with Brewster County over its chosen site for a proposed new fire station; from Asgeirsson about helping refugees from the Presidio/Ojinaga flooding by abating the city’s hotel-motel tax or persuading hotels and motels to cut rates for those in need; from Nelson about complaints over city debris left in front of residences.

Floods ravage border

As rains continue and the Luis Leon reservoir continues to release water, flooding in Brewster and Presidio counties worsened this week.

Plane wreckage found in Mexico; no survivors

Avalanche staff

Citizens berate council

Alpine City Council members plunged into a long list of ordinances Tuesday night after getting their ears burned by citizens complaining about the city’s proposed 2008-09 operating budget.