Alpine debates donation issue

A long list of housekeeping issues — zoning changes, grants, abandoned vehicles, appointments, funding requests and such — had the Alpine City Council moving from one agenda item to another Tuesday night.

In the wake of last week’s adoption of a balanced budget, council members also were wary about donating money that may not be in the bank, asking Gallery Night/ArtWalk officials Keri Artzt and John Green detailed questions about their request for $15,000 to help advertise next month’s event.

Artzt and Green were emphatic that any hotel/motel tax money ArtWalk received from the city would not be spent on local advertising — something Councilman Gerald Raun was emphatic about. Councilman Avinash Rangra was glad to hear the city’s logo appears on ArtWalk advertising; several times, he’s voiced irritation that many groups receiving city money never give the city credit.

Before the council, in Councilman Manuel Payne’s absence, approved a $10,000 present to Gallery Night/ArtWalk, Councilwoman Diana Asgeirsson thought that in fairness to other groups, the council should put a cap on donations or distribute them equally.

“But not all organizations are equal,” Rangra said. “This organization has done wonderful things with the city’s money over the years. It’s very good advertising for the city. Yes, we can put a limit, but in the meantime I think we ought to give Gallery Night our assurance.”

Raun wanted an amendment to Rangra’s motion for approval to say if it passed, ArtWalk would provide the city details of where the money was spent. Artzt and Green had no problem with that.

“The money we get from you, we will prove” where it’s spent, Artzt said. “We give money to all the [area] school districts, we’re not giving your money away.”

The council did postpone an item that would have set a cap on monetary gifts to organizations because Raun and Rangra didn’t like the agenda’s wording.

The council approved another financial item — dedicating 75 percent of revenue in excess of the budgeted $6.295 million in FY 2008-09 to improve city infrastructure and putting the remainder in reserve — but not until passing an amendment to set a moratorium on hiring, and having any potential new hires brought before the council.

In other action, council members:

--Heard J.R. Smith, Alpine Chamber of Commerce manager, give an update on talks he’s had with Union Pacific officials about local entities buying the old train station for use as a historical museum, gift shop, deli, coffee shop and Amtrak ticket station, while building UP a new station on city property further from downtown. Smith said a representative from UP will be in town before the end of the month to discuss ideas.

--Heard John Horeman of West Texas Food Bank discuss the need for another food pantry in Alpine; before August, there were two at churches but now there is only the food pantry at First United Methodist Church. He asked council members to consider finding a large room or small warehouse for that purpose.

--Heard a presentation from Twin Peaks 4-H Club, whose members distributed goodie bags to the council.

--Approved the appointment of Steve Belardo as chairman of the Airport Advisory Board.

--Waived storage fees and approved transferring titles on some seized vehicles to Oscar Cobos, who holds power of attorney for an elderly man who now lives in Midland.

--Approved closing Arcadia Avenue, a very short and little-used street, for use by Jehovah’s Witness congregation; the city will retain right of way if the street is needed in the future.

--Waived landfill fees for debris from the Alpine Public Library project.

--Postponed action on setting a 20 mph speed limit on city streets; the limit could not apply to state or U.S. highways. Rangra said he wanted to get more citizen input.

--Approved a Rio Grande Council of Governments contract for a solid waste grant for $64,548.

--Approved a Texas Department of Transportation aviation contract.

--Discussed potential health problems at Lines Bow Mobile Home Park. Since the park is outside the city limits, the city of Alpine has no jurisdiction or liability there, although it does provide water to the residents. City Attorney Rod Ponton said that although the city has received a number of complaints from residents, the complaints should go to the park’s managers and any potential health problems are the responsibility of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

--Heard City Manager Chuy Garcia report that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given the city approval to submit a grant application for funding for the proposed animal shelter. He also reported that paving is progressing throughout the city now that the rains have abated, and that cable TV prices are going up $1 for basic packages.

--Had to postpone action on two rezoning requests because the Planning and Zoning Board didn’t have a quorum at its last meeting, therefore it had no recommendations for the council.

--Postponed action on deobligating leftover funds for the Centennial Park restroom project. This item has been on the agenda and been postponed so many times, it’s becoming almost a running joke among council members. Rangra laughingly suggested setting up portable potties and enclosing them in cement blocks.

It’s fall so it must be marching band season at Sul Ross

Bands from throughout West Texas gathered Monday for the Sul Ross Marching Band Festival. Here, the Alpine High School band performs. Avalanche photo / Cindy Perry

Voters back schools

Schools Supt. Jose Cervantes couldn’t have been happier Tuesday morning.

Alpine debates donation issue

A long list of housekeeping issues — zoning changes, grants, abandoned vehicles, appointments, funding requests and such — had the Alpine City Council moving from one agenda item to another Tuesday night.

Holland sale has fallen through

Avalanche staff

Correction

The Alpine Avalanche story in the Thursday, Oct. 9, edition about Jory Vega’s indictment incorrectly stated that the Brewster County grand jury indicted him in the hit-and-run death of Armando Chavez on Aug. 17. Mr. Chavez was not killed. Mr. Vega, however, was indicted for failure to stop and render aid and aggravated assault. The Avalanche apologizes for the error.