CIty Recognizes Employees With Long Service

By Stephen R. Farris

The Corsicana City Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the issuance of certificates of obligation that will be used for water and sewer improvements, specifically for projects that will target the relocation of utilities along Seventh Avenue, the West Park Row booster station, the relocation of a waterline along East MLK and a relocation of a sewer line between 29^th Street and 26^th Street.

The city is able to do this since their rating moved from an A- to an A according to W. Boyd London, Jr., Managing Director for First Southwest, who was present to speak at Tuesday’s meeting and presented the council with a report from Standard & Poor’s regarding the city’s Go Debt rating.

“Their very positive about all aspects of the operations of the city,” said London.

The increase in the rating was based on the city’s historical maintenance of its strong financial position, with the

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outlook being forecast, according to the report, as stable, while at the same time, the rating service assigned its ‘A’ long-term rating, and stable outlook, to the city’s $3.755 million series 2010 combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation.

In Standard & Poor’s opinion, the ratings also reflect the city’s role as a manufacturing and distribution center with direct highway access to Dallas, which has led to good property tax base and economic growth’ adequate wealth and income levels; and moderate debt levels the report said.

The report also reflects the future outlook expectation that the city’s financial position will remain strong, and that its local economy will remain stable, and that any additional GO debt will remain manageable.

In other news, the council approved a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a 20’x30’ metal accessory building for storage purposes at 1011 South 27^th Street, and approved a SUP (contingent upon viewing possible Hotel & Motel Tax questions) to allow a boarding house to be used for the purpose of a scrapbooking retreat.

The council also heard from Animal Services Julianne Burkhalter and Police Chief Randy Bratton recommending that the daily quarantine rate be increased from $12 to $15 a day.

They also recommend the Drop-Off fee charged to other governmental agencies within Navarro County, except for the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office, be increased from $20 per animal to $50 per animal since both of these fees were not adjusted last Fall when Chapter 13 was amended.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of making the changes.

The council also approved the following items:

Authorized a contract for joint election services with the City of Corsicana, Corsicana Independent School District, Navarro College and Navarro County.

Designated certain vehicles as surplus property and authorized for sale via online internet sales.

Declaring support for the Westway Place Ltd., a joint housing tax credit and Home Partnership Program application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Authorized the Corsicana Police Department to submit a grant application to the Governor’s Office for Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funds and designated the City Manager to serve as the City’s representative in all matters related thereto. CPD received a similar grant for $399,500 in 2009, and will apply for an $80,000 grant in 2010.

Authorized staff to request approval from TxDOT for access to the IH 45 southbound frontage road between the Corsicana Inn and the Royal Inn.

Chief Bratton gave his annual Racial Profiling Report before the council, which is required by state law that the report is filed by March 1^st.

In his summarization, Bratton said essentially, compared to last year (2009) the actual traffic stop citations in relation to the 2000 Census figures, Hispanics were up near 3 percent (25.3 percent were cited).

“We were a little elevated there,” said Bratton. “But not as much as last year (2008). Last year (2009), we stopped 29 percent Hispanics, again compared to this year 25.3 percent, and with the census I’m expecting it to be over 25 percent, so were right in line as far as where we should be as far as the numbers show.”

Also compared to last year, according to Bratton, the department stopped 5 percent more Whites as compared to 2008. The figures showed Blacks were stopped less in 2009 compared to 2008, 22.8 percent in 2009 and 24.1 percent in 2008.

“Still a small numbers difference, but a decline,” Bratton said. “In summary, it does not appear that we have any indications of a racial profiling problem, nor have we received any complaints of that nature.”

The council also heard the CDC’s report for the year-end and first quarter given by Tom Hecker.

City Manager Connie Standridge, along with the council and department heads, recognized employees who have worked for the city for periods of 5 to 40-years Tuesday night.

The following is a list of employees honored with service pins and certificates:

40-years – Ronnie Woodall

30-years – Wallace Watson

25-years – Robert Blake, Marvin (Lee) Campbell, Henry Stevenson and Sharon Talbert

20-years – Richard Jones

15-years – Chester Jones and Vernie Stevenson

10-years – Katherine Albritton, Kenneth Barber, David Douglas, John Howard, Richard Jennings, Donald McMullan, Scott Tidwell and Diane Williams

5-years – Fred Biltz, Brenda Contreras, Henry Lindsey, Curran Oakley, Travis Wallace, Derek Whitely and Rowena Winfrey.