Aldermen reactivate city administrator office

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen took the first step toward hiring a city administrator last Tuesday when they voted 3-1 to reactivate the now dormant office.

Presiding in the absence of Mayor Tex Selvidge, Mayor Pro Tem Mac Stavenhagen opened discussion of the topic by telling the board that by ordinance the City of Clarendon is required to have an administrator.

Ordinance 201 was passed in 1964 and created the office of the city administrator and outlined the duties of that position. The office was filled for a time but has been vacant for decades.

Board consultant Colby Waters told aldermen that hiring an administrator for the city will be a lengthy process but said Clarendon should be able to attract good candidates for the job.

Alderman Michael Tibbets raised concerns about the chain of command after reading Ordinance 201.

“The role of the mayor is not defined,” Tibbets said.

Other board members interpreted the ordinance as saying the administrator would serve at the pleasure of the city council, of which the mayor is a member.

Alderman Bob Watson moved to reinstate the office, seconded by Alderman Billy Jack Land. Watson, Land, and Alderman Mark White voted “yes.” Tibbets voted “no.”

As explained at last Tuesday’s meeting, a city administrator would differ from a city manager in that hiring and firing powers would still reside with the Board of Aldermen under an administrator. Also, hiring a city manager would require changing the city’s form of government, a proposal which was defeated by popular vote several years ago.

In other city business, aldermen voted unanimously to solicit proposals for engineering services for the purpose of planning a new street improvement project. Advertisements will run in The Clarendon Enterprise and the Amarillo Globe-News. The proposals will be reviewed later this month.

The board consulted with City Attorney Jim Shelton and discussed a proposed new animal ordinance. The board agreed to set a $20 annual fee for animal land use permits and to charge $10 per animal per year. The board also agreed to have buffalo added to the list of livestock that would be prohibited in the city limits. The proposed ordinance will be re-drafted and brought back to the board.

Chamber of Commerce president Jim Blackerby asked the board to help lease a billboard near the intersection of SH 70 North and US 287 to promote community events this summer and fall. The chamber, the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, the Saints’ Roost Museum, and the Donley County Tourism Council had previously agreed to split the cost of the sign. The aldermen agreed to help with this project through using the Motel Bed Tax fund.

Waters addressed the board about a letter of deficiency received by the city from the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) regarding the transfer station at the Recycling Center. The issues involved are related to the level of reporting by the city’s engineering firm. The board approved a letter responding to the TRNCC.