City accepts state grant for airport work

With a tie-breaking vote, the Board of Aldermen last Tuesday accepted a state grant to make $886,000 in improvements to the Clarendon Municipal Airport.

The project provides for the reconstruction of 800 feet of the north end of the runway, which is deteriorating, and the rehabilitation of the remaining 3,800 feet of the runway. In addition, the taxiways, apron, and turnarounds would be rehabilitated; erosion control would be implemented; and the runway will be marked.

The grant from the Texas Department of Transportation requires a ten percent match from the city, a fact which caused concern from some aldermen.

“Nobody would deny that we need this money,” said Alderman Michael Tibbets. “The question is shouldn’t we spend $88,000 on streets?”

Alderman Janice Knorpp argued that the opportunity was too good to turn down.

“We simply cannot afford to pass up nearly $900,000,” she said.

Knorpp further argued that matching funds for the grant might be paid for through a bond issuance which would include money for city street improvements.

The board debated the flexibility of an October 8, 2002, deadline to accept the grant. Based on information presented by board consultant Colby Waters, Alderman Tibbets said the board could wait until December to make a decision. But Knorpp and Alderman Bob Watson thought the city could lose the money if it did not act quickly.

Watson moved, seconded by Knorpp, to adopt the resolution accepting the grant. Tibbets and Alderman Tommy Hill voted “nay,” and Mayor Pro-tem Mark White cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the resolution.

The city has been working to get the grant for the airport for approximately four years beginning when Smiley Johnson was on the board. The project should be completed in the spring of 2004.

In other city business, the aldermen discussed a proposed lease agreement regarding a planned business at the airport. Dusty Abbott, who intends to establish a business to repair and maintain small aircraft, requested a 30-year lease for a new hanger to be built near the current pilots’ lounge. The aldermen agreed to certain terms of the lease and requested the city attorney to draw up the agreement for presentation at the next meeting.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts gave an update regarding the recycling center and the work of McKay Engineering. The board requested the city attorney to send a letter to Gary McKay about getting this job finished as quickly as possible.

Librarian Carolyn Blackerby updated the board on the community TIF grant and invited them to the Library’s Open House on October 26.

The letters sent to the citizens who have livestock in the city limits were discussed. There was a misunderstanding that City Clerk LeAnn Marcum had not signed the letters. Marcum presented photocopies of the letters which were clearly signed.

The board approved Ordinance 343, which amends Ordinance 331 and increases trash rates by $1.80 per month.

The board re-appointed Myles Shelton, Jerry Woodard, and Todd Knorpp to the Economic Development Board. Mayor Tex Selvidge had indicated he no longer wished to serve on the EDC Board, and the aldermen appointed Mayor Pro-tem Mark White to take that seat.