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Bush rally among council topics
"This rally is one of the biggest Midland will ever have. It will be a big event, so pray for nice weather and no rain.'
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Planning President Bush's "Welcome Back Rally" next week and hearing arguments between homeowners and an oil company that wants to drill in north central Midland were two items of interest addressed by the City Council Tuesday.
Mayor Wes Perry said the rally will start at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Centennial Plaza downtown, where the president will speak and see old friends from about 5-6 p.m. after taking part in the inauguration of President Obama in Washington.
"This rally is one of the biggest Midland will ever have," Perry said. "It will be a big event, so pray for nice weather and no rain."
The council then passed a resolution closing Spur 269 between between Texas 349 and Business 20 to facilitate the Midland-raised president's visit.
Members postponed action on two developmental resolutions to let Patriot Resources drill two wells north of Mockingbird Lane between North "A" Street and North Big Spring Street.
They heard from Woodland Park Homeowners Association spokesman Chip McCarver, who said the company had requested the deferrals. "We don't think Patriot is the devil," McCarver said.
"It's a good company, but the association doesn't want those wells drilled. The only way we could get out of Woodland Park would be to drive toward them."
He said there was some discussion in a late December meeting between the association and company about building a fence around the wells, but they disagreed about how much one would cost with the company saying $4 million.
The Council session opened with passage of a proclamation backing the 2010 Census and a presentation by Retired Senior Volunteer Program representative Saul Herrera, who gave Perry a big check for $2,166,771 to signify the annual value of hours RSVP donates.
With Census officials Charles Spence, Charlene Romero McBride and Eloy Hernandez listening, a resolution was passed to form a "Complete Count Committee" and appropriate $25,000 to advertise the effort.
At the end of an emotional discussion, Councilmen Scott Dufford and Michael Trost voted "no" against Jerry Morales, LuAnn Morgan, Vicky Hailey, John James and Perry to make microchipping mandatory to adopt an animal or reclaim a captured pet at the animal shelter.
Dufford said he opposed the plan because an owner should not have to submit to the practice when a pet only escapes once.
Joined by Animal Services Director Paul O'Neil, Morgan said the policy would keep pets from being euthanized when their owners were out of town. "I had my dog microchipped and it was just an injection," she said.
"Somebody would know my dog was gone," Dufford countered.
Grace Partnership Developing Partner Gary Wilson and engineer Max Richards won a zone change from "Planned District" and "Industrial Park District" to "Local Retail District" for 22 acres at the northwest corner of Loop 250 West and Business 20, where the Gateway Plaza shopping center will be erected in three to five years.
Calling for a planned district zone, James was out-voted 6-to-1.
Sheriff Gary Painter appeared as a private citizen in a dispute over developer Jason Harmeyer's purchase of an acre in the 349 Ranch Estates on the north side of town, where Harmeyer sought approval of a plat to build a house and other structures and possibly divide the property into two lots.
"He's in there to flip it and make money," Painter said, explaining the development would spoil the view and rural character of the addition. "I'm not there to make money. I'm there to live."
Fellow property owners Randall Matthews and Lucy Fino had similar feelings. "We don't need another house jammed in there," said Matthews.
"I think it would be a detraction," agreed Fino.
Saying he would lose $52,000 if the Council went against him, Harmeyer argued the new house he wants to build would replace an unsightly old one.
Trost and Morgan said the project would improve the area and joined Morales, Dufford, James and Hailey in support of it. Perry voted "no."
In other business, the panel took a small step to boost a major project -- the $6.14 million Garfield Street extension eight-tenths of a mile south from Carter Avenue to The Horseshoe and Interstate 20.
It allowed the state to build and maintain Garfield, affording quick access to Midland Memorial Hospital from I-20, and the extension for which bids will be advertised in June.
In a move sure to please hamburger lovers, the Council approved a site plan ordinance for a Jack in the Box restaurant to be built on the west side of the Rankin Highway 400 feet south of West Wolcott Avenue.
After a public hearing, the construction of a new Walgreens Drug Store was cleared with the passage of a site plan for a lot 200 feet east of North Midland Drive on the south side of the Andrews Highway.
Other approvals included:
-- A $120,000 two-year contract for Valley Irrigation & Pump Service of Seminole to maintain city water wells.
-- A $338,806 contract with Reece Albert Inc. for the first phase of 2008-09 street improvements.
-- Purchasing 300 3-1/2 yard refuse containers and 100 1-1/2 yard containers for $169,200 from Roll Offs USA of Durant, Okla., and Fuqua Industries of Rio Vista in Northeast Texas.
-- Five-year concession agreement for Community National Bank to pay the city $12,000 a year to operate ATMs at Midland International Airport.
-- Buying a replacement rubber tire loader from Warren Power & Machinery for $59,900.
-- Paying the Houston-Galveston Area Council $114,219 for an asphalt zipper.
-- Leasing city owned airport facilities including Commercial Hangar N-54 to Deer Horn Aviation for five years.
-- Amending contracts with CGI Technologies & Solutions to upgrade computerized financial, procurement and human resources systems with a cut from $250 to $185 an hour for human resources software implementation.
-- No-cost professional services agreement with Dailey & Wells Communication for the 800 Megagertz Reconfiguration Project.
-- A $76,000 public improvement agreement with Los Conchos Estates to develop the Crestgate Addition west of Midkiff Road and south of Bluebird Lane.
-- Paying James Hindman Inc. $243,099 to build a sanitary lift station at the airport and make emergency repairs at Golf Course Road and Midkiff Road and a channel slope at Ward Street.
-- Amending a professional services agreement with Shaw Environmental and bringing the price to $182,715.
-- Letting the city attorney take actions pertinent to participation in the State Resources Corp. versus Howard Lumber Co. lawsuit in 142nd District Court.
Mayor Wes Perry said the rally will start at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Centennial Plaza downtown, where the president will speak and see old friends from about 5-6 p.m. after taking part in the inauguration of President Obama in Washington.
"This rally is one of the biggest Midland will ever have," Perry said. "It will be a big event, so pray for nice weather and no rain."
The council then passed a resolution closing Spur 269 between between Texas 349 and Business 20 to facilitate the Midland-raised president's visit.
Members postponed action on two developmental resolutions to let Patriot Resources drill two wells north of Mockingbird Lane between North "A" Street and North Big Spring Street.
They heard from Woodland Park Homeowners Association spokesman Chip McCarver, who said the company had requested the deferrals. "We don't think Patriot is the devil," McCarver said.
"It's a good company, but the association doesn't want those wells drilled. The only way we could get out of Woodland Park would be to drive toward them."
He said there was some discussion in a late December meeting between the association and company about building a fence around the wells, but they disagreed about how much one would cost with the company saying $4 million.
The Council session opened with passage of a proclamation backing the 2010 Census and a presentation by Retired Senior Volunteer Program representative Saul Herrera, who gave Perry a big check for $2,166,771 to signify the annual value of hours RSVP donates.
With Census officials Charles Spence, Charlene Romero McBride and Eloy Hernandez listening, a resolution was passed to form a "Complete Count Committee" and appropriate $25,000 to advertise the effort.
At the end of an emotional discussion, Councilmen Scott Dufford and Michael Trost voted "no" against Jerry Morales, LuAnn Morgan, Vicky Hailey, John James and Perry to make microchipping mandatory to adopt an animal or reclaim a captured pet at the animal shelter.
Dufford said he opposed the plan because an owner should not have to submit to the practice when a pet only escapes once.
Joined by Animal Services Director Paul O'Neil, Morgan said the policy would keep pets from being euthanized when their owners were out of town. "I had my dog microchipped and it was just an injection," she said.
"Somebody would know my dog was gone," Dufford countered.
Grace Partnership Developing Partner Gary Wilson and engineer Max Richards won a zone change from "Planned District" and "Industrial Park District" to "Local Retail District" for 22 acres at the northwest corner of Loop 250 West and Business 20, where the Gateway Plaza shopping center will be erected in three to five years.
Calling for a planned district zone, James was out-voted 6-to-1.
Sheriff Gary Painter appeared as a private citizen in a dispute over developer Jason Harmeyer's purchase of an acre in the 349 Ranch Estates on the north side of town, where Harmeyer sought approval of a plat to build a house and other structures and possibly divide the property into two lots.
"He's in there to flip it and make money," Painter said, explaining the development would spoil the view and rural character of the addition. "I'm not there to make money. I'm there to live."
Fellow property owners Randall Matthews and Lucy Fino had similar feelings. "We don't need another house jammed in there," said Matthews.
"I think it would be a detraction," agreed Fino.
Saying he would lose $52,000 if the Council went against him, Harmeyer argued the new house he wants to build would replace an unsightly old one.
Trost and Morgan said the project would improve the area and joined Morales, Dufford, James and Hailey in support of it. Perry voted "no."
In other business, the panel took a small step to boost a major project -- the $6.14 million Garfield Street extension eight-tenths of a mile south from Carter Avenue to The Horseshoe and Interstate 20.
It allowed the state to build and maintain Garfield, affording quick access to Midland Memorial Hospital from I-20, and the extension for which bids will be advertised in June.
In a move sure to please hamburger lovers, the Council approved a site plan ordinance for a Jack in the Box restaurant to be built on the west side of the Rankin Highway 400 feet south of West Wolcott Avenue.
After a public hearing, the construction of a new Walgreens Drug Store was cleared with the passage of a site plan for a lot 200 feet east of North Midland Drive on the south side of the Andrews Highway.
Other approvals included:
-- A $120,000 two-year contract for Valley Irrigation & Pump Service of Seminole to maintain city water wells.
-- A $338,806 contract with Reece Albert Inc. for the first phase of 2008-09 street improvements.
-- Purchasing 300 3-1/2 yard refuse containers and 100 1-1/2 yard containers for $169,200 from Roll Offs USA of Durant, Okla., and Fuqua Industries of Rio Vista in Northeast Texas.
-- Five-year concession agreement for Community National Bank to pay the city $12,000 a year to operate ATMs at Midland International Airport.
-- Buying a replacement rubber tire loader from Warren Power & Machinery for $59,900.
-- Paying the Houston-Galveston Area Council $114,219 for an asphalt zipper.
-- Leasing city owned airport facilities including Commercial Hangar N-54 to Deer Horn Aviation for five years.
-- Amending contracts with CGI Technologies & Solutions to upgrade computerized financial, procurement and human resources systems with a cut from $250 to $185 an hour for human resources software implementation.
-- No-cost professional services agreement with Dailey & Wells Communication for the 800 Megagertz Reconfiguration Project.
-- A $76,000 public improvement agreement with Los Conchos Estates to develop the Crestgate Addition west of Midkiff Road and south of Bluebird Lane.
-- Paying James Hindman Inc. $243,099 to build a sanitary lift station at the airport and make emergency repairs at Golf Course Road and Midkiff Road and a channel slope at Ward Street.
-- Amending a professional services agreement with Shaw Environmental and bringing the price to $182,715.
-- Letting the city attorney take actions pertinent to participation in the State Resources Corp. versus Howard Lumber Co. lawsuit in 142nd District Court.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
Bowens wrote on Jan 14, 2009 12:42 PM:
" Gary Painter appeared as a private citizen before the City Council in a dispute with one of his neighbors.Most private citizens who own property have that property listed on the tax rolls that are available for public scutiny. However, Painter is privileged, much like his chief investigator. He has special status with MCAD that precludes property he owns from being listed and therefore showng whether it is valued equitably in relation to other properties of similar character. The unfairness of this situation that pits a property owner who is exposed to public scrutiny with one who is not was apparently resolved in a manner that was appropriate. "
notinmidland wrote on Jan 14, 2009 5:18 PM:
" Id like to know when the city will
propose the Bush War Crimes museum? "
propose the Bush War Crimes museum? "
OldMidRes wrote on Jan 15, 2009 11:23 AM:
" Was the cost of 'the biggest rally ever seen" revealed during the council meeting? If so, has it been posted on the city of Midland website? "
Roy V wrote on Jan 15, 2009 12:05 PM:
" Mayor Perry's such a brown noser...maybe his companies should pay for this event instead of the taxpayers!! "
GladURNotInMidland wrote on Apr 15, 2009 7:39 AM:
" notinmidland wrote on Jan 14, 2009 5:18 PM:
" Id like to know when the city will
propose the Bush War Crimes museum? "
Probably about the same time they hand out free Bozo suits and Free Medication for the mental cases still suffering from "Bush Derangement Syndrom".
You better sign up quick!!!! "
" Id like to know when the city will
propose the Bush War Crimes museum? "
Probably about the same time they hand out free Bozo suits and Free Medication for the mental cases still suffering from "Bush Derangement Syndrom".
You better sign up quick!!!! "
WoW wrote on Apr 15, 2009 8:21 AM:
" Hummmm!!
The Ice House had to be reclassified as a bar. ha ha And how nice the city council had to approve the new club because of a lawsuit, since the Icehouse is a bar with music and I recall the city council had not want to approve a club in that area. All you see people with no class hanging around there. This new clud/bar will be for classy people with a dress code enforce. "
The Ice House had to be reclassified as a bar. ha ha And how nice the city council had to approve the new club because of a lawsuit, since the Icehouse is a bar with music and I recall the city council had not want to approve a club in that area. All you see people with no class hanging around there. This new clud/bar will be for classy people with a dress code enforce. "
America wrote on Apr 15, 2009 8:44 AM:
" "GladURNotInMidland,that was funny, a very good response to the idiot that always keeps asking the same stupid question,and can't seem to find the answer. Ha Ha Ha! ROFL." "
. wrote on Apr 15, 2009 8:57 AM:
" More liquor bars for Midland.
Promoting living downtown........now you can crawl home instead of trying to drive home.
City Council needs to put billboard signs on I20 to promote Midland as the "Drunk's Capital" of the state. "
Promoting living downtown........now you can crawl home instead of trying to drive home.
City Council needs to put billboard signs on I20 to promote Midland as the "Drunk's Capital" of the state. "
leftout wrote on Apr 15, 2009 9:31 AM:
" Instead of "another" bar/night club in Midland. Why not put that money to good use and bring something for our teens? There is nothing to do for kids anymore! Movies, mall, gets old! "
Alfred wrote on Apr 15, 2009 12:22 PM:
" It will be a money generator for the city since they establish a bar then have their undercover spy cop drive around watching the bars. Just stop ALL alcohol sales at bars and restaurants! Tea Party for Washington? We need to include the local corruption also. And, if the person is reading this that wrote in the other day. Midland is a ZOO. It has a lot of dumb-asses like you running around in it. "
Richard wrote on Apr 15, 2009 12:29 PM:
" Revitalization of downtown? I'm sure all those that have an hour to hour and a half commute into downtown need housing downtown and the associated infrastructure. should be lots of demand. Maybe they could take some more four lane streets and turn them into two lane streets. Maybe knock some more buildings down even though developers may be willing to buy and refurbish like Yates Petroleum wanted to do. But, i guess we need another parking lot. "
taxodium wrote on May 27, 2009 11:47 AM:
" "Her motion died for lack of a second" because money was whispering in the ears of the other council members.
There is a pattern well established that code and policy in Midland is relaxed for those who can afford to pay for the variances they demand. Case in point is the monstrocity being built on the property that once was the Lawson homstead. "
There is a pattern well established that code and policy in Midland is relaxed for those who can afford to pay for the variances they demand. Case in point is the monstrocity being built on the property that once was the Lawson homstead. "
taxodium wrote on May 27, 2009 1:32 PM:
" Cassidy is quoted as saying the adjacent Humble Avenue "is real humble."
Is this an accurate quote? "
Is this an accurate quote? "
taxodium wrote on May 27, 2009 1:42 PM:
" Lee Jones asserted the project "will add to the neighborhood."
Does Jones have a dog in this hunt? Jones, it seems, lives in another neighborhood? Perhaps Jones is barking for someone else who does not wish to antagonize more humble folk. "
Does Jones have a dog in this hunt? Jones, it seems, lives in another neighborhood? Perhaps Jones is barking for someone else who does not wish to antagonize more humble folk. "
cathy4212 wrote on May 27, 2009 2:59 PM:
" so where was the Lawson homestead? What monstrosity is being built on it? "
taxodium wrote on May 27, 2009 3:42 PM:
" The Lawson homestead was originally located west of the old Midland Country Club golf course which extended north along A Street to what is now Golf Course Road.
Although no alleys were closed to build
the 10,000 square foot residence, the owner did buy a residence behind his so it could be torn down for a "paving and backyard development project". "
Although no alleys were closed to build
the 10,000 square foot residence, the owner did buy a residence behind his so it could be torn down for a "paving and backyard development project". "
Boomhower wrote on May 27, 2009 4:15 PM:
" Jones is right. It will add to the neighborhood. Bob Davenport is a terrific neighbor and will turn the property into something very nice, if given the opportunity. I hope that the council votes to approve this. "
taxodium wrote on May 27, 2009 4:34 PM:
" "It will add to the neighborhood."
It will give MCAD an excuse to Increase the value of Mr Davenport's property which will in turn give MCAD an excuse to increase the value of the property next door whose owner was not quoted as being for or against the request but whose father lives across the street from Mr Jones in another neighborhood.
And with the addition to the neighborhood and the increased property values, Ms Cassidy will have to pay more for her flood insurance. She will then have to raise her legal fees which would suit her neighbor's father as he too is a lawyer. "
It will give MCAD an excuse to Increase the value of Mr Davenport's property which will in turn give MCAD an excuse to increase the value of the property next door whose owner was not quoted as being for or against the request but whose father lives across the street from Mr Jones in another neighborhood.
And with the addition to the neighborhood and the increased property values, Ms Cassidy will have to pay more for her flood insurance. She will then have to raise her legal fees which would suit her neighbor's father as he too is a lawyer. "
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Thanks To Bush wrote on Jan 14, 2009 12:02 PM:
This action will encourage more pedestrian traffic that is needed to support the few business left along that strecth of Wall Street. "