City Council met in regular session to address a long and varied agenda. A bid from Maria Elena Urias to purchase Lot 11, Block 22 in the Rivas Subdivision for $5,280 was unanimously approved.
Mayor Glenn Humphries announced a proclamation of August as “Breastfeeding Awareness Month†in the Town of Van Horn, at the request of Rosalba Ruiz. Council then voted to approve a zoning variance at the recommendation of the Zoning Board to change zoning from residential to small business for Linda Lopez.
Council then heard from Rick Knapp, CPA and auditor, on this year’s city audit. Mr. Knapp gave the city a clean bill of health with no issues or concerns voiced. In an effort to encourage local pet owners to neuter their pets, city council voted to locate a mobile veterinarian service that could provide neutering and spaying, with the city providing a subsidy toward the discount.
The 2014 appraisal roll certification was unanimously approved before council moved to the next agenda item dealing with the next round of HOME grants. Council agreed to split the cost of environmental services from D & H Petroleum and Environmental Services to assess the site of an old service station and possible underground storage tanks at 300 W. Broadway, which is now M & M Wrecker. This study is a requirement prior to proceeding with the building of any more homes through the HOME grant.
A motion to pave a portion of Golf Course Road from the Chevron to the golf course was tabled pending an engineering study to ensure that the road would hold up to the stress of the great number of tractor trailers that use that part of the road.
Council also tabled a quote for a new air conditioner at the City-County Library before moving unanimously to purchase two new, 8-inch water meters for the north and south (Sierra Blanca) airport wells. A quote form West Texas Center Pivots and Pumps was approved to assess the damage resulting from a lightening strike earlier this month.
