By Gilda Morales
The Van Horn City Council met in regular session last Monday and set the much-anticipated date for opening the City Pool for May 30th, (Labor Day weekend), with fees being waived for that day. The regular fee schedule will be in effect after that. As a reminder, regular fees are as follows: Children under 6, free with an adult, Children under 18- $1.00, Adults-$2.00, Individual season pass-$30, Family pass for 2-$50, Family pass for more than 2-$50 plus $15 for each additional person.
Fees for the Convention Center were also waived for a Free Health Clinic on July 6th, sponsored by Aliviane, pending availability on that date. Aliviane also asked the Council to waive fees at the City-County Park and Pool on May 14 and May 31. A request for a fee waiver for the Convention Center on May 20 from Brenda Hinojos for the Annual Run for the Wall, was approved along with donating water and Gatorade to the cause.
In a three to one vote, Council approved a proposal from the engineering firm of Brock & Bustillos to do a study on the impact on the City’s water and sewer system from the proposed hotel development on the west side of town. The lone “nay” vote came from Alderman Lyndon McDonald.
Utilities director Edward Torres asked that Council consider closing the City-County Library, Utility Department and Convention Center on May 20th for CPR and First Aid training for 17 employees. Council voted to close half a day on May 20th for training for half the employees and to designate another date to close half a day to train the remaining employees. Torres also asked that Council approve continued overtime for May for his employees because his departments are short-staffed.
In other business, Council:
Tabled a request from Cora and Omar Pena for water and sewer service at a “tiny home” located at 603 Horseshoe Cove.
Tabled landscape improvements at City Hall pending hearing from Joy Scott.
Approved a letter of agreement with the Department of the Army, Special Forces Command, to coordinate with Town leaders and City Departments for military contingency training.
Approved a letter of agreement with El Paso Electric Company to provide power at the local landfill.
Approved a request from Mark Blount, with the Bureau of Economic Geology to place two seismographic stations in Van Horn. The Council agreed to place the stations at the airport and the golf course.
Agreed to give potential notice by the Town of Van Horn to Hudspeth County Water Improvement District No. 1, relating to the Town’s maintenance activities and work on the water system outside of the Town’s territorial limits.
Approved a request from Mayor Brewster to reschedule the Council meeting from May 30, Memorial Day to Monday, May 23, 2022.
