Copeland, Cole earn Hollis recognition
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Courtesy Photo
Hollis Public Schools Support Person of the Year Tiffany Cole, left, and Teacher of the Year Kimi Copeland, accept their awards during the Oct. 23 Tiger football game.
CHILDRESS – The Childress City Council approved several items of community safety as well as discussed items related to COVID-19 during its Oct. 26 meeting.
According to a recent inspection of Mashburn Event Center, the facility is compliant in nearly all areas, the only exception being inadequate access to upper level seating, as per American with Disabilities Act specifications. The council approved addressing these concerns and assume responsibility for overseeing the project. There are no immediate deadlines at this time, and council members and city officials are working together to gather the necessary information to begin the modifications, City Manager Kevin Hodges told the council.
The council approved a request by Little League representative Kelly Taylor to move the T-Ball fence. The organization was granted $5,500 by the Texas Rangers to make improvements to the facilities. She proposed a relocation and extension of the current fencing, allowing for access to more fields. The request was approved with the condition any facilities or amenities be untouched or returned to their original state, and any affected trees or greenery be replanted and restored following the completion of the project. The project was approved.
The council approved closures include Ave. D at Third Street for Delbert Days Activities, as well as Ave. C near Gordons and The Corner for an unrelated outdoor event hosted by The Corner of Inside and Out and Gordon’s on November 10. Ave. C closures can be expected in the evening hours, as the expected event will be at night between the hours of approximately 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In other council business, Hodges told the council the city has received $68,145 of an expected $340,345 in coronavirus relief funds from the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
Hodges said the 75% of the funds must be spent on medical, public health and payroll for essential workers responding to the public health emergency. The city must provide a spending plan for the remainder of the funds before Nov. 13 in order to receive the funds. Hodges said his plan includes $30,000 for 75 hand sanitizing stations for the jail, $26,000 for PPE and disinfectant and $10,000 for more masks.
Hodges provided a clear proposal to the council, including state requirements for appropriate dispersal, and a sizable list of suggested recipients and expenditures. That list includes providing various sanitation supplies, sanitizing stations and masks to various city offices. Hodges’ proposal also includes contributions to the School District for technology and connectivity in an effort to support distance learning.
The council voted to begin winterization of Fair Park and the baseball field facilities.
Hodges also provided the 2019-2020 budget review. Hodges’ applauded an easy and uneventful transition in to the 2021 fiscal year and closed his statements by extending a sentiment of gratitude to various departments and department heads for their commitment to fiscal responsibility, while continually maintaining their dedication to the city. Hodges also praised the council for making the difficult decisions and noted that “they paid off.”
Various council members closed out the meeting by giving all credit for the good news back to their staff and delivering further praise for their dedication to the success of the city.
