City Council declares Munday an Anti-Litter Community, will support 2010 Census

The Munday City Council heard an array of different reports, proclamations and presentations Tuesday evening at its July meeting.

Following the invocation by member Adrin Fletcher, Bobby D. Barnett suggested to the council that we need to do something to memorialize those from the past who got us where we are today. He mentioned such things as the airport, the lake, the drainage ditch and the city hall building that we take for granted today. He said a plaque engraved with their names would be a fine gesture on our part. Barnett mentioned Mose Wiggins, Jim Reeves and Walter Hertel, but said there were many more.

David Kuehler, director of the North Central Texas Municipal Water Authority spoke about the importance of exercising water valves to keep them operational. He said mineral deposits can build up inside the valves and if they aren't opened at least twice a year they could freeze up and become inoperable. Kuehler then introduce an electric opener for those stubborn valves that refuse to open. One of these machines can save a crew up to two days off the exercising time. He is making the machine available to the city to use.

Walter Hertel, a retired Munday city administrator, volunteered his time to help the water crew when they begin exercising the valves on the city water lines. He said at one time there was only one valve for the while city, which meant if there was a problem the whole city went without water. Things have improved over the years, but things still need to be kept up. Hertel also suggested that a line needs to be added to the administrator’s job description to include the upkeep of the city’s many valves.

Tammy Copeland and Gerry Brooks from the Community Action Program in Abilene introduced their Weatherization Assistance Program. Copeland said their organization can help with weatherizing homes of low income people to help lower their utility bills. She said it is possible for a couple making $18,000 or less to be funded up to 125 percent of the costs of weatherizing their home. They can be reached at 325-673-5785 extension 109.

Randy Beyers, of Jacobs and Martin Engineering, informed the council that Munday has been awarded three grants. Beyers serves as Munday’s waste water engineer and helps the city with grant applications and all the red tape the city has to process to stay in compliance. Two of the grants will go toward the installation of aerating equipment in all of our sewage ponds. The aerators stir up the water, allowing oxygen to come in which improves the mix and gets the plant in compliance with the state. Munday will receive $419,000 for this project. The City also received a 2010 grant to fund the on-site irrigation project. Under this grant the city can rent or purchase up to 160 acres for irrigation purposes. Another grant will help Munday with its planning for the next ten years.

The city also approved a resolution on grants that covers filing of an application for a grant, another one to cover filing and authorizing a representative and another one for an application affidavit.

A proclamation on partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau for an accurate count passed the council. The proclamation spells out the importance of having an accurate count. More than $300 billion a year is allocated to states and communities based on census data.

The council approved the formation of a Complete Count Committee for the 2010 census. However, the committee was not named.

The council appointed Exa Lee Martinez to be the Census Liaison person for Munday.

A Mayor’s proclamation declaring Munday a Litter Free Community was passed by the council. Persons caught littering in Munday will face stiff fines from now on.

For the second month the appointment of a new city judge was tabled. However, two names were mentioned as prospects. Mayor Norville will contact the two persons to see if either is interested.

City Administrator, Dwayne Bearden, informed the council that the city is losing almost $1,200 a month on its commercial garbage rates. For the 1.5-yard can, one time per week, the rate will be $40per month. A 3-yard can, one pickup a week will be $50 per month, 2 times a week the charge will be $95, and the 3 times a week charge will go to $145 a month. These rates will be effective with next month’s water bill.

The council also discussed noise and litter complaints which came out of the fourth of July celebrations. There is a distinct possibility that the council could over turn the present fireworks ordinance. One possibility would be to legalize the sale of fireworks within the city and designating certain places where fireworks could be used legally. Fireworks litter left in the streets or on the roadways will also the addressed.

Munday is a good place to live. So said some of the folks questioned by members of the city council. Another person likes the way the churches and people in general work together to get things done. A fisherman said he moved to Munday to be closer to Miller Creek Lake. One person said she enjoyed the downtown sidewalks for exercise. Another said the traffic in Munday is nice and no long lines at the grocery store. No one reported a negative comment about Munday, other than we need more people so we could get more stores and restaurants.