At Monday's session of Commissioners Court, County EMS Director John Nabors held an "EMS Workshop" to fill Commissioners in on what their local EMS needed and the direction in which the department wished to head.
He said that after July 2010 they will lose the Central Station because of the Library's new renovation project, and he says he still feels a need for a downtown presence. He also added that they will not be able to shut down the South Station as previously planned.
A crew is a paramedic and a "basic" for three shifts--which totals six people. They would utilize one ambulance.
He also said additional stations were needed.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of an ambulance with contingency funds for about $135,000 which would be ready in several months.
$10,000 DOLLAR GRANT FOR FAIR & RODEO ASSOCIATION
March 10, 2010
At Tuesday night's session of the Huntsville City Council, Councilmembers approved a $10,000 dollar HOT Board grant application for the Walker County Fair & Rodeo Association.
Councilmember Lanny Ray felt getting the word out about the Fair would increase attendance . . . .
Last night the Council also approved a $350 a month raise for City Secretary Lee Woodward and okayed an agreement regarding Shenanigan's Night Club on 11th Street.
SHSU RODEO SIGNS MORE COWBOYS
March 10, 2010
The Sam Houston Rodeo Team just signed up some more rodeo talent.
The City of Huntsville reports that at eight o'clock Monday morning, March 8th, a failure in a force main approximately 1000 feet south of FM 1791 in McGary Creek resulted in a domestic wastewater bypass of an estimated volume of greater than 100,000 gallons to McGary Creek. Repairs to the force main began when the failure was discovered at 8 AM and were continuing as of 6:30 last night.
The area potentially affected is the McGary Creek drainage area in the San Jacinto River Basin. City officials expect the impact to the public to be minimal as there are no public or private sources of drinking water within the affected area.
According to the City, once repairs are completed, the final volume released will be determined and reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
UPCOMING HUMANE SOCIETY CONCERT
March 09, 2010
A special performance by Melanie Holliday will be presented in Huntsville this week in a benefit performance for the Rita B Huff Humane Society.
Coordinator for the concert, Pat Ernst, tells us more . . . .
Tickets are available at the Animal Shelter at 295-4666.
FIRE PROTECTION DEBATE CONTINUES
March 09, 2010
At Commissioners Court meeting Monday morning at the Courthouse, the debate continued between the City and County over how much the County should pay the City for Fire Protection. City Manager Bill Baine along with Mayor J. Turner engaged in lengthy discussion with Judge Danny Pierce and other Commissioners.
The City is looking for $360,000 dollars from the County for what they feel is there share of the $1.2 million dollar fire protection expense. The County cited examples of other counties that do not pay large fees for fire protection from their primary city.
New Waverly Fire Department Chief, Jacob Slott, interjected a firefighter's view at the meeting . . . .
The Huntsville City Council meets in regular session at six this evening at City Hall.
Tonight's "Consent Agenda" includes the the possible approval of an ordinance requiring modifications to the existing Industrial Wastewater Ordinance and an ordinance budget amendment. It also includes approval of awarding the FM 247 Sewer Project construction contract to Doughtie Construction for $28,793 dollars.
The "Statutory Agenda" includes the "first reading" of an ordinance to approve stop signs on Gainous Street.
During the "Mayor-City Council-City Manager Report," Councilmember Woodward will present the report on environmental intitiatives by Procurement Manager Billie Smith. Councilmember Cole will discuss manganese levels in water. Councilmember Mahaffey will have an annual update from the Personnel Committee. Councilmember Ray will discuss possible action on a Walker County Fair and Rodeo Association request for Hotel Occupancy Funds for the upcoming Fair and Rodeo. City Manager Bill Baine will discuss the receipt of $15,000 dollars from SHSU, a sidewalk projects report, and the completion of the storage facility at the Service Center.
In closed Executive Session, councilmembers will consider personnel matters regarding the evaluation of City Secretary Lee Woodward, legal efforts to recover what they view as overcharges by Entergy on the electric bill, and legal advice from the City Attorney on the TABC permitting process and a status update on Shenanigan's and Sam's.
RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM CAPTAINS MEET
March 08, 2010
The Relay for Life Team Captain's meeting is scheduled for tonight at six at the Holiday Inn Express on I-45.
They will have information on Super Team points, theme, campsites, backup location for the relay, and other information.
CONGRESSMAN BRADY COMMENTS ON STIMULUS
March 08, 2010
What has the stimulus done for jobs and small business?
Last week on the floor of the House, our 8th District Congressman, Kevin Brady, commented further on the issue . . . .
In Houston last week, State District Judge Kevin Fine's decision to grant a pretrial motion declaring the death penalty unconstitutional has been called "unabashed judicial activism" by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
We asked local Criminal District Attorney David Weeks his opinion on the decision . . . .
University of Houston Law Center Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson has also said that Fine's decision will likely not withstand appellate review.
SHSU REGIONAL CRIME LAB OPEN
March 08, 2010
Located in the Woodlands the SHSU Regional Crime Laboratory, which will take care of the needs of nearly 100 state and local law enforcement agencies from ten counties around Huntsville, is now open and working toward accreditation.
Lab Director, Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, tells us all about it . . . .
The 10th Annual Crown Classic Golf Tournament hosted by the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha at SHSU, benfiting Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, will be held April 10th at Raven's Nest Golf Course in Huntsville. You or your business can get involved with this event by sponsoring the tournament, making a donation, or signing up as an individual or team of no more than four.
For more information, contact Marisa Eaves at 832-350-2772.
