NEWS
Councilors hurl illegality accusations at CM, mayor
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Monday’s Bowie City Council lapsed into complete chaos as council members hurled accusations of illegalities and threatened to have each other removed from the meeting. It appeared to be a total downward spiral of city leadership.
This debacle of a meeting revolved around three topics: Remodeling of the new customer service center, denial of a councilor’s request to have an item on the agenda and changing the city attorney.
Illegal remodel
City Manager Bert Cunningham was asked about the final cost to remodel the new customer service center. He said it was $61,847.50, which was above the original bid of $49,985 because they ran into some unexpected problems including a small amount of asbestos abatement. He said it was not bid because they had a quote come in under the $50,000 limit.
Councilor Tami Buckmaster said once they surpassed that $50,000, work should have stopped and additional work be put out for bid.
Councilor Arlene Bishop then asked why they did not have an architect or engineer, which is required by state law if it is more than $50,000 and walls are moved.
Cunningham said they obtained three quotes for work and went with the lowest which was under $50,000, adding if anyone has ever remodeled they know there is always something unexpected. As for the architect, he said the wall was not load bearing and the roof is made of steel trusses, so they felt it was not necessary.
Buckmaster declared they have an illegal building asking Code Officer David Rainey if it is going to be closed down?
Rainey asked closed for what, and Mayor Gaylynn Burris asked if Buckmaster wanted to see it closed.
“I am just asking the question. I don’t know if we are subject to liability because we have people in that building. Should we get them out?” said Buckmaster.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
A public hearing has been scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on May 28 for the Montague County Commissioner’s Court to present the updated subdivision regulations that have been in the works for several months.
That date was set during Monday’s court session, where a development officer also was named and a state-required notice was approved. The 89-page draft of the subdivision regulations are available on the county website co.montague.tx.us/page/montague.home.
It was August 2019 when the regulations were adopted by the commissioners after much debate among water well drillers, groundwater district staff and directors, realtors and land developers.
During those original discussions water issues lead the way as many counties especially around heavily populated urban areas are experiencing water shortages and possible contamination due to an inadequate number of houses and wells or even the use of a public water system in the rural areas.
Charley Lanier, who has been working as a grant officer for the county, was named to be the subdivision development officer. After a brief 10-minute executive session, the court named Lanier who they said would be the “initial contact” for all developers who will accept all paperwork and plats.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City of Bowie water and street crews repair a broken water line in the area of Walnut and Smythe last week, along with repairing a large pot hole in the same area. (Photo by Barbara Green)
Bowie Intermediate School students, staff and families enjoyed a “STAAR” Party on April 18 celebrating the hard work of all preparing for STAAR testing as well as other year’s successes. There were about 200 students and parents attending to enjoy the activities that included telescopes provided through the 3Rivers Foundation. It was a clear night perfect for star gazing, there also was an outdoor movie and other activities. (BIS courtesy photos)
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