CITY

please do so, it is very important to our community and our representation and all the other things each entity gets out of the city. The citizens support their communities,” Darden said.

There was also an update given on an item off the agenda. According to Darden, the Animal Shelter has been provided an air conditioning system that is currently up and running.

As Darden wrapped up the City Manager's Report he informed the Council of the new Kiosk payment that has been implemented. According to Darden, this will provide another avenue for residents to take care of their utility bill payments.

“I think the citizens are using it well and wisely. It’s one of those items we got to purchase with Covid, otherwise I don’t think our budget would have allowed it,” he said.

Council approved several Consent Items in a group vote as they have done in the past few meetings. The consent items included approval of City Council minutes of the regular meeting of Aug. 11th, 2020 and of the special meeting of Aug. 13, 2020. The council also decided to approve the consent item approval of the City Council minutes of the regular meeting of July 28, 2020 which had been tabled last meeting.

The final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the Big Spring City Code entitled “Amusements and Entertainment” section 6-2 “Definitions” to add a new definition for “Skill or Pleasure Coin-operated machines” and a new section 6-13 entitled “Restriction of Skill or Pleasure Coin-operated machines within 300 feet of a church, school, or hospital. This agenda item was motioned for approval by Council member Raul Marquez Jr. and was then seconded by Council member Camila Strande to pass unanimously.

For the agenda items Vouchers for 08/13/2020 and 08/20/2020, there was a motion made by Council member Marquez to table both items until the next regular meeting. Council member Gloria McDonald seconded the motion for it to pass 7-0.

Emergency Reading of a resolution to transfer a retired law enforcement dog to the animal handler in consideration for the sum of $1 on the animal's retirement and providing for severability. The service dog, named Song, has been assigned during his service to Fire Marshall Dan Hendrickson. The council approved for Song to be transferred to Hendrickson, in an unanimous vote.

“Song is our ignitable liquids canine. She’s been working here since April of 2015 with our Fire Marshall. She’s seven years old and has recently encountered some health conditions that no longer allow her to work. She’s been retired now and will live out her days with Fire Marshall Hendrickson and his family. Happy as she can be I hope,” Chief Ferguson said.

Discussion then began on the first reading of an ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Big Spring City Code Entitled “Administration,” by Amending Section 2-19 “Reimbursement of Expenses of City Council” by Adding a New Subsection (C) to Prohibit Issuance of Payment Cards to Councilmembers; by Adding a New Subsection 2-27 Entitled “No Key Access to City Buildings” to Prohibit Councilmembers from Having a Key to Any City Buildings to Prohibit Councilmembers from Having a Key to Any City Building; and Adding a New Section 2-28 Entitled “No Office for Councilmembers” to Restrict Councilmembers from Establishing an Office in Any City Building; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. There was a motion by Council member Jim De Pauw to approve the first reading of the ordinance along with a second by Council member Strande, however, Council member McDonald made a suggestion to add an amendment to the ordinance.

“I think included in that, we ought to not be buying any electronic equipment for any council members,” she said.

With this suggestion, according to City Attorney Andrew Hagen, this type of topic should be further discussed at another time where purchasing procedures and approvals are up for discussion. Council member McDonald then retracted her statement and the motion passed 7 to 0.

District 1 Councilmen Marquez began discussion on the agenda item Resolution of ordinance regarding restrictions to manufactured housing within permitted zones. According to several of the council members, throughout districts 1, 2, and some of 3, there are several cases where the need for city restrictions to manufactured buildings should be put in place. Council members then opened up discussion on possible zoning restrictions such as skirting, removing axels, cement foundations, and driveways to manufactured/mobile homes. Accord ing to City Manager Darden, 80% of the Big Spring community is manufactured/mobile homes.

“I don’t think we’re trying to eliminate manu factured homes in these areas where they’ve been permitted to be zoned. I think we just want them to look a lot better. We want them to take pride in the lot; in the area that they’re placing these homes,” Marquez said.

Other items on the agenda included:

• Big Spring Economic Development Corporation Board of Director's minutes for special meeting o Aug. 6, 2020 approved

• Bids were awarded to ITD Services for installa tion of fiber optics innerduct for landfill at a bid o $100,584; Western States Fire Protection Company out of Lubbock for the alarm system in Building 19 on the Industrial Park for a bid of $87,234 and for sprinkler system in

Building 19 for a bid of

$173, 330.

• First amendment to the lease agreement with Isomeric, Inc. approved

• Request to apply for

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance

Grant approved. If approved, according to

Big Spring Police Department Chief Chad

Williams the monies will go toward the purchase of technology.

• Agreement with

Cap-Rock Holdings,

LLC and Authorizing the Mayor or His Designee to Execute any

Necessary Documents was tabled again

Iris Rangel is a staff writer at the Big Spring Herald. To contact her, call 432-263-7331.

FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL

Flynn V. Long, Jr., 92, died Thursday. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday at Mount Olive Memorial Park. He will be in state 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM Thursday. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. at Myers & Smith Funeral Home.

Samuel Marquez, 74, of Big Spring died Monday, August 24, 2020. Graveside services will be at 2:30 PM Thursday at Mount Olive Memorial Park.

Jovita G. Jimenez, 76, of Big Spring died Monday, August 24, 2020. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM Thursday with the Vigil Service at 7:30 PM Thursday at Myers & Smith Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2:30 PM Friday at Myers & Smith Chapel with burial at Mount Olive Memorial Park.

John Randal Lewis, 61, died Wednesday. Services are pending at Myers & Smith Funeral Home.

Valerie Hernandez, 47, died Tuesday. Services are pending at Myers & Smith Funeral Home.