Quake news stirs action

New fire truck, energy saving program approved

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

The biggest news out of Tuesday’s Cleburne City Council came courtesy of two new earthquakes, which hit during the workshop session preceding the regular meeting.

The quakes hit at 5:10 p.m.and 6:19 p.m. Neither could be felt at city hall.

Tuesday’s tremors brought the number of area earthquakes to five in seven days.

Council members discussed the earlier quakes shortly before the first Tuesday quake hit and whether drilling activity could have contributed to the events.

“We don’t know if it’s tied to drilling,” Mayor Ted Reynolds said. “We’ve heard information both ways with some [experts] saying yes and some no.”

Councilman John Warren said he wasn’t so sure.

“I’m no expert,” Warren said. “But it seems to me that any time you remove pressure from underground, and that’s exactly what drilling does, it’s going to have an impact. I’m not saying the drilling is responsible, but I do think it’s something we need to take a closer look at.”

Council members decided, after the 5:10 p.m. earthquake, to schedule an emergency meeting after the regular council meeting.

The council voted, during the emergency meeting, to hire a geophysicist to investigate the earthquake incidents.

Before the emergency meeting, the council approved several purchases and an energy saving program during the regular council meeting.

The council voted to purchase a new fire truck from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists at cost of $419,896. The truck will replace a 10-year-old truck, said Fire Chief Clint Ishmael, which the department will retain as a back-up vehicle.

The Cleburne Public Library will soon receive new software costing $47,896 from the Library Corporation.

The current software, purchased 10 years ago, is being phased out by the company and will no longer be supported, said Kim Galvin, budget and purchasing manager.

The new software includes several facets such as online selection and notification and inventory controls that will benefit patrons and staff members, Galvin said.



Energy efficiency project

A Texas Senate bill passed in 2007 requires municipalities to curb energy consumption over a period of years.

To that end, the council voted to hire Siemens Building Technologies to oversee a citywide energy efficiency project at a cost of $9,561,515.

Last year Siemens conducted an in-depth efficiency audit of metered water sales, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, water and wastewater treatment plants and water fixtures throughout the city to target potential areas of cost and energy savings.

The project will represent an out-of-pocket expense.

Council members voted to borrow $5 million from the State Energy Conservation Office through a 3 percent loan.

City leaders intend to work with Siemens and the State Energy Conservation Office to develop a financing package for the remainder.

Galvin said the loans will not affect city budget spending because the project will be paid for through water revenue rescued through unaccounted water losses and other savings realized through better controls and savings in other city departments and operations.

The contract contains a performance guarantee, Galvin said, which means that should the savings not meet the projected savings calculated by Siemens, the company will pay the city the difference.



Grants

The council accepted a Texas Department of Transportation grant funded through the Federal Rural Public Transportation Fund in the amount of $114,854.

Cletran will use the money for operating and administrative costs.

A second grant accepted on Tuesday will be used for the purchase of training equipment for the police department.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totals $18,085 and requires no city match, said CPD Chief Terry Powell.

The council reappointed Jean Moss to a second term on the Cleburne Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Members also appointed former city Councilman Bob Force to replace Roger Pedigo, whose term on the board expired on Feb. 13.

“So long as Mr. Force understands that attendance to the board meetings is strictly enforced,” Reynolds said, a joking reference to Force’s occasional admonishments during his time on the council about residents who sign on to serve on boards and fail to attend meetings.

In other news:

zx Reynolds declared June 7-14 as Public Safety Appreciation Week in Cleburne. Reynolds urged residents to take a moment to express appreciation for the city’s rescue workers.

zx Declared Sunday as Flag Day and encouraged all residents to fly American Flags. Adams Elementary second-grade students Adam and Jake Avants distributed flags to council, staff and audience members.

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