Dateline: December 20, 2001

Library remodel bid comes in $10k low   

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The only bid to renovate the Burton Memorial Library was found to be about $10,000 under budget when the Clarendon Board of Aldermen met last Tuesday.

Board members and Mayor Tex Selvidge almost didn’t open the bid, discussing whether it might not be in the city’s best interest to have more than one bidder. The board also expressed disappointment that no local contractors had turned in bids.

The project was expected to cost nearly $50,000, but the bid from Steen Construction of Amarillo was for $38,425.

Plans call for the renovation of storage space, dead space, and an unused bathroom to create an enlarged meeting area in the rear of the library.

The project will be paid for by money donated to the city-county library by the estate of Mary Stocking McConnell.

Steen Construction is also busy in Clarendon with the construction of Community Fellowship Church’s new building.

In other city business, aldermen appointed City Secretary Linda Smith to serve as the city’s public funds investment officer and records management officer.

The board approved placing a Christmas advertisement in The Clarendon Enterprise.

The collection contract with the Donley Appraisal District was considered and discussed at length. Alderman Mac Stavenhagen moved, seconded by Alderman Mark White, to approve the contract. Aldermen Stavenhagen, White, Bob Watson, and Billy Jack Land voted in favor. Alderman Michael Tibbets voted against. Motion carried.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts spoke about building permits, paving, and emergency management.

Librarian Carolyn Blackerby addressed the board regarding selling surplus furniture and ways to collect seriously delinquent book fines. Total delinquent fines are nearly $3,000, she said, and some people are several years overdue.

Board consultant Colby Waters led a discussion on a proposed street improvement project for the city. Mayor Selvidge appointed Aldermen White, Tibbets, and Watson to a Street Committee to help guide the project. The scope of the project and options to pay for improvements were also discussed.

A workshop for the board will be held January 7, 2002, at noon to discuss changes to the city’s personnel manual.