Dateline: June 6, 2002

City votes to delay livestock ordinance

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen voted four to one last Tuesday to delay implementation of a new livestock ordinance so they can consider a nuisance ordinance to take its place.

As in the previous two meetings, aldermen were faced with criticism of Ordinance #340, which was passed in April.

“If you’re concerned about health and safety, you need to look at the health issues of the junk cars and junk houses rather than just the livestock in town,” Bill Barnes told the board.

Other citizens questioned the city’s new guidelines wanting to know the origins of space requirements in the new law.

“Where did the 1,000 square feet (per head) come from?” Steve Lewis asked. “Horses all over the United States are kept in 12x12 stalls.”

Lewis, who has been involved in two court cases with the city over the previous animal ordinance, also complained that in both those cases no one from the city has ever gotten his side of the story. He said he thinks the new law singles some people out because it exempts the veterinary hospital, and he also said he didn’t think he could get a permit under the new law.

“I could be denied a permit just because somebody doesn’t like me,” he said.

Alderman Janice Knorpp asked opponents of the ordinance to offer suggestions for solutions. Lewis asked to have the Texas Department of Health to do inspections in the city. Former sheriff Jimmy Thompson urged the city to pass a nuisance ordinance to replace the livestock ordinance.

Alderman Mark White asked just what the main objection to the ordinance is.

“Is it the permit? Is it the fee? Is it the space requirement? Just what is the problem?” he asked.

To which one citizen replied, “The whole thing.”

Only one citizen, Jeanie Johnson, spoke at length in favor of the livestock ordinance, saying that it is needed and asking what good any ordinance is if the city won’t stand by this one.

The board asked City Attorney James Shelton to draft a nuisance ordinance to take its place and voted four to one to delay implementation of the livestock ordinance for 30 days. Alderman Bob Watson voted against the measure.

Ordinance #340 requires landowners to obtain a $20 land license and a $10 per head permit in order to keep livestock in the city limits and also prescribes space requirements and other rules for keeping livestock in the city. It would have become enforceable on June 17, 2002.

Also last Tuesday, the city began contract negotiations with engineer Gene Barber for the proposed street improvement project. Barber touted his 50-plus-year record of working with cities in the Panhandle, working on street projects, and a current pavement rehabilitation program with Westgate Mall in Amarillo.

“You’re going to get my experience and not some whippersnapper cutting his teeth on your project,” Barber said.

Aldermen Knorpp peppered Barber with questions regarding past projects, current projects, insurance, and the size of this workforce. Alderman Tommy Hill also questioned Barber, and Alderman Michael Tibbets moved to table the contract negotiations until a called meeting on June 6. The motion carried.

In other business, City Superintendent Jim Roberts reported that the city has been approved for a $350,000 grant for improvements related to last year’s flooding. The grant from the Texas Office for Rural Community Affairs will complement another grant already received from the US Department of Agriculture for the same projects. The work should get underway this summer.

Mayor Tex Selvidge reported that the state had finally approved plans for the Saints’ Roost Museum to renovate the old Ft. Worth & Denver Depot, which is now located on the museum grounds. Bids are now being taken on the job. The city is the sponsoring agent for the museum for its grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Officials with Classic Cable approached the city seeking a new franchise agreement for ten years. Aldermen instead requested a five-year contract and said they want a provision for local churches to have public access to the cable system. Classic officials also said they plan to add more channels to the local lineup and that cable subscription rates will likely increase.

The aldermen approved a request from the Clarendon Little League to pay for electricity at McClelland Field and Hart-Moore Field this summer.

Mark C. White asked the board to consider a shooting range at the municipal airport. He said the Donley County Sheriff’s Office would like to help construct an improved range, and he proposed a 25-foot wide area south of the aircraft hangers with a 12-foot earthen berm for safety. The sheriff’s office would furnish the pipe and cable, dig the holes to stand the pipe, and stretch the cable for the targets. The city would do the dirt work. The aldermen approved the proposal.