Dateline: November 4, 2004

Leaking city building smells like death

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

City Hall stinks.  Literally.

That was the message delivered by City Secretary Linda Smith and City Clerk LeAnn Marcum when the Clarendon Board of Aldermen met in regular session last Tuesday.

“This place is falling apart,” Smith said, noting that the 1918 municipal building is leaking badly every time it rains.

“It smells like dead bodies,” Marcum added.

City Administrator Sean Pate said this week that an insurance adjuster for the Texas Municipal League (TML) had examined City Hall following last week’s meeting and is expected to issue a report soon about the building.

“There are several maintenance issues that need to be addressed,” Pate said. “The roof needs a lot of work, and water is leaking in through windows on the top floor.”

Pate said stagnant water about one foot deep is standing in what was once a swimming pool in the basement, and he said simply, “It’s stinking.”

“We’re going to have to address the water damage and probably replace the window seals. That gets to be a lot of money. It will come down to what the insurance will cover.”

Pate said a foundation expert has said that part of the building is in good shape for its age, but the administrator noted that water causes a lot of damage if left unchecked.

“It is kind of ironic that this place was built in 1918, and now the Red Sox have won the World Series,” Pate said. “Maybe the curse of the Bambino has gone from Fenway to Clarendon.”

In other city business, the Board of Aldermen held a final public hearing on Ordinance 353, which would increase building permit fees in the city. The ordinance was approved unanimously on its second reading and took effect October 26.

Tarell Dyer of Centramedia Online services addressed the board concerning leasing space on the city radio tower to deliver high-speed Internet to Clarendon. Alderman Michael Tibbets said he would like to see Centramedia provide free service to the City Hall, the city library, the chamber of commerce, the Saints’ Roost Museum, and the Donley County Sheriff’s Department plus pay an access fee equivalent to $375 per month. Dyer will speak with his supervisor and return to the November 9 meeting.

Colby Waters of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission presented a resolution to allow the city to apply for a Texas Community Development Grant. Aldermen approved the resolution.

Ronnie and Melinda McAnear addressed the board concerning property located at 820 S. Allen Street, which has become an eyesore and a nuisance. Pate recommended proceeding under the Dangerous Structures ordinance and utilizing the procedure to have the house demolished. A public hearing will be held on this topic November 9.

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation presented a contract to the board. Under the terms of the contract, the CEDC would pay the city $200 per month for light clerical duties, such as collecting the CEDC mail, paying bills, posting agendas, and reconciling financial statements. The CEDC Board believes the contract will allow CEDC to pursue its goals without incurring the expense of hiring a director. The aldermen approved the contract.

In his administrative report, Pate said a letter had been received from the NRCS directing the city to pay the money owed on the disaster grant, which paved 12 blocks in southeast Clarendon and made flood improvements. The board directed Pate to take money from a General Fund certificate of deposit to pay the $38,562.09 bill.