REDCO begins transfer to rail authority
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Bob Goldsberry, standing left, executive director of the Rusk Economic Development Corp., presents a check for $500,000 to Rusk Mayor Angela Raiborn, seated left. Members of the council include seated from left, Mayor Raiborn, Don Jones and Walter Session; standing Mr. Goldsberry, Donald Woodard, Sam Florian and City Manager Mike Murray.

Prior to Thursday evening's Rusk City Council meeting at city hall a check for $500,000 was presented to the council by Bob Goldsberry from the Rusk Economic Development Corporation.

The funds are to be given to the Texas State Railroad Authority to be loaned to American Heritage Railways.

During the regular meeting that followed councilmembers accepted a bid from Citizens 1st Bank as the city's depository. Another bid was submitted by Austin Bank.

City Manager Mike Murray said, "The Citizens bid is the best bid and I recommend that the council accept it. The interest rates paid to the city on CDs and accounts is higher. "

Charles Hassell, executive vice-president of Citizens 1st Bank said, "The city can make between $11,000 and $12,000 more per year on its interest based on current rates."

The bank depository bid was for a three-year period.

Work on drilling a new water well on FM 343 will begin in January, Mr. Murray said. Duplichain Construction of Alto was the lowest bidder for the job, which includes the drilling of the water well and construction of a storage tank. The council authorized signatures for the contract with Duplichain.

The council approved an ordinance authorizing the publication of a notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation, series 2008 bonds.

A resolution to allow the Cherokee County Appraisal District to purchase the Tosh Insurance Agency building was approved. Louis Caveness, board member, said the purchase will cost the city a maximum of $311 extra each month for a period of five years. The building was appraised at $120,000 and the sale price is $110,000. Plans are for the CCAD to borrow $90,000 and pay the remainder out of existing funds. With the addition the appraisal district will obtain an additional 2,600 square feet in the downstairs area.

Also, there is upstairs space which will be used for storage at first and later as office space.

The council approved the casting of the city's CCAD board votes for Mr. Caveness.

City Judge Forrest Phifer presented an update of activities in the municipal court department.

Plans are to have a warrant roundup in cities throughout the county. Police will serve warrants on offenders living in their particular city.

Offenders will be charged for violations in the cities holding the warrants, Mr. Phifer said.

Bids approved at the meeting for the street department include Bob Francis Ford, $13,249.75 for a Ford pickup truck. The bid on the truck came in $3,000 to $4,000 lower than was anticipated Mr. Murray said. A bid of $50,244.53 for a Case backhoe was accepted from HGAC.

Mr. Murray said the city really needs three new backhoes. One used backhoe will be sold by the city for $8,000.

An 18-foot trailer bid from Wilkerson Trailer Sales in Henderson was approved. Bid price is $2,275.

The appointments of Buz Parish, Raymond Vermillion and Kevin Gentry to the Planning and Zoning Commission; and Lester Hughes and Russell Turner to the Board of Adjustments were approved at the meeting.

Preceding two executive sessions, John Ament, attorney for Joanne Hart, said he, his client and Jan Pate "have come up with a solution that we think will work."

Mrs. Hart lives on Golfcrest Street, where the street has been closed because of necessary repairs. Mr. Ament said the street is not a high traffic area.

The council discussed Ms. Hart's situation in executive session and took no action when reconvening.

Also discussed in executive session was a complaint from Leslie Swift concerning the city's entry upon a portion of her property to prepare the city's sewer line.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Angela Raiborn; Councilmembers Walter Session, Don Jones, Donald Woodard and Sam Florian; City Manager Murray; and City Secretary Fran Wendeborn; City Judge Phifer; City Attorney Larry Sinclair; Assistant Police Chief Roy Cavazoz; Utility Director Danny Christopher; and Street Superintendent /Building Inspector Neill Holcomb. Councilman Kris Morgan was absent.