City of Midland Pess Release... February 12, 2007

February 12, 2007

FEBRUARY 13th CITY COUNCIL MEETING

During a 9:00 a.m. briefing session, the City Council will review and discuss proposed policy for Quality Workforce Housing and a Rental Inspection Program. A top priority of the City Council this year is to address Quality Workforce Housing in Midland as part of an overall objective of maintaining quality neighborhoods. In 2006, the city entered into a developer agreement with Lance Friday dealing with a large tract of property. The agreement allows for incentives paid to the developer on a per unit basis for the purpose of assisting the developer with infrastructure development. This agreement may serve as a model for others to follow. Staff will recommend consideration of construction cost reimbursements for two types of “in-fill” housing including affordable (below $80,000) and workforce ($80-160,000). It is recommended that reimbursement for in-fill projects be limited to single-family detached homes and not less than four homes per project. The City Council will also discuss a proposed Rental Housing Inspection Program. The program would help insure the health, safety, and welfare of tenants of rental properties through the enforcement of the minimum housing standards code. The program would work cooperatively with tenants and owners and encourage compliance through incentives. The program would be phased in for apartments, single-family houses, detached structures, and duplexes. Media Contact: Chuck Swallow/Director of Development Services at 685.7288
For the 20th straight year, the City of Midland is awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program was established by the Government Finance Officers Association in 1945. Its purpose is to encourage all government units to prepare and publish an easily readable and understandable comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) covering all funds and financial transactions of the government during the year. Media Contact: Bob McNaughton/Director of Finance at 685.7210
The Council will consider sale of the old Midland Savings Building. Bids for the sale of property were opened on February 6th. One bid, with the minimum required amount of $168,000, was received. The bid was from the Downtown Midland Municipal Management District. Media Contact: Mark Phillips/Director of Facilities & Fleet Management at 685.7235

TEA & VINTAGE STYLE SHOW
The Scarborough/Linebery House will be the site of a Tea and Vintage Style Show. The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 22, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the house located at 802 S. Main.

The style show will include the Kathryn Burch collection.

The cost for the luncheon and style show is $25.00 per person or a reserved table seating 6 for $200. Reservations and checks must be received by Monday, February 19, 2007.

Proceeds will benefit the second oldest home in Midland and help to preserve the city’s heritage.

The event is part of a yearlong celebration of 100 years of heritage. The Scarborough/Linebery House turns 100 years old in 2007.

BURGLARS BUSTED
The Midland Police Department arrested three teenagers over the weekend in connection with a rash of vehicle burglaries.

17-year-old Kyle Jacob Logsdon (8-24-89), 17-year-old Marcus Ryan Edwards (10-4-89), and a 16-year-old male juvenile were arrested early Saturday morning, February 10, 2007, near the 5700 block of Crowley in northwest Midland. They are charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.

A Citizens on Patrol unit spotted the men checking the door handles of numerous vehicles. Once police made contact with the suspects, it was discovered they had stolen an ipod dock, purse, backpack, leather jacket, and tools from unlocked vehicles. After being interviewed by detectives, it is believed the three are connected to at least 50 auto burglaries dating back to December through this weekend.

More property was recovered through search warrants and detectives are working to match the stolen items with cases. The property includes electronics, tools, and hunting equipment.

More arrests are expected to be made pending the outcome of the investigation.

WORK UNDERWAY AT GARFIELD RAILROAD INTERSECTION
Workers will be busy pouring concrete at the intersection of Garfield and Front on Tuesday, February 13, 2007. Weather permitting, the project will last one day. The intersection will be closed from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. during the construction with the route being open during the remainder of the day.

This is the seventh of nine railroad intersections to receive concrete medians.

The medians will be constructed on both sides of each intersection (two at each location). They are similar to those already in place at the Lamesa Road and Midkiff Road intersections. The medians will be three feet wide by six inches tall. Length will range from 50-100 feet depending on the intersection.

Contractors have worked on one intersection at a time moving west. The entire project is expected to take 70 days.

Once a concrete median is in place, the City of Midland Transportation Division places reflective buttons around the edges and on the top of each median.

Once the entire project is complete, the City will file for intent to establish a quiet zone. Citizens can expect a quiet zone to be in place by March with train horns no longer sounding inside Midland city limits.

The City of Midland has a total of 11 railroad crossings. All of the railroad crossings have safety gates. Efforts to install gates at each intersection were completed in 2001 with the installation of gates at four intersections that did not already have the devices.

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