December 4, 2007
NEW FLIGHT INFORMATION SIGNS AT AIRPORT
If you are traveling on business or even for pleasure this holiday season, you are sure to notice that Midland International Airport has a new look! Thanks to a new Flight Information Display System/Baggage Information Display System, travelers can view where they need to be with just a quick glance.
The recent upgrade includes six new, user-friendly, display stands with 40” LCD screens indicating airline arrival and departures, the addition of six screens in the baggage claim area indicating the baggage belt used for each flight, and new flat panel screens at each gate podium.
The additions and/or changes in airline information can be programmed directly from each airline, which alleviates the need for local employees to input flight changes. This updated state-of-the-art system was provided and installed by Com-Net Software of Dayton, Ohio. The purchase of this system was made possible by a Federal Aviation Administration grant for a total cost of $556,308 ($528,493 FAA Share/$27,815 City Share).
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT
Midland Police arrested a man late Monday, December 3, 2007, and charged him with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
27-year-old Nicholas Marin (8-39-80) of Midland is charged in connection with the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a young male. The assaults occurred during 2007 at a south Midland residence. The victim and suspect are known to each other.
The incidents were reported to police on December 3, 2007, by school officials.
2007 MANAGEMENT AWARDS
The 2007 City of Midland Management Award winners will be announced on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. at the Petroleum Club. Interim City Manager Tommy Hudson will present plaques to the award winners during the luncheon. The 21 winners demonstrated accomplishments above and beyond the ordinary, using creativity, personal effort, and a commitment to excellence. Their projects have saved taxpayers money, and in some cases, increased efficiency.
Monetary Savings
David Hunter, Beth Mosley, and Celestino Garcia - First Place – Employee Health Clinic
The Administrative Services Department and the Health Department teamed up to develop a City Employee Health Clinic. A Physician’s Assistant was hired and employee clinic set up at the health department. The goal is to provide primary care to employees and their dependents on the group health plan which provides a service to the employees and is projected to save the health plan substantial funds this year and in the future.
Bob McNaughton – Second Place - Debt Restructure
Took advantage of changes in Local Government Code and interest rate environment to generate reoffering premium in debt issue to allow for smaller debt issue and still raise full amount of funds needed for projects. The reoffering reduced the size of the issue to $55.505 million and the City received the full $56.7 million funding for project costs.
Refunding 1996 Water and Sewer bonds generated net present value savings of $116,970.08. Reduced coverage requirements for Water and Sewer System senior lien debt to cover a single remaining issued with a total of $6,675,000 outstanding instead of two issues with a total of $11,495,000 outstanding.
Stuart Purvis – Third Place - Water Transmission Line Conversion
He developed recommendations on a new water master plan including both immediate and long-term needs. The northwest portion of Midland has experienced problems with pressure and volume of water. Stuart suggested converting the existing transmission line from the depleted McMillen well field to a distribution line and make tie-ins on the west side of the City to bring water into the northwest apart of Midland. This will increase the volume of water fed into the area and by converting the 30” steel concrete pipeline will save the City about $5,500,000.
External/Service Delivery
Todd Smith & Ray Jimenez – First Place - GIS Website Improvements
The new improved GIS website allows anyone to view custom interactive maps, download Shapefiles or AutoCAD DWG files and view or download static PDF maps. This allows everyone to be more productive and enable users to easily find answers to questions regarding planning, engineering, economic development, resident and visitor information. Users are able to utilize the GIS from the comfort of their own office without having to call or visit City Hall.
Gary Saunders – Second Place - Railroad Quiet Zone
Faced with the costs associated with implementation of a quad system via the installation of additional gates at each RR crossing that was estimated at $1,432,000, Gary devised a system utilizing raised concrete medians at eleven crossings which met federal and state Quiet zone standards. Total installation cost to the city amounted to $172,384 (a savings of $1,259,616).
Morris Williams – Third Place (tie) - Community Clean Up and Seminar Organization
The organizing and hosting of this educational seminar in Midland afforded an opportunity for Code Enforcement officers in the area to get needed training without having to travel to one of the larger cities in Texas. In addition, Morris and his employees set up a number of open top containers for the first of what he hopes will be a semi-annual or quarterly community clean-up event. Their efforts resulted in almost 50 tons of large items being taken to the landfill and 17 ½ tons of metal were brought in and taken to a metals recycling center.
Eddie Klatt – Third Place (tie)
L.I.F.E in a Bottle Program - All medical records are written on supplied forms and placed in a labeled bottle and that is placed in the person’s refrigerator. Signs for the home’s front door or window and refrigerator door are also supplied. This can be a life saving reminder for helping family members and responding Paramedics. Bottles are donated and distributed at various locations and events.
Internal/Organizational Efficiency
Fritz Niggeler, Hilda Espinoza, Karl Staggs, Vince Hancock, & Kenneth Whiting – First Place - Technical Advances in the Fire Service
They developed an electronic employee roster board for payroll purposes, developed an electronic yearly vacation list, and implemented a new system for naming Fire Department radio channels.
Johnny Womack – Second Place - Cross Training/Lab Consolidation and use of part-time employees in Utilities Department
Implemented cross-training all laboratory personnel at both plants and consolidated the labs. This has built flexibility into the Department and puts the City ahead of the rule to remove labs from reporting to the plant manager. In addition, Johnny was able to open temporary/part time positions and convince these two operators, with State required licenses, to work at the Plant and fill in for vacationing or sick employees as a way to meet the demands during growth and a tight labor market.
Mark Phillips – Third Place - Armory Acquisition
Faced with the problem of not having an area to efficiently store records, but also a place to store related special equipment, Mark contacted the Texas Military Facilities Commission (TMFC) to determine their timetable for moving to their new facilities at the Airport and to determine what they were going to do with the old Armory on Lamesa Road. After about a year the City was able to purchase in excess of 20,000 sq/ft. of buildings for less than $7 per sq/ft. and we obtained 5 acres of property for future needs.
Innovation Award
Tina Jauz & LeaAnn Dearman – First Place - City Webpage Redesign
A much improved upgrade to the first website which was built back in 2000. The new design added several features, which enhance the user’s experience, and offers a variety of information for visitors and resident alike, not to mention the government and business aspects as well. The website is consistently evolving and contains new weekly feature information for the public.
Chip Balzer – Second Place - Fire Wellness & Fitness Program
He wrote and secured a federal grant to create a wellness and fitness program for the Midland Fire Department. The program included: physicals; EKGs; chest X-Rays, education on nutrition, peer counseling and fitness training; exercise equipment and a smoking cessation program.
Marv Esterly – Third Place - Height Hazard & Land Use Zoning
Without proper planning many major airports are affected by incompatible development and must operate with certain restrictions to mitigate the impact of aircraft operations. Too frequently, cities have failed to plan for compatible development. The Department of Airports has taken steps to inhibit future community growth near the airport and thus secures this multi-million dollar asset for future generations of Midlanders and West Texans.
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