July 01 , 2009

JUNE 23rd CITY COUNCIL MEETING 

• The City Council will consider establishment of a fund for the development of the Sibley Nature Center Trail Project at Hogan Park.  The $1 million project will be funded by a $500,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as well as $500,000 raised by the Sibley Nature Center.  The City is appropriating $50,000 to assist with the project.  City staff will continue to assist Sibley with the management and oversight of the project.  Media Contact: Scott Swigert/Parks and Recreation Manager at 685.7370
  
• The City Council will consider giving the green light to the Police Department to proceed with application for the FY2009 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG).  The MPD, in conjunction with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, is eligible for a federal grant in the amount of $44,481.  The Attorney General determined that Texas counties are responsible for more than 50% for the costs incurred for the prosecution and incarceration of Part I violent crimes.  The end result could mean the City receiving $26,689 (60%) and Midland County receiving $17,792 (40%).  Media Contact: Chief Price Robinson/MPD at 685.7101
  
• The City Council will hold a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. to declare certain structures as dangerous, dilapidated, and public nuisances, and ordering their removal or securing.  Periodically, the City takes action to remove such structures and budgets accordingly.  A total of $70,350 from the General Fund and $31,614 from CDBG have been budgeted.  There are 15 different properties up for consideration.  Fourteen structures are recommended for demolition, and one is recommended for boarding up.  The addresses include: 1401 S. Baird, 510 S. Benton, 307 W. California, 800 S. Colorado, 1320 N. Fairgrounds, 1506 Garden Lane, 1003 N. Lee, 1207 Mulberry Lane, 1405 Mulberry Lane, 511 E. New York, 107 N. Tyler, 1107 E. Walnut, 1311 E. Walnut, and 609 Storey Avenue.   Media Contact: Rick Crownover/Director of Development Services at 685.728

RACIAL PROFILING PRESENTATION

The City of Midland will come together with Midland County for a neighborhood meeting.  The event will take place on June 30, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Southeast Senior Center, 1801 E. Indiana. 

Midland Police Chief Price Robinson and Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter will present their 2008-09 Racial Profiling reports.  Residents will be encouraged to ask questions.

The meeting is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen communications between government entities and citizens.  The “Community Link” meetings take place throughout the year at different locations in south, east, southeast, and southwest Midland.

Media Contacts: Vicky Hailey/City Council District 2 at 682.3565, Luis D. Sanchez/County Commissioner Precinct 3 at 688.4803, or Ramona Ball/Community Leader at 682.7853

The Midland Police Department is actively looking for a man in connection with multiple thefts.  An arrest warrant was issued for 38-year-old Kelly S. Smith (12-17-70). 

Smith is accused of presenting himself as a licensed, bonded, insured contractor when he is not.  The work he performed for clients did not meet code requirements.  Now police are charging him with Theft over $20,000 and under $100,000. 

Smith operated Custom Builders of Midland.

If anyone knows of his whereabouts, they are asked to contact the Midland Police Department at 685.7108 or Crimestoppers at 694.TIPS.

M.P.D. RETIREMENT

A long-time MPD lieutenant is retiring from service.  On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 3:00 p.m., a party will be held to honor Dusty Land.

Land has worked for the MPD for 33 years.  Most recently, he served as lieutenant overseeing the training division.

The media is invited to help make this a special day for the officer.   

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