A conflict in scheduling and reserving the city park’s baseball fields and the procedure to alleviate the problems were discussed during the April 8 meeting of the Kenedy City Council.

James Sutton, an area resident who coaches a 11-14 ages girls’ softball team, brought the issue before the council. The issue became how and when fees are paid, who okays the particular dates requested, and how the conflicts could be prevented in the future. To resolve these issues city hall personnel, where the reservations are scheduled, will review how best to make sure this conflict doesn’t occur again and will work with the council members to approve the procedure. An effort also will be made on Sutton’s behalf to resolve the present dilemma.

Wayne Beyer, spokesman for the auditing firm that conducted the latest audit of the City of Kenedy for the fiscal year of 2006- 2007, spoke to the council members. He went over various entries of significance and stated that overall the city is in good financial shape.

"While most cities are in good financial shape with an ‘assets vs. liabilities’ ratio of 1 ½ to 1, Kenedy rates at 3 to 1 in that category" Beyer said.

Beyer noted that the 4B Corporation became included in the city’s budget for the first time during that fiscal year and along with the city did well. He did suggest that all of the city’s bills that occur during that fiscal year should be paid by the end of the same year. He also suggested that even though there was only one invoice the auditors could not locate to verify payment, the council members might do well to approve the paying of bills before they are actually paid.

The council thanked the auditor for his report and said they would look into the proposal that council members approve all of the bills before payment.

Council members then approved the appointment of Angelica Barrier for early voting clerk and approved that the city hall will remain open on April 28-29, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for early voting and then from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday April 30-May 6, 2008.

A re-plat for Samuel Gonzales’ Lots 5, 6 and North ½ of Lot 15, Block 3 in the Pan American #1 subdivision to be known as Lot 5A, Block 3 in the Pan American #1 subdivision was approved by the council.

City Manager Reggie Winters recommended to the council that either holding a workshop to amend the current city budget, or that he be allowed to rearrange and make line item transfers within departments to cover the rising costs of city expenditures. The constantly increasing cost for fuel and electricity is making the adjustments necessary.

"When the workshop was held to prepare the current budget, no one realized how much these costs would increase," Winters said. But as expenses keep rising almost daily, he said that they will need extra funds in several areas. The council voted to approve authorizing Winters to make the line item transfers and bring back to the council the results for review.

Winters reported that the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) has offered to contract their help in keeping Escondido Creek clear and to mow the grass overgrowth. They will perform the mowing process three times a year at a cost of $2,000 each time. The council members approved the offer agreeing that it is definitely worth the cost. A question about some of the landowners still needing to move their fences arose and Winters said there are a few, but they will see that the fence lines get moved.

The council then approved three proposals to authorize the Economic Stimulus Committee to negotiate with several entities regarding agreements for the FPB Land Development Project. The first proposal approved was for the committee to negotiate with the developer on the agreement for the project. The second was to allow the committee to negotiate with the county for a TIF finance agreement on the development project, and the third agreement was to hire McCall, Parkhurst and Horst to represent the Economic Stimulus Committee on the project.

Winters then gave an updated report to the council on the ORCA grant project on David Street. He said he had been notified of a minor problem of not paying out on time. The city is required to get out the payments upon receipt, within a five day time period. He said this is a minor problem that will be taken care of. There also needs to be an environmental assessment with written plans made for the project. And a somewhat major problem concerns two sealed bids involved with the execution of change orders needed. In this instance some monies may have to be reimbursed if not corrected.

The discussion of a considerable saving of water loss at the present time brought up the need for an agenda item at the next council meeting. Councilman Ken Reiley asked that Veolia personnel bring to the council their final recommendation for the new water meters to be purchased. Even with the current 10% - 15% saving of water at the present time, with all new meters there could be a lot more. It was also noted that El Oso Water Company has a new president who is very interested in working with the City of Kenedy to meet and improve their water needs. The council may consider what they have to offer as to it being cost effective.

Questions have arisen, according to Winters, about the Main Street agenda.

"Contracts were supposed to be let in June for the improvements, but we are now looking at September or October," he said.

It was agreed that business owners along the street should be notified of the changed time frame for plans.