Reprint from the Progress Times - September 7, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

ALTON CITY COUNCIL
Alton Police Chief still on payroll

By Kathy Olivarez

Following executive session in the Tuesday, September 4, meeting of the Alton City Council, Alton City Manager Jorge Arcaute stated no action would be taken on an agenda item related to the suspension of Alton Police Chief Jose Luis Vela. That means the police chief will remain on the Alton payroll–suspended with pay–until further notice.

The city turned down the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department offer to conduct an investigation to determine whether any items are missing from the Alton Police Department’s evidence room. The City of Alton, instead, elected to conduct its own investigation. Alton Mayor Salvador Vela said when that investigation is completed, the city will make a decision on Vela’s status as a city employee. But for now, Chief Vela is suspended with pay.

"If the city takes any action to terminate Vela’s employment, the city manager will notify the news media," said Mayor Vela. He did not give a specific time when the investigation will be completed.

When asked by a member of the news media present at the meeting if the police chief was related to the mayor, Salvador Vela denied having any family ties to the police chief.

"I’ve never seen him at any of the Vela family reunions," he answered. "It’s just a coincidence that we have the same last name."

New Alton City Hall

Hernan Lugo, who is project manager for the Alton City Hall construction project told the council the building is scheduled to be completed by October 31 although it could run a week beyond that date due to the many rain delays. When complete, the building will house the city hall facilities, the police department and the municipal court.

Lugo gave a computer presentation showing different stages of construction. He said the security system, fire alarm, computer and telephone wiring and air conditioning coils have been installed. The storefront is complete and all masonry work has been finished.

Sidewalks have been poured and special security windows and doors for the jail holding cells arrived earlier in the week and are being installed.

The main work remaining to be done is the sheet rocking, painting and flooring.

Lugo said the project is 80 percent complete.

Steve Pena, assistant city manager, said 76 percent of the money allocated for the project had been spent. The cost of construction of the facility is about $2.5 million for the 13,500 square foot facility.

Arcaute said the only budget concern related to the city hall is the cost of the furniture.

The council was informed of several personnel changes. Rosie Tello has been promoted to finance director. Baudelia Rojas, a former city employee, has been hired to serve as special projects coordinator. Rigo Torres has been named labor specialist and will be responsible for the more specialized in-house maintenance of facilities. Also new to the staff are Baldemar Cruz, Tomas Gonzalez and Alonzo Bazan Jr. who will work in the maintenance department.

Sharyland Water Supply Corporation will be including garbage service charges in residents’ water bills. At the recommendation of Pena an additional $3.19 per month will be added to the bills of customers for the next 15 months to make up for the three months that were not collected.

According to the city manager, maintenance crews have finished repairs to Fireman’s Park. Final payment to the contractor hired to do the job was withheld because of unsatisfactory work.

Streetlights are to be installed in several subdivisions: Sharyland Meadows, three; Loma Hermosa, three; Glasscock Terrace, five; Sueno Americano, five; Nuevo Alton, 10; Palm Lake Estates, 11; and Tri-City, 10.

The council approved Resolution 2007-12 adopting the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Interoperability Communications Systems/Standard Operating System. The council was told this is being requested as part of Homeland Security so local communities will be able to communicate with each other in times of emergency.

The council approved Resolution 2007-13 to cast the city’s five votes for the Appraisal District Board of Directors for 2008-2009 for Amador Requenez. He has represented western Hidalgo County on the board for a number of years and currently serves as secretary.