Kempner council appoints new member to fill vacated seat
By MAT TAYLOR Special Correspondent

Mayor Gene Isenhour, at last week's Kempner City Council meeting, announced the appointment of Jennifer Snyder to fill the Place 3 vacancy. The seat became vacant after the resignation of council member Alicia Ford, who has moved to Arizona.

Ms. Snyder is a volunteer reserve police officer. She also is a certified law enforcement officer and a police officer in another department.

In a related action, the council approved a resolution that allows members of the City Council to serve in certain volunteer organizations. Ms. Snyder requested the resolution, as she wants to remain a volunteer reserve officer for Kempner.

Isenhour explained that the city is a Type A general-law municipality and is authorized by Texas Local Government Code No. 21.003 to permit members of its governing body to serve as a volunteer for organizations that protect the health, safety or welfare of the city, regardless of whether the group is funded in whole or part by the municipality.

In other action concerning the police department, Police Chief Doug Kahlstrom presented Mark Avila as a volunteer reserve peace officer. Kahlstrom said Avila is an experienced law enforcement officer whom he is confident will be an asset to the city police force.

The council approved the appointment of Avila.

Also last week, the council cast all 22 of its votes for Ray Upp to serve on the Lampasas County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Upp is presently a member of the LCAD board.

And the council decided to amend the city ordinance that regulates the posting of signs. The action came after a request by Joe Lorette, who is a candidate for Lampasas County sheriff, for a onetime variance to allow him to put up campaign signs along city streets on private property 90 days before the primary and the general election, if needed.

The ordinance was written to comply with the Texas Department of Transportation's regulation on political signs. It limits political signs until 45 days before the election, while TxDOT has a 90-day provision. Political signs can be placed only with the property owner's permission.

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cook questioned why the city's requirements were different from those of TxDOT. "It doesn't make sense to have two different day limits, one for state highways and another for city streets. That would be confusing. And instead of granting a waiver, the ordinance should be amended. We need to have standardization."

In other business, the council voted to solicit sealed bids to sell the city's 1994 Ford police car. Isenhour said the vehicle is not dependable for police work, but with some work it could be a good second car for a family.

Greg Buck, Pedernales Electric Cooperative representative, updated the council on PEC activities in the area. He said the cooperative is upgrading the Copperas Cove feeder line located east of the city. Buck added that a fund disbursement to be paid back to PEC customers probably will come in the form of credit on their bills.

Auditor Jack Clark reviewed Kempner's final financial statement for the 2006-07 fiscal year, and he complimented the city on its fiscal responsibility. "The only thing I can say is what a way to go!"

He said all city departments ended the year on a positive note, and Kempner has about $165,000 in reserve funds. There also was a net increase in the city's fund balance from the previous year.

The only recommendation Clark offered was that the city set up a designated fund for city streets. This would enable Kempner to use the money for street repairs during any fiscal year.

And before adjournment, the council voted to cancel the second November and December meetings due to the holidays. Meeting dates affected are Nov. 27 and Dec. 25.