Seadrift City Council met on Tuesday, March 3 with several members of the community in attendance who observed a short and efficient meeting to conduct the business of the City.
Following the invocation, pledges to the flags and review of the last meetings minutes, reports were given by the various City departments. Police Chief Leonard Bermea reported the busiest month ever with over 500 calls for service in the month of February. The calls ranged from information to calls resulting in arrest. Fifteen reports were written including: 1 DWI resulting in a crash; 6 Criminal Trespass; 1 Runaway Child (returned); 2 Thefts of between 50-500 dollars; 1 Missing Child (returned); 1 Terroristic Threat; 1 Attempted Suicide; 3 Family Violence Assault with Injury; 1 Loud Music; 1 Resisting Arrest, Search or Transport; 1 interfering with Public Duties; 1 Escape from Custody (by breaking out back window of police car); 1 Criminal Mischief; 1 Assault on a Public Servant; and 1 No Driver’s License.
There were seven arrests: 2 on Warrants; 3 Family Violence; 1 Terroristic Threat; 1 Juvenile Arrest; and 1 Theft of 50-500 dollars. Chief Bermea praised the workers at Dick’s Food Store for their help in solving the theft.
During the month there were 103 traffic stops, resulting in 22 Citations and 81 Warnings.
Chief Bermea was happy to report that the Department has received a $14,000 grant from Homeland Security which was used to purchase two 100 watt car radios and one long-range hand-held radio. He expressed his thanks to the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce for their generosity in purchasing a $3,900 patrol car camera.
Mayor DeForest gave the Building Permit Report, noting that five permits had been approved, totaling $289,000.00 increase in property valuation to the City.
City Judge Janet Rosenboom reported 25 new cases for the month of February. Twenty-seven cases were closed, leaving 61 current cases. Total fines collected were $2,849.10. Of that amount, the City keeps $1,460.41; $50.90 goes into the Municipal Court Secretarial Fund; $67.86 goes to the Municipal Court Technical Fund; and $1,269.93 goes to the State.
Councilman Brigham gave the Code Enforcement report. Five dogs were picked up and impounded to Port Lavaca; Six dogs were picked up and returned to owners with Warnings; One dog was picked up and returned to owners with Tickets; 14 Verbal/Written Warnings were issued. Five cats were trapped and impounded; 27 wild animals (possums, skunks, etc.) were trapped. There were four call-outs for animals hit by cars and one for cows in the street.
Mayor DeForest reported that application for the biennial Texas Dept. of Agriculture-Community Development Grant has been submitted. Should the City be awarded the $275,000 grant, it will be used for sewer/water upgrades.
The Mayor reminds Seadrift citizens that March 23 through 26 is the annual Spring Clean Up. Brush to be picked up must be stacked prior to March 23. Details are available at City Hall.
The next meeting of Seadrift City Council will be held Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. All Seadrift citizens are welcome to attend.
