The Friona City Council took two steps closer to making daycare in the city a reality. A bid for the Friona Daycare Center Building Renovation Project was approved in the amount of $228,000 with an initial spending limit of $115,000 to get the building upgraded for use. A lease agreement with Little Tribe Daycare for the Daycare Services Project was also approved. Tentative plans are for the facility to be operational sometime in September.
The Friona City Council met in regular session on Monday May 8, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 617 Main in Friona, Texas. The meeting began with roll call, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no public comments. The Minutes of the April 10, 2023 meeting were reviewed and approved.
A request from Steve Meeks for a zoning designation change from single-family dwelling to commercial was approved unanimously. Also, a request from Patricia Barrientos for a trailer variance was approved. Council member Cindy Moreno abstained from the vote.
The Council approved a proposal from Richard Bermea, owner of Bermea Construction, to pave the street east of Lowe's Market with a new "slurry seal" process. A nearby street will have the standard "chip seal" applied to it this summer. Council members, as well as the general public, will have the opportunity to compare the two processes in order to make decisions concerning future street repairs.
After hearing recommendations from Fire Marshall & Code Compliance Officer Danny Campbell, the Council approved the adoption of the 2018 International Building Code, the 2018 International Residential Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code. These are the codes that most cities and towns in our area are using.
In other business, the accounts payable for April 2023 were approved as well as the financial statement for April 2023. Consideration on the demolition of the 4-Way Pump building was tabled until the next meeting.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.
Prairie/Legacy News - Lonnie Watson the Prairie Acres Resident of the Month for May. The Employee of the Month is Autumn Fletcher who works in the Nursing Department and has been on staff since March of 2022. Don't forget to purchase a ticket from Jeff Procter, or at Malouf's Fabrics, for a chance to win a quilt at the Mother's Day drawing. Tickets are $5 each and the quilt is on display at Legacy Pointe Senior Apartments.
***
Gone Fishin' - The Friona Economic Development Corporation has announced that Sunday, May 21st is Youth Fishing Day. The event will be conducted by the Texas Junior Anglers, Inc. and will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Reeve Lake just south of the Friona Community Center. More details next week.
***
Baseball News - Last Thursday, Friona Chieftains faced the Idalou Wildcats in the Bi-District Playoffs. The games were played at the new Ballpark in Plainview. The Chiefs fell to Idalou 11-1 in Game 1 and 16-2 in Game 2 in the best 2-of-3 match. It was the first time in six years that Friona had reached the playoffs. The team finished the regular season at 12-11. They were 5-5 in district play and 0-2 in the playoffs
***
Capital Highlights - Kitzy Welch and Yvonne Legarreta are in Austin this week to compete in the Texas Class AAA State Track & Field Meet at Mike A. Meyers Stadium in Austin. Kitzy will compete in the Discus event at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Yvonne will run in the 3200M on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and the 1600M sometime after 7:00 p.m. Go Big Red!!! Kitzy and Yvonne are the new school record holders in all three of the events.
***
National Days
May 11: Foam Rolling Day
May 12: Limerick Day
May 13: Train Day
May 14: Mother's Day
May 15: Chocolate Chip Day
May 16: Barbeque Day
May 17: Hypertension Day
***
Parmer County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, May 8th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the County Courtroom of the Parmer County Courthouse in Farwell, Texas. The meeting began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and Texas Flag.
Commissioners approved a motion 5-0 to petition the state to implement county-wide voting. If approved, county residents from all four (4) precincts will be able to vote at any of the polling locations in the county. A motion was also approved for the use of $72,500 of ARPA funds to purchase voting machines and printers. County Clerk Susie Spring said the goal was to have county-wide voting available for the next election.
Approval was given for the advertising of a Notice to Bid for Bank Depository for Parmer County accounts for a term of four (4) years.
Parmer County Sheriff Eric Geske reported to the Court that the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center is currently housing 17 inmates of which 1 is a paying customer from Dawson County. The Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Parmer and Lubbock County was renewed for the housing & care of inmates. The fee was set at $75 per day.
In other business, cybersecurity training through the Texas Association of Counties was approved as well as continuing education hours for JP Precinct 1 Rhonda Wilkins and Veterans Service Officer Richard Villarreal. A water line under a county road in Precinct 1 was also approved. The new water bottle filling station that was approved at the last meeting is scheduled to be installed within the next two weeks.
There were no comments from the public during the open forum. Minutes from the April 24th meeting were read and approved. Commissioners approved the payment of the accounts payables as presented by County Treasurer Sharon May. The Treasurer's Payroll Report was also approved. The next regular meeting is Monday, May 22nd.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.
May 6, 2023
Friona ISD Board of Trustees
Unofficial Results
Glen London 59
Shawn Pitsch 142
*Wade Schueler 182
*John Jarecki 150
*elected
Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors
Unofficial Results
*Danny Kendrick 142
Greg O'Brian 98
*Ricky Barnett 189
*elected
Farwell, Texas - Voters in Parmer County may soon be able to vote at any county polling location on Election Day. Parmer County Commissioners, along with the County Clerk and Voter Registrar, have requested the implementation of Countywide Vote Centers which will allow registered voters to vote at any Voting Location. The court voted on Monday, May 8, 2023, to approve a resolution petitioning the Texas Secretary of State to allow Parmer County to participate in the program in the November 7, 2023, 7th Constitutional Amendment Election.
All registered voters will have the opportunity to vote at a polling location that is the most convenient to the voter. There are people closer to Bovina whose assigned polling place is Farwell. This program will allow them to vote in Bovina, if your parents live in another precinct of the county then you do, this will allow all of you to vote at one place. In Friona, there are three precinct polling places. This program would allow the county to have one place in Friona that everyone can vote, no matter what precinct you live in.
There will be 4 Vote Centers strategically located across the county. There will be one in each town at previously used locations. On election day a registered voter can vote at any location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A list of the locations will be formally approved by the Commissioners after the State has approved participation in the program.
The County Clerk has discussed this program for almost two years. Commissioners approved the purchase of necessary equipment and technology to provide a smooth Countywide Voting process. County officials will now wait on a response from the Secretary of State. Everyone feels confident that the county will be allowed to participate in the program.
According to the Texas Secretary of State's Office, more than 90 counties utilize countywide voting in the state. There is a mix of large, medium, and small counties in the program.
For more information on the program or Parmer County Elections please call 806.481.3691 or visit