For several years Lyford residents have wanted to see the city police force reactivated. It was disbanded by the former mayor following a conflict with the police chief Rene Leal.

Since then local residents have depended on the Sheriff's Dept. in Raymondville to provide police protection. That hasn't always worked out because of the reaction time to calls for help.

Now Lyford has a new police chief and a new municipal judge. Lyford residents will have better protection from burglars, graffitti and even barking dogs.

Police Chief Paul Campbell also has the responsiblity of enforcing traffic laws and new Muncipal Judge Rebecca "Becky" Sanchez will levy fines for traffic violations.

At a special meeting Monday evening commissioners approved a list of fines that covers offenses ranging from speeding, not using seat belts, no driver's license, public intoxication, burning trash in the city limits, fireworks, and curfew violations.

City Secretary Lydia Moreno said the fines are the same as those levied in Raymondville, five miles away.

Speeding tickets range from a low of $50.00 to a high of $225.00 but when $90.10 in court costs are added those fines range from $140.10 to $315.10.

Running a stop sign will cost a driver $40.90 plus court costs of $90.10, or a total of $131.00.

Driving, or riding in an automobile without a seat belt can really be expensive, $100.00 for the fine and $90.l0 for court costs.

Driving with an open container of beer, wine, or liquor in the car will result in a fine of $l00.90, plus $90.10 court costs.

Defective tail lights, stop lights, or an expired inspection sticker can cost a driver $130.00 and expired vehicle license tags will cost $97.00.

Fines for violations of other city ordinances range from $107.00 for shooting fireworks in town; $107.00 for skate boards, loose dogs $82.00; Livestock in town $107.00; curfew violation $107.00; unreasonable noise $157.00 and burning trash $107.00.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

Commissioners approved 8- homes for remodeling with federal grant funds of up to $30,000 each.

"We'll tear them down and rebuild if the cost goes higher than that," said Kenneth Coignet of Public Management Inc., He said it will likely be six months before construction can begin due to the necessity of advertising for bids, reviewing contracts and gaining State approval.

A motion to approve the first 8-homes to be rehabilitated was made by Commissioner Antonio Chavez. Joey Mendoza refrained from voting and the measure passed with the support of Commissioners Chavez, Pablo Moreno and Mayor Henry De La Paz. Commissioner Ramon Perez was absent and did not vote.

Commissioners hired Idea Group of McAllen as the architects and general contractors for the planned city hall renovation. Architect Jesus Bustos and construction manager Ray Bustamonte said the project will take about eight months to complete.

The city must first go out for bids on materials.

The city has a $100,000 grant for remodeling and the architect's charge will be 8 percent and the construction manager's fee will be 12 percent, leaving the city $80,000 to do the remodeling.

A motion by Joey Mendoza to hire Idea Group passed on a unanimous vote.

Commissioners approved an Interlocal agreement with the county to allow the use of the sheriff's radio and dispatcher, by the Lyford Police Dept.

A 4-way Stop sign will be placed at the corner of Park Ave. and La Noria streets "hopefully to prevent accidents," said Mayor De La Paz.

Commissioners approved asphalt ramps to allow wheel chair access to the new picnic tables for the handicapped in the city park. The city will have 10 picnic tables with five dedicated to the handicapped.

Fire chief Michael Birdson got approval to buy masks and gloves for his men at a cost of $834.00.

City Secretary Lydia Moreno told Birdson that such equipment is more important than decals and tee shirts the department bought recently. She suggested asking Walmart for a $1,000 emergency equipment grant.

Birdson replied that he now has nine active grant applications.

Office equipment for the new municipal court was approved, including a $1,189.00 fireproof filing cabinet and a printer/ copier/ fax machine for $299.00.

On a motion by Antonio Chavez, Commissioners okayed $37,908.00 for playground equipment recently installed in the city park. Miracle Recreation Equipment of San Antonio provided the equipment.

Iventory tax of $1,600.00 pending from Rodriguez Ford were waived after the city manager explained that the taxes were paid to the county and there was a delay before the city got their share of the money.

Melissa Rodriguez and her neighbor asked Commissioners to allow more show animals to be housed in the city than the two per family now allowed by the ammended ordinance.

Commissioner Chavez said, " A large number of animals confined in a small area can be a nuisance.

Commissioner Mendoza said the Lyford CISD should have an, Ag farm for local kids to keep their animals.

"The schools should have an ag farm, its not the city's problem," he said. "The school has more money than we do and they've got the land," he added. Public works director Harvey Lopez told Rodriguez, "If you've got two kids you have two animals, nobody is preventing it."

Rodriguez had the last say, "We just wish you would put back the 2007 ordinance. We should have never brought this up." She said that her neighbors don't complain about her show animals, which will likely be sold at the livestock fair and auction this week.

“We've got to consider your neighbors. Just because they don't complain that doesn't mean they don't cares,” said one the commissioners.