Raymondville has a beautiful new $2.1 million building on FM3168 across the street from the high school. This fall it will house long distance learning classes from the University of Texas & Southmost College at Brownsville.

In the meantime the offices of Workforce Solutions, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corp. will be moving into the new structure which was made possible by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economic Development Corp. (EDC)

It will take a lot of furniture and computers to fill the new building and last night city manager Eleazar "Yogi" Garcia told commissioners of a new $272,000 grant that will pay for the transformation of a 13,000 sq. ft. empty building into a fully equipped learning center on 20 acres south of the city.

June 14 will be move in day for many of the individuals who will share the office space together, including Catalina Ozuna, hired by the city as a secretary/administrative assistant to man the Economic Development Corp. office and telephones. Her salary of $25,000 was approved by commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting.

Ce1l Phone Policy

Commissioners discussed a cell phone policy. City manager Garcia said the city is trying to curtail the use of city cell phones for personal business.

He mentioned a recent Texas Attorney General ruling, that city business discussed on cell phones is a matter of public record which can be turned over to media on their request.

Chief Zamora cautioned that city employees must not use cell phones while they are driving an automobile.

Chemical bids opened

Commissioners watched as the city manager opened chemical bids submitted by four companies. Garcia said the city water treatment plant uses $375,000 in chemicals each year.

Bids came from Siemens Water Technology, Altiva Corp, General Chemicals and Valley Solvent. Bids will be studied and recommendations will be made to commissioners at the next city meeting. Old Patrol cars donated to RISD

Commissioners agreed to donate two used patrol cars valued at $500 each to the Raymondville ISD after discussing the $23,000 damage done to one of the new units in a collision June 1. Insurance is expected to cover the replacement costs.

Boys & Girls Club discussed

A list of appointees to an advisory committee to work toward a new Boys & Girls Club was discussed. City Commissioner Mary Gutierrez and city manager Garcia will represent the city, while other members will come from the county government, public schools, and businesses.

Garcia talked about failed attempts to keep a youth club going. Finances seems to be the main problem and he said to make a club go, budgeted funds

Continued from Page 1 from the city, county and civic organizations must be available.

He said the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club might sponsor an effort in Raymondville and run it for a while. Money from Walmart and H-E-B might also be available, he said.

"We have to hire a director and we will need a budget.”

“If we want this, its gonna come from the city and county budgets," he said.

Chamber of Commerce Manager Elma Chavez will coordinate the project, he said.

City collects 79% of Tax Levy

During the first eight months of the fiscal year the city has collected $816,346 in advalorem taxes, or 79 % of the total, Garcia said.

Hurricane Fence

The city spent $1,500 to rent a chain link fence to use at the demolition site of the Whitewing Hotel. Now that it has been knocked down the fence will be removed, said the city manager. Oil Spill means jobs for migrants

Commissioner Mary Gutierrez reported that migrant workers from Texas can qualify for $12 an hour jobs cleaning up after the oil spill in Louisiana. Overtime pay of $20 an hour can be earned, she said. Those interested should call Beatrice Farias of the Texas Migrant Council office in Weslaco for more information, she said.

Fireworks Show

Fireworks will once again be part of the city Fourth of July Celebration. City manager Garcia reported the cost is expected to be $3,000. KENAF EXPERIMENT UNDERWAY

The city manager reported that the waste treatment plant is testing Kenaf fiber product at the local sewer plant. Garcia said the treatment has already proven effective in a North Carolina trial. The city will test the product for two months and by mid-August should know if it has been effective in breaking down waste solids.

The South Texas Kenaf plant near Lasara is also shipping the product to Louisiana to use in clean up operations on beaches contaminated by the oil spill.

Finally, Commissioner Yolanda Alexandre complim-ented city compliance manager Andy Chavez on the good job he did on the White Wing Hotel demolition.

"You guys did an awesome job. Several people have commented about how great the city looks without that building."

Chavez reported that the city has also knocked down a vacant house on the corner of Rodriguez and 10th Street and that other condemnations are forthcoming.