City streets in dire condition

By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

MARFA – City Administrator Jim Mustard informed city council members Tuesday night that the city’s streets are in bad shape.

During his report to city officials, Mustard said with a grim face, “One issue that the city has and has had is our streets are deteriorating.”

Mustard noted that the condition of city streets is the number one complaint the city receives from residents, other than billing complaints.

The streets will be evaluated and a report from a private firm will be delivered to city officials at a future meeting.

“Eighty plus percent (of the streets) are so bad that seal coating can’t be used,” Mustard said. The city will have to grind up new asphalt to lie down. A pricey project Mustard said.

In other city news, council members:

• Learned that a backhoe for the city’s new gas department has broken and will have to be replaced or repaired in the near future.

• Listened to an update regarding the swimming pool at the Marfa Activity Center building. While the city will not be able to complete sandblasting the pool as part of the upkeep, it should be ready for a Project Graduation in late May and then open for summer use.

• Approved a bid from HD Supply Waterworks of El Paso to work on sewer improvements in the city. The total bid amount was $11,586.

• Approved a bid from X.L. Building Services to replace two double doors at the USO Building. The firm will remove the existing doors, replace them, repair damaged floorboards, do the installation and paint job. The project will cost the city $4,926.