The Development Corporation of Snyder (DCOS) board of directors today approved spending $6,280 for the City of Snyder to construct the parking pad at the newly established Drone Zone in the SnTx Industrial Park.
City crews will haul in the material and compact it into the parking pad, DCOS Executive Director Bill Lavers said.
Lavers said he will spend additional money to have boulders moved in and placed around the pad. He said that could cost between $450 and $500 per boulder.
He also told the board that he plans to pay for a billboard on U.S. Hwy. 84 to promote the Drone Zone and industrial park.
In a related matter, the board approved a resolution noting its contribution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Business Grant for the flight simulator grant. The DCOS contribution is the Drone Zone land which is valued at $166,500.
On a split vote, the board approved giving the Scurry County Museum $5,000 for its educator position. The museum is raising money for a matching grant to fund the position.
Board member Melissa Petty, who made the motion, said it would create a job in the county.
“That is what we are to do,” she said.
When asked his opinion, Lavers said the museum is part of the USDA grant application and the position could provide opportunities for schools and the community.
“They will have to find the right person to interact with students. It should be about more than the summer camps,” he said.
Board president Mark McClain said the museum was “making some changes that were positive.”
Mike Hoyle seconded the motion. Joe Coronado and Dennis Westmoreland voted against the request which left McClain to break the tie. He voted in favor of granting the request.
Lavers also updated the board on the street light painting project. He showed the board that most of the light fixtures around the square are now the same and called that a “small victory” with Oncor.
City and Oncor officials are working to have the poles painted black. Lavers asked for quotes to have just the poles and arms painted and not the fixture. He told the board today that it would cost more than the $100 per pole estimate he first presented in November.
The DCOS board agreed to purchase 34 decorative bases, for $250 each, for each of the light poles.
The city has received bids from Primary Utilities Services and Standard Utilities for the project, which are being reviewed by city officials.
Also today, directors voted to allow Lavers to continue negotiations with Primary Utilities Services on a partnership for a transmission line training center in the industrial park.
Following a 96-minute closed session to discuss prospects, incentives and real property, the board took no action.