The Italy City Council heard good news Monday night at its monthly meeting. Don Chambers, fire chief, said the Insurance Service Office has reclassified the City of Italy from a Class 7 to a Class 5.

“That means your community’s fire suppression services are improving in the face of the demands of a changing environment,” according to a letter from the International Services Office of Austin.

Chambers said homeowners could see their insurance rates drop up to 7% per point. This means, depending on your insurance company, homeowners could see a savings up to 14%.

He said the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule allocates credit by evaluating three major features:

• Fire alarm and communication system — This review accounts for 10% of the total classification, which centers upon a community’s facilities and support for handling and dispatching fire alarms.
• Fire department – This review accounts for 50% of the total classification, which focuses upon items such as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department manning and training.
• Water supply system – This review accounts for 40% of the total classification highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression, including hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants.

Chambers said, “We’ve come a long way in the last few years.”

Paul Lewis of Empower Energy presented a slide show presentation regarding alternative and permanent energy solutions that featured solar skylights, window film, windmills and other options that could help conserve energy.

Lewis told the council that Americans use 15 times more energy per person than typical developing countries. Lewis said Texas is in a zone best suited for solar power.

In other business, Tom Peyton, police lieutenant, introduced several reserve and full time officers: Thomas Baxter, Beth Villarreal, Tierra Mooney, Donald Brazeal, Doug Morgan, Cindy McDowell and Chris Bentley.

He presented Bentley with a commendation for the assistance with an arrest on Dec. 2. Peyton said Bentley had just ended his shift and was leaving when he heard the police call regarding a robbery. He found the suspects and followed in his personal vehicle while in communication with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department.

Once the suspects discovered they were being followed, they started throwing stolen items out of the vehicle. He eventually assisted in the apprehension of the suspects.

Peyton also had a commendation for Mike Adams and Jason Bentley who were unable to be present. The officers were driving down I-35E when they spotted a vehicle with a lighting violation. Peyton said there were several discrepancies and received permission to search the vehicle. There, they found 506 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $48,200.

Emmanuel Castro spoke to the council concerning the placement of stop signs on Popular Street at Sims Street and Wood Street.

Since road construction is complete on Poplar Street between Ridge Street and Sims Street, Castro said speeders are blatantly disregarding the law. He claims speeders are driving 60 and 70 miles per hour down the street. He requested stop signs be put up to slow traffic since children play in the neighborhood.

There were also complaints about kids riding go-carts down the street. Peyton said it was illegal to ride go-carts down the street since they are unregistered and drivers are unlicensed.

The council requested Peyton and the police chief start patrolling the area and running radar to slow traffic down.

The council also set May 9 as general election for electing a mayor, two council members for two years terms and one council member for an unexpired one-year term.

After a great deal of discussion, the council voted to pave the remainder of Poplar Street from Simms Street to Harris Street. The estimate, received from Ellis County, is $29,604.40. This includes cleaning ditches and replacing culverts.

This costs approximately half of the city’s available road construction budget. The council tabled item regarding the construction of White Street and Park Street.

Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator, said there were floor tiles in city hall that are popping off the floor. She said it has become a trip hazard and said repairs were necessary before someone was injured on the job.

The council approved a bid for $3,205.32 from Lone Star Floor Covering. Murdock said the company will do the job done over a weekend so city business will not be interrupted.

The council has scheduled a workshop to discuss further road maintenance as well as various ordinances on Monday, Feb. 16.