Parks planning and grant applications, and ordinances regarding curbside parking and wheeled conveyances in commercial areas are among the items to be discussed and considered by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, Oct. 1.
Parks
At least three items on the agenda deal with parks. The council is to hold a public hearing regarding plans to submit a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for funding to help with improvements at Pacific Park.
City officials have called for a special election which would allow the city to receive up to $200,000 from EDC funding per year for improvements at Pacific Park and a new senior citizens activities facility. This would be used along with the parks grant, and funding from a property sale to create a new Grays Building, construct a new pavilion and improve facilities at Pacific Park.
Following a series of public meetings over the last year, city officials also are slated to present for City Council consideration a parks and open space master plan for city recreational parks and facilities.
The City Council too will be asked to consider giving the city manager authority to prepare and submit an application a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Local Grant Program.
Ordinances
To increase visibility for safer travels, the city is being asked on second reading to approve Ordinance 2759. This would prohibit parking within 30 feet of an intersection. The city attorney explained during the September meeting that this would be implemented in phases, with those most in need of the markings for safer visibility into oncoming traffic to be addressed first. The process as proposed would be gradual due to the cost of the change.
Also proposed on second reading is Ordinance 2760, which would amend Chapter 25, Article VI, changing the title of said code to “Bicycles, Scooters and other wheeled conveyances which expands the coverage to prohibit skateboards, scooters, roller blades and other similar devices on sidewalks in commercially.” Basically, this would apply to business areas but not necessarily neighborhoods, unless the residence is within a commercially zone area.
That’d simply keep bikes and skateboards off sidewalks in commercial business areas such as downtown, as a safety precaution for people walking as well as those on wheels.
Other Items
During the presentations, proclamations, and announcements part of the council meeting, Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski is slated to discuss housing and infrastructure.
The city manager will also give his monthly report on city activities and projects, including updates on capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures, revenues, purchases and abatement orders.
The City Council will also be asked to consider transfer of solid waste hauling contract from Sanitation Solutions to Waste Connections and authorizing the city manager to execute an advanced funding agreement or other similar agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding FM 1870 Overpass Bridge.
Time is designated at the end of the meeting for members of the public to formally address the City Council.
