Report on City Council Meeting on January 14, 2010
The Helotes City Council met at City Hall on January 14, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. All the Council members were there, but there was no City Attorney present. (That’s one way the Mayor tries to save money, no city attorney and no engineer at the Council meetings, but, in my opinion, that could prove to be a false economy.)
There were no citizens present wanting to be heard.
The Mayor’s report consisted of updates on the clearing of City rights-of-way, the progress being made on the Helotes City Park Playground, and the construction of the Police and Fire Stations.
The Mayor says that the bobcat the City purchased is paying for itself. Crews have been clearing rights-of-way in various parts of town, clearing brush within 6 to 10 feet from the pavement along City streets and improving visibility.
All of the playground equipment purchased for the City Park being constructed on municipal grounds has been installed. They have put a walking trail around the perimeter of the park. They are using engineered wood fiber in the “fall zones” under each piece of equipment. The Mayor said the park should be opened in January or February. (Well, since there are only 2 days left in January, I’m guessing February!?)
The New City Park After a Little Rain
They have installed a 12-inch water line and fire hydrants for the police and fire stations. The Mayor is predicting that these stations will be completed by May 2010 (that would be just in time for the election or at least the campaigns [that is IF anyone runs against those currently in office, because if no one does, there won't be any campaigns]!!).
Construction in Progress on New Police Station
New Police Station Area after a Little Rain
New Fire Station Also Scheduled to Open in May
All of the items on the Consent Agenda were approved, including:
The issuance of a Request for Proposal for furniture and related accessories for the new Police and Fire Stations, due by February 12, 2010.
Approval of the alteration, modification, and repair of the cell tower on City property (the huge flag pole at the back of the property).
Approval to use a portion of the money paid to the City by Northside Independent School District for the installation of street signage and school zone flashers along Riggs Road near Helotes Elementary.
There were two items on the agenda for individual consideration:
The first one was the discussion of and action on dedicating a portion of Old Bandera Road (in front of the Floore Country Store) as “Willie Nelson Way.” Council member Legendre said that this had been done in the past and rescinded because the business owners and residents in Old Town Helotes were opposed. (That’s kind of true, I guess. The City Council under Mayor Hodges voted to change the entire length of Old Bandera Road to Willie Nelson Way, or something similar, without letting the businesses or residents know, and they objected, in large part, because they didn’t want to change their address from Old Bandera Road.) According to Legendre, this time the official name of the road won’t be changed; it is just an honorarium. The current owner of Floore’s wants the dedication of the honorary name of the street in front of Floore’s to be done at the same time as the official celebration/dedication of the completion of the improvements in Old Town Helotes. All Council members were in favor of approving this agenda item.
The second one was the amendment of the City’s sidewalk ordinance. Council member Legendre stated that the proposed amendments to the ordinance will add sidewalk requirements to the publicly-dedicated streets in the City’s residential subdivisions.
The new ordinance will also establish specific requirements for the width of the sidewalks and the materials that can be used to build them, which according to Schroder had not been done in the past.
There was much discussion on the amendments to this ordinance, but it was ultimately approved as presented, no additional amendments and no changes to the presented amendments.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.