Report on 7/9/09 Helotes City Council Meeting
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD – The only speaker was Linda Montemayor. She requested that the agenda item on the disc golf course proposed for the Helotes Natural Area at Parrigin and FM 1560 be pulled until the Parks and Recreation Committee has time to consider it and make recommendations to Council. She has concerns about the parking situation, the likelihood of discs ending up hitting cars on Parrigin and/or FM 1560, etc. She doesn’t think this is the right area for a disc golf course.
MAYOR’S REPORT – The Mayor and City staff are continuing to lay out a plan to take care of right-of-way issues, especially in areas where it is difficult for drivers or pedestrians to see on-coming traffic.
Road and traffic signs are being replaced on an as-needed basis. The City is installing the signs and is saving about $60 a pole.
Bridges and culverts are being maintained on a regular basis.
The construction of the police and fire stations was scheduled to begin in June. It is now July, and it hasn’t started. There have been delays, but the equipment should be on-site by next week, and they should start “moving dirt” by next week or the week after. The contractor is committed to staying on schedule from here forward.
CONSENT AGENDA – As listed on the agenda as reported on this website (see report), there were eight agenda items on the consent agenda. All of these items were unanimously approved by Council as predicted with no discussion.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION -
Approval of an ordinance amending “Dedication of Right-of-Way (ROW) by Subdividers” and the City’s current Major Thoroughfare Plan which was approved by City Council in 2004.
Near the intersection of Iron Horse Way, FM 1560, and Antonio Drive, the 2004 Council included a thoroughfare (86-foot ROW) bisecting a triangular piece of property now owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Understandably the Church is now concerned about this designation, as the ordinance would require an 86-foot ROW dedication through the middle of their property. This ROW would have been used to provide a single entrance to Iron Horse Canyon. This was never done and since that time a traffic signal has been installed at Antonio and FM 1560 making it easier for Iron Horse Canyon (IHC) residents to come and go from their subdivision. This proposed ordinance would remove the ROW dedication from the property and transfer the variance authority from Planning and Zoning to City Council.
Council member Whitehead said that the traffic light has helped to relieve some of the bottleneck at the entrance/exit to IHC where about 1/3 of the population of Helotes lives, but he feels that there are still significant safety issues. He is hesitant to approve this change. IHC residents are still concerned about the development of this triangle, parking problems, increases in traffic congestion at the entrance to IHC, etc. Ingress to and egress from that triangle could only happen off of Antonio Road or Iron Horse Way. Apparently the current owner wants to build a church on that property which is 6.9 acres.
Ultimately, Council decided to postpone this item until the next meeting which will be on July 23, 2009. Council members want to see the deed to see of the ROW is shown on it.
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Discussion of and action on the creation of a 9-hole disc golf course within the Helotes Natural Area at Parrigin and FM 1560.
Council member Whitehead said there is a disc golf course in Leon Valley around Mystic Park and Bandera Road, and it is rarely used. He is concerned about the residence right next to the Natural Area, and he thinks the Parks and Recreation Committee should study this proposal and make a recommendation to Council.
Council member Massey also has some questions/concerns: How many people could we expect to use the course? How many cars? Would there be tournaments? Would the City install lights? What would the City’s liability be if someone was injured? Is there enough space for the course? (I was wondering who would take care of the equipment, and where would everyone go to the bathroom?)
Ultimately, Council approved a motion to postpone this agenda item until the first meeting in August to give Parks and Recreation time to consider this proposal and present a recommendation to Council.
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And last but not least, Council, after interviewing four people, approved the appointment of Gary Johnson to replace Council member Jeff Ellis who resigned in May. Council member Massey stated that they could have conducted the interviews in an open forum, but the candidates did not want to do it that way.
Mr. Johnson currently lives in Iron Horse Canyon and has lived in Helotes for over 16 years. He works for AT&T in the corporate tax audit department (if I heard that right). Council member Legendre said he thinks the fact that Johnson is not well known is a good thing. They are planning to have a Meet & Greet for Mr. Johnson to introduce him to Helotes citizens.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.