Council OKs some traffic enforcement
Subdivision association asks for police presence
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com
City Hall offices will be closed

Thursday and Friday. Bullard Mayor A.W. Hines - although recusing himself due to a conflict of interest - said he's happy with the city council's decision to allow traffic enforcement in the community he developed.

"There are too many children, and too many trucks traveling fast," he said. "We believe it's in the best interests of the residents to have traffic enforcement."

The council unanimously approved the measure at Thursday's council meeting.

Hines, developer of Pecan Valley Ranch, and councilman Lindsay Bradley both sit on the board of the Pecan Valley Ranch Homeowner's Association, so the two recused themselves when the item came before council.

Residents said they're happy with the vote.

"I've seen it," said Pecan Valley homeowner Larry Krantz. "Some of the contractors seem more intent on getting to their destination than remembering this is a residential community."

Because of the community's gated status, traffic enforcement is something the residents or homeowner's association must petition for and then receive council approval.

The item was on the October agenda, but it was tabled.

"We tabled the item to err on the side of caution, " Hines said. "Lindsay and I don't want to want to have a conflict of interest by voting in the matter."

With the two recused, there were not enough members present to vote on the matter.

But at that meeting, Pecan Valley resident David Huffman spoke on behalf of the association.

"Our concern is for the safety of the subdivision and the children who live there," he said. "We would ask that traffic laws be enforced; we don't want to pick specifics. We want them all enforced."

Hines said it would be an advantage to the city because the association is not asking for other services - such as street upkeep.

Krantz agreed.

"I think it's a positive step for our community," he said. "Police presence is always a good thing.

"It's an added layer of protection."

A state statute was passed a few years ago allowing a municipality to enforce traffic on private streets at either its discretion or by petition by the subdivision.

In other business, the council:

! conducted two public hearings and adopted ordinances on zoning at phases 1-A and 5 of Pecan Valley Ranch;

! adopted ordinances annexing phases 1-A and 5 of Pecan Valley Ranch;

! approved an agreement with Graham Construction for sharing the cost and participation in a water line extension to Emma Street;

! agreed to pay Landmark Structures an installment for $900,000 in connection with construction of the elevated water storage tank;

! agreed to retain Hugh Goodpasture to provide the city's audit service for 2007; and

! agreed change the time of council meetings from 6:30 to 6 p.m.

The Bullard City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at City Hall on North Phillips Street. The public is encouraged to attend.

For more information, call city hall at 903-894-7223.