Executive Officer Capt. Weston Amaya, right, presented Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks with the Apache Company Coin as an expression of appreciation for the support from Bullard residents which his unit received while deployed in Iraq. (Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul The Bullard City Council took steps to move ahead in several areas at the regular monthly meeting Tuesday, July 13.

Some things to look forward to in Bullard include more street lights, a new Chamber of Commerce office, safe walkways for students to travel to and from school and a new library. Infrastructure for a new business was approved and there are plans in the works for a farmers-style market, an RV park and a spray (or water) park.

In a rare move for the Texas Department of Transportation, an agreement with the city of Bullard is near completion for the abandoned right-of-way property formerly used by the railroad from Bullard High School to the Brook Hill School.

“What we’re actually pursuing is a maintenance agreement for concrete walkways that would allow children to walk safely to school,” said Bullard City Manager Larry Morgan. “Our goal, first and foremost, is to provide a safe right-of-way.”

Morgan said it’s a big deal. The city will not be able to construct permanent structures on the land, and while the plans do not include a “trail” system, it is likely that some of the property eventually will be landscaped.

Council members also took the initial steps for the future construction of a Chamber of Commerce office building. The council approved the payment of $14,375 to TxDOT for 0.681 of an acre of surplus property adjacent to Main Street and Phillips Street and West Emma Street. The funds will be reimbursed to the city by the Chamber.

“This is a big step forward,” said Bullard City Councilman Jay Abercrombie, who also is a member of the Chamber building committee. “The Chamber will have a home.”

Now that the land will be available, progress toward construction of the Chamber office will proceed. Abercrombie said the small office may reflect the remodeling of other downtown buildings or, possibly, resemble a train depot.

Chamber business is being conducted at the Bullard City Hall on a part-time basis.

Additionally, the council approved sewer improvements for Courtney Drive and authorized a payment of $24,450 to 7-H Construction Company regarding the improvements.

Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks said bids are being accepted for a new spray (water-style) park in Bullard. The park will likely be located south of the city tennis courts and plans include a changing area. The spray park likely will be fenced and a modest fee will be charged to help with maintenance and upkeep.

Morgan also said laying the water and sewer lines for H&P Drilling is back on track. H&P Drilling, located in the south part of the city, is open for operations and the new lines will provide needed infrastructure for the business.

Plans also are in the works for laying the new water line for the future library building, according to Morgan.

Bob Burnett of Kiepersol Estates, said a new RV park, K.E. Bushman’s Park, will open Sept. 1 on U.S. Highway 69, south of Bullard. Burnett told council members that the park will have 93 spaces and will include a fishing lake, a swimming pool, a small store, bathrooms and showers, a game/recreation room, a walking path and fire pits.

“We tried to design it to an upscale park,” Burnett said.

The park will accommodate the largest RVs down to tents.

In other business, the council accepted a delivery receipt of a check for $142,584 from Charles Hill of Oncor Electric Delivery. Bullard was paid 3 percent of a franchise agreement and should have been paid 4 percent. The check represents the difference, plus interest.

“I appreciate working with you,” Hill said to the city council. “All of your staff here are very professional.”

Council members also approved proceeding with the SECO Energy Efficiency and Conservation grant from Oncor for lighting and air conditioning energy efficiency upgrades at city property.

Also, the council approved adding street lights, where possible, in the Morgan Addition of the city. The request was from Coun- cil Member Rodger Johnson, and while as many lights as possible will be added, the city does not have funds available to add transformers that might be required for additional lights.

“We’re going to help out, but we can’t have a street light on every pole,” Morgan said.

Additionally, Mark Stone’s last day at the Bullard Police Department was Friday, July 16. Bullard Police Chief Gary Lewis hired Alan Oliver as an officer, which will provide the department with six officers and the chief.

Lewis also said there were fewer criminal activities in Bullard compared to the same time last year, but the department has increased the number of traffic citations and warnings. Many of the citations and warnings were given to drivers on U.S. Highway 69, which is still under construction.

According to TxDOT officials, completion of the construction project on U.S. Highway 69 was projected for the end of July, but rain in late June and early July may have altered the projection.

City officials also are concerned about the speed limits that may be set on U.S. Highway 69 once construction is complete. Council members said they plan on writing to TxDOT to request a lower than projected speed limit on the state highway through Bullard.

TxDOT usually determines speed limits by the velocity of the majority of drivers who use a given stretch of roadway. Other than road engineering, other factors to determine highway speeds are rarely considered.

Laurie Durrett, owner of Lolly & Pops Coffee Shop and Consignment Store in Bullard said a group of Bullard citizens are interested in establishing a farmers-style market. Durrett said plans are in the very early stages. The market likely will be set up at least once weekly somewhere in the open area of the old rail line and while it would primarily be to sell produce, the market could also feature homemade crafts and more.

Council members also considered the status of the planned wastewater treatment plant in Bullard. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality previously ruled in favor of the city regarding a request from landowners in the area of the planned treatment plant to consider the effect of effluent water possibly produced from the plant that could flow into streams or rivers on nearby land.

However, TCEQ allows an appeal process, which will continue to delay plans to start potential construction on the plant. Morgan said city administrators daily monitor TCEQ activities to determine if and when there will be a decision regarding the appeal.

“Something will happen,” he said. “If they (TCEQ) turn them down again and they don’t file a civil suit, we’re good to go.”

Until then, the city is not even able to obtain a permit to start plans for the treatment plant.

Executive Officer Capt. Weston Amaya, a former Bullard High School graduate and an Army Ranger who served in Iraq, presented the council and city of Bullard a special letter of thanks. Bullard city employees organized a campaign to send packages, especially during the Christmas season, to soldiers deployed in war zones overseas. Amaya’s letter was as follows:

“Thank you for your outstanding support and encouragement to the Soldiers deployed to Samarra, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11 from 2008-2009. Your steadfast encouragement markedly improved the morale and wellbeing of the Soldiers of Apache Company which helped contribute to mission success. It is because of the efforts, thoughts, and prayers of patriots at home that we, as a unit, are able to complete the most difficult tasks.

“On behalf of the Soldiers and Leaders of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment the City of Bullard, especially Bullard City Hall Employees, is presented with the Apache Company Coin for outstanding support of the unit while deployed in Iraq.”