The Dublin City Council voted to move forward with sidewalk renovations in the 100 block of East Blackjack and the replacement of police vehicles during its regular meeting on Monday, April 10.
Dublin City Manager Bobby Mendez reported that TxDOT has confirmed that the highway department does not own the sidewalks that extend from the former site of Three Sisters to the Ben Hogan Museum so the city can move forward in fixing cracked and uneven surfaces. Mendez said Jacob and Martin quoted prices ranging from $67,000 to $116,000 depending on the scope of the work but Dublin EDC is expected to be able to help with costs and theusageof citycrewswillsaveapproximately $20,000.
Based on request from Mendez, the Council unanimously approved drafting an engineering plan so the city can determine how much work is needed and what it will cost.
The council also unanimously approved the purchase of two Dodge Durangos and two used vehicles for the Dublin Police Department. Chief Cameron Ray reported vehicles appropriate for police work are in short supply so he was notified when two Durangos became available. The PD has been financing vehicles every three years with the first set in 2017 costing $35,000 and the second set costing $45,000. The Durangos were quoted at $41,515 and he found two used vehicles for around $20,000 each.
Ray proposed financing the vehicles for four years instead of three for Government Capital and he is offsetting some of the cost through $36,000 the department is receiving through a large scale opioid settlement as well as the sale of the current vehicles. The cost is expected to be approximately $160,000 total with loan payments deferred until next year.
The council also approved an ordinance amending the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles on Moore Street between North Post Oak and Thomas Avenue, on East Valley between North Post Oak and Thomas and Thomas between Moore and Pearl Street. Chief Ray said preventing parking on those streets in school hours should open the flow of traffic for drop-off and pickup at the Intermediate and Elementary schools. Ray expects to do outreach during the summer and start enforcing the ordinance in the fall.
Acting on a request for Dublin Public Library head librarian Adina Dunn, the Council also approved the closing of North Park from West Blackjack to West Live Oak on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dunn reported the library will be hosting a kickoff to the summer reading program on that day and Texas Workforce Solutions is expected to bring a bus with computers to help local teens sign up for the Earn and Learn program to help with community involvement for college applications.
Mayor David Leatherwood also presented Cross Timbers Family Services Executive Director Laura Gambino with a proclamation for Stop the Silence in recognition for the Thursday, April 13 event at the Erath Courthouse recognizing local victims of violent crimes and the organizations working together to help them.
A contract was also unanimously passed between Repairware and the city of Dublin allowing for the sale of old equipment for partial credit in payment for IT services.