CITY OF COOPER SPECIAL TOWN HALL MEETING OCTOBER 30, 2017 - 5:00 PM COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: DARREN BRADDY; MAYOR, DAVID PHILLIPS, E. J. CATES, DONNA THOMASON, AND WILLIE "BEAR" WILKINS OTHERS PRESENT: EMILY HOWSE, PHILLIP STERCHAK, CARMEN CHESSHER, HALEY BRIGGS, SHERRY WRIGHT, BILL CROW, BRENDA DONALDSON, DON DONALDSON, AMANDA LESPERANCE, MERCEDES VALDEZ, MARCIA LAIR, D.D. YOUNG, KAREN ATKINS, SUSAN RASER, JOE ADAMS, BONNIE HOBBS, MONTY HOBBS, ANTHONY SMITH, PAUL DWYER, JENNIFER DWYER, TONDA KILROY, LYNNE MORRIS, KAYWIN CONLEY, BILL MONSEES, DUANE SKEEN, DOROTHY SKEEN, SHIRLEY SMITH, GAYLON MADDOX, BRENDA GABBARD, DEVONNE MORRIS, KEITH MORRIS, JIM BUTLER, DELBERT HORTON, ED JONES, PAULA JONES, BRYAN MCDONALD, JENELL PARKER, BEN PARKER, DONALD FULLER, DENISE BRADDY, AND CYNTHIA VERASKA THERE WERE SEVERAL UNREADABLE NAMES ON THE SIGN IN SHEET AND SEVERAL THAT DID NOT SIGN IN AGENDA ITEM #1 Mayor Darren Braddy opened the meeting and voiced the prayer. AGENDA ITEM #2 Mayor Darren Braddy began the meeting with an explanation of the process of city government. Darren then went on to state his outlook and plans for his tenure as mayor. He stated that code compliance was a major item and positive outlook and input from the community was a necessity. Darren touched on many subjects of concern which included code compliance, beautification, repair of streets, animal issues, speed issues, employee operations, park standards, permits, communication and the community coming together to support the employees of the city and not be adversaries of them. Mayor Braddy then touched on the brick issue. He stated that someone had brought this matter to the attention of the council due to the rough passage across the square. This is the reason the bricks are being discussed at this time. Mayor stated that TXDOT was working on a plan for repairs and the public would be informed as soon as possible. Darren then asked for input from the public. Tonda Kirby asked if this was a county or city issue. Darren stated that it concerned both city and county but it was a city and state issue of repairs. Duane Skeen asked what the plan of fix was. Darren stated that TXDOT was working on the plan. Gaylon Maddox requested that no 18 wheel trucks be allowed on this area. Darren stated that this was a huge agricultural community and not allowing 18 wheelers would not seem to be a good idea. Paul Dwyer asked if ground work had been discussed with TXDOT. Darren stated that he had given his grand vision to TXDOT to consider. Monty Hobbs suggested a weight limit and asked at what point a design committee be assigned. Darren stated that was not known at this time. Kaywin Conley stated that Breckenridge was dealing with a brick issue also and TXDOT fixed their bricks. Jenell Parker quoted Philip Kingston saying it was a bad idea to put a highway through a city. Jenell stated that lived on a street that is affected and speed is a great conçern. She stated that the rough bricks slow traffic down. Cynthia Veraska asked if TXDOT was receptive to ideas from the community. Cynthia also asked the possibility of additional funding to make the whole square area match. Darren stated that funding was not a budgetary option. He also stated that all grant possibilities would go toward necessary repairs before beautification. Marcia Lair stated that with sO many bad streets in Cooper, why are the bricks an issue. Darren reiterated that it was due to a complaint to the council. Marcia sternly stated the she was an advocate of every brick. Brenda Gabbard stated than in her opinion the park area was dangerous. The equipment was outdated and the landing area had no cushion for little ones that might fall. She asked if funds could be donated to go toward a project to update and fix this area of concern. Darren stated that he had previously stated that in his opinion it would be a good idea to set up funds for this kind of thing. D. D. Young stated that speed was a hit and miss issue on N.W. 1. David Phillips stated that TXDOT did a study and stop lights were not an option due low traffic. Sherry Wright stated that she wanted a 4-way stop put on E. Waco Street. Duane Skeen stated that stop signs were continually ignored. Gaylon Maddox stated that the city needs to be proactive on animal issues. Darren stated that he was desperately trying to work a deal with Commerce to help with our stray animal issue. D.D. Young stated that the dip at N.W. 1st and Bonham needed immediate attention. Darren stated that this is a state highway and the state won't touch it due to the bricks. Kaywin Conley stated that the dip had been there forever. She also stated that she knows the council wants to do something nice with the bricks. She has a petition that 46 people has signed wanting to save all of the bricks. Please save the bricks Kaywin stated. Anthony Smith thanked the council for having this public meeting. He stated that he would like to see someone coordinate events sO they didn't interfere with each other. Cynthia Veraska suggested that a digital speed radar to possibly slow down traffic approaching the square. Kaywin Conley asked if a dip sign could be placed. Darren stated that we were waiting on TXDOT. Marcia Lair asked that when a plan was presented would the citizens be allowed to talk to the engineers of the project. Darren stated absolutely. Amanda L'Esperance asked Darren to update on grants and the process of obtaining them. Darren explained the process and that the city had a fund especially for grant match. Amanda then asked about the graffiti situation. Darren stated that he had dropped the ball on this issue. He stated that the city would supply graffiti remover and offer help to remove. Bonnie Hobbs stated that the county could get grants but they were greatly decreased due to the county's small size. Dorothy Skeen asked what the city was going to do about all of the dilapidated houses. Darren stated that we were tagging them as they came to our attention and, in cooperation with Sanitation Solutions which donates equipment and labor to demolish and the city pays hauling and weight, we would get to them as soon as funds would allow. Marcia Lair stated that in her opinion that Darren was on the right path for the city but all couldn't be done at once. Darren agreed as he had made this statement early in this meeting. Darren stated that in 2024 Delta County would be the center location for the total eclipse. He stated that this could pose a good opportunity for Cooper and we need to get on the ball to get Cooper in shape for this possibility. Jenell Parker stated that the city should contact Habitat For Humanity on help with the dilapidated houses because they recycle items from these structures to be used on other building projects. Kathy Houchins asked ifthere was a time frame for TXDOT to get plans to the city. Darren stated not at this time. Darren thanked the community for coming to the meeting and reiterated the need for them to be involved in the regular council meetings. D. D. Young asked when the council meetings were. Darren stated that are held every second Monday each month unless a holiday or preapproved reschedule is made. D. D. Young stated that he was not happy that Oncor placed the new power transmission poles in the ditch. He was concerned that rain water would not flow correctly. Donna Thomason commended Darren on his wonderful job and great presentation. Darren Braddy stated that he felt that God had put him in this position for a reason and he was trying to do his best for the employees and the community. Town Hall Meeting Ended At 6:30 PM APPROVED: ATTEST: 2 R Ownl Biddk DARREN BRADDY, MAYOR EMILY HOWSE CITY OF COOPER CITY SECRETARY