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Elmendorf imposes parking bans, limits road use

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Wilson County News
May 20, 2008 | 1 comment

ELMENDORF -- The safety of residents and traffic issues were at the top of the city council’s list as it approved several ordinances during the council meeting May 13; the regularly scheduled meeting May 8 was postponed.

Mayor Thomas P. Hicks outlined the ordinances for city councilmen R.M. “Andy” Anderson, J.A. “Jesse” Palomo, Richard Rodriguez, and Linda Ortiz. Councilman Tom Green Jr. was absent.

Many streets in this city have been improved in recent months, and Elmendorf city council members addressed new issues arising from the installation of drainage ditches and other improvements. Some of the roadwork has resulted in less right of way adjacent to residents’ homes, raising parking and access issues in some areas.

To ensure the smooth flow of traffic and provide decent access for emergency vehicles, school buses, and refuse collection, the council approved a commercial-vehicle parking ordinance and designated truck routes through the city. The latter will also prevent excessive wear and tear on roads not built to withstand heavier traffic.

Commercial vehicles will be permitted to travel designated routes within the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Those with a local destination or point of origin are exempted from remaining solely on designated roads, as will garbage trucks and emergency vehicles. Resident owner/operators of commercial vehicles can continue to use all local roadways. All others will be subject to fines of up to $200 if found in violation of the ordinance.

“This will prevent large trucks from tearing up the roads,” Hicks told the council.

Parking of commercial vehicles also came under council scrutiny. After much discussion, the council approved a ban on commercial vehicles parking within the city limits of Elmendorf. Some exemptions under the new ordinance include street construction, maintenance, garbage crews, repair equipment, utility company vehicles engaged in repair or maintenance, buses at bus stops on normal routes, and vehicles accepting or making deliveries, among others. Violators can be fined up to $200.

Residents with commercial vehicles now must park them on their own property and not along public rights of way. Affected residents without sufficient parking space should call the city office to discuss alternatives.

An ordinance limiting any vehicles parked on city roads to no more than four hours was tabled for future discussion.

Two ordinances setting the hours of operation for the city cemetery and the Elmendorf City Park also received council approval. The new hours for the park have been set from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

“This will keep folks from being there when they shouldn’t,” Hicks said.

“We’ve had problems with several groups -- mostly young adults, not schoolkids -- going over there after 1:30 a.m. and hanging around until three in the morning,” confirmed police Chief A.D. Carroll.

“And we don’t want the same individuals to use the cemetery in the same way as the park,” Hicks said, introducing the ordinance limiting hours for the city cemetery. “The police can use their discretion for someone grieving or keeping vigil, but we want to prevent issues such as those in the park.”

The new hours for the city cemetery are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Signs will be posted on the cemetery gate and at the park to inform visitors of the operating hours. Fines not exceeding $200 can be imposed for violation of the ordinances.

Carroll outlined an interlocal agreement between Central Magistration for the city of San Antonio and Elmendorf for the magistration of prisoners. Under the agreement, Elmendorf will be charged $56 per individual for the detention center in San Antonio to handle booking, magistration, and transfer of prisoners to the Bexar County Jail for prisoners detained by the city of Elmendorf.

Without the agreement, two Elmendorf police officers would be needed for prisoner transfers: one to remain with the prisoner, and one to wait for the magistration process to run its course, which can often take several hours. With the agreement in place, the process would only require one officer to transport a prisoner, register the individual with the detention officer, and return to patrol. Central Magistration will handle the rest of the process for Elmendorf. The agreement was unanimously approved.

In other business, the council also approved an off-premises sign ordinance prohibiting the installation of changeable electronic variable message signs (electronic billboards) and other billboards, as well as other signs that pose a distraction to road users and pedestrians. Signs advertising businesses or services not located where the sign is installed will not be permitted.

“This will prevent unnecessary visual clutter,” Hicks told the council.
 


Your Opinions and Comments
 
Wanda Westfall  
Odessa, Texas  
October 20, 2008 8:09pm
 
 
We were in the Elmendorf City cemetery on Oct. 12. This time we could at least get to the graves mostly. There are still some enclosures that are overgrown. Maybe the City ... Read More Read More
 

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