The Seagoville City Council advanced several infrastructure, economic-development and long-term planning initiatives during its June 8 meeting, including an $849,245 engineering agreement for two waterline projects, funding for a downtown mural and new policies addressing tax increment reinvestment zones and public-private partnerships.
Mayor Dennis K. Childress presided over the meeting at Seagoville City Hall. Councilmembers Rick Howard, Jose Hernandez, Allen Grimes and Jon Epps were present alongside Mayor Pro Tem Harold Magill. City Manager Carey Neal, City Attorney Victoria Thomas and City Secretary Sara Egan also attended.
Waterline engineering agreement approved
Council members unanimously approved an agreement with Garver LLC for professional engineering services related to the city’s PL1 and PL9 waterline improvements.
The agreement, valued at no more than $849,245, covers planning and design work for two proposed waterline routes: one extending from the Ard Road pump station to Simonds Road and another running from Environmental Way to North Watson Street.
Public Works Director Chris Ryan told the council that grant funding is currently available for water projects, but Seagoville’s proposed improvements must be prepared for construction to improve their chances of receiving funding. The resolution passed by a 5-0 vote.
Downtown mural and railroad parking improvements
The council also unanimously approved three projects presented through the Seagoville Economic Development Corporation.
A partnership with The Walls Project, a nonprofit organization, will provide for the design and installation of a downtown mural on SEDC-owned property. The agreement authorizes spending of no more than $40,000.
Council members also approved an agreement with C&M Concrete Contracting LLC for concrete paving and driveway approach improvements at the railroad parking lot. That project has a maximum cost of $160,000.
A separate $2,750 agreement with C&M Concrete will provide and install a handrail for an Americans with Disabilities Act ramp on SEDC property near Malloy Bridge Road and Kaufman Street. All three measures passed unanimously following their second readings.
Water drainage concerns raised on Highschool Drive
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, three Seagoville residents addressed the council about flooding concerns in the alley along Highschool Drive. A fourth registered speaker was not present when called.
The minutes do not record any formal council action on the residents’ concerns during the meeting.
Reeves Lane and Lundy Lane resurfacing discussed
Council members reviewed possible resurfacing work for Reeves Lane and Lundy Lane during the work session.
Ryan explained that the streets may require additional curb and gutter work beyond resurfacing. He recommended hiring a service company to inspect and rate streets throughout Seagoville, creating a condition-based ranking from the streets in the poorest condition to those in the best condition.
The council agreed with the recommended inspection and rating approach.
Streetlight and Malloy Bridge Road speed limit reviewed
The council discussed an intermittently operating streetlight near 806 Thedford. After reviewing Oncor’s streetlighting layout, council members directed city staff to submit a report to the utility company regarding the problem.
Mayor Pro Tem Magill also raised the possibility of reducing the speed limit on Malloy Bridge Road between Highway 175 and Ross Lane from 40 mph to 30 mph. Councilmember Hernandez suggested increased enforcement of the existing speed limit as another option.
Thomas advised that a traffic study might be required before the city could make a change. No speed-limit reduction was approved during the meeting.
Vision statement and reinvestment-zone policy adopted
The council unanimously adopted an official vision statement for the City of Seagoville. Neal said the statement would be published through public-facing city communications after receiving council approval.
Council members also approved a formal policy governing how the city will consider, establish and administer tax increment reinvestment zones. The policy establishes an application and evaluation process for potential zones while preserving the council’s authority to make decisions based on the circumstances of each proposal.
Public-private partnership guidelines established
New guidelines for evaluating public-private partnership proposals were also adopted by a unanimous vote.
Economic Development Director Kirk McDaniel described the guidelines as a process the city can use when considering partnerships for new public facilities. The policy was presented as an initial step toward exploring alternative and potentially creative financing options for future facilities.
Executive session ends without action
The council entered a closed executive session at 7:24 p.m. to receive legal advice regarding pending litigation involving the Seagoville Residents Association, the City of Seagoville and Target Builders LLC.
The council returned to open session at 7:38 p.m. and took no action related to the executive-session discussion. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
