Highland Village Considers May Election Initiatives – Charter Amendments and Late Hours for Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

At the January 13 meeting, Council approved two resolutions considering items for the May 2009 election. A Charter Review Committee presented recommendations to Council for amendments to the City Charter. The majority of the amendments would remove redundancies and modify language that conflicts or is preempted by state legislation. Also recommended in the charter amendments is the extension of Council members’ terms of office from two years to three. Council will meet with Charter Review committee at the January 27 and February 10 meeting to discuss the proposed amendments and develop the ballot language.

Council also approved, by a vote of 4-3, a resolution placing an initiative on the May 2009 ballot to extend the hours of establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. An ordinance to extend the hours was brought before Council in November 2008 and was denied in favor of considering the item as an initiative to put before the voters. This item will be included on the May 2009 ballot.

Also at this meeting, Council discussed a request by residents of Northwood to consider closing the entrance to

Northwood/Castlewood Boulevard

at the intersection of FM 2499. With the construction of FM 2499 through Highland Village, residents requested the City consider options for prohibiting access from FM 2499. Council asked staff to assemble the information and options and provide Council a summary.

During City Manager reports, Public Works Director Matthew Kite provided an update on the construction of FM 2499. Mr. Kite informed Council that Bell Construction will begin lying concrete on the east side of FM 2499 from the railroad tracks to

Clifton Drive

. This will require the closing of

Clifton Drive

for approximately 30-60 days. Mr. Kite also provided an update on the installation of the Wayside Horns at the railroad crossings in the City. The contractor will begin constructing the horns at the beginning of February. After the KCS railroad inspects the construction, it is anticipated the horns will be operational by the end of February 2009.

Mayor Pro Tem Scott McDearmont invited residents to participate in the city’s Resolution Run 5K run/walk and four-legged-friend walk on Saturday, January 17. The City has teamed up with the Highland Village Parks Foundation, Opus Development and the Medical Center of Lewisville on this run that will benefit the Highland Village trail system. Contact the Parks and Recreation department at 972-317-7430 for more information.