Thursday, November 20, 2008

Council discusses TTC path

ROBIN McDONALD
Waller County News-Citizen
Copyright 2008

WALLER COUNTY - Mayor Pro-Tem Maurice Hart discussed the continued possibility of the Trans-Texas Corridor cutting a path through Waller County at the Waller City Council meeting on Monday Night, November 17.

Hart is a member of the Waller County Sub-Regional Planning Commission (WCSRPC), which was organized as a tool to fight the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) proposed Interstate 69.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is working on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will provide information on how the TTC might affect Waller County, among other areas. Hart said while it appeared for a time that TXDOT would stop looking at Waller County as a location for the TTC, that apparently is not the case, because Waller County is still in the EIS.

Hart noted that the commission was sending a letter to Texas Department of Transportation “to put them on notice that they have to coordinate with us.”

Hart also shared that members discussed inviting other municipalities to join the Commission, including Hempstead, Pattison, Brookshire, and the Farm Bureau. Hart also stated that some citizens may be invited to join as non-voting members.

Police Chief James Fulton introduced two members of his force at the -- Officer Anthony Scopel and returning Officer Chris McClure.

“We honor our veterans of foreign wars in November,” he stated. “But we often forget about the battle we fight here at home ... that is, fighting crime.

“It takes a select person to come into a community such as ours and put their lives on the line for us,” Fulton said, with much applause from the audience.

Waller Economic Development Corporation Director John Isom and Mayor Paul Wood also discussed future city plans and meetings they have attended over the past few weeks.

Isom discussed an upcoming feasibility study that will look at using the railways for commuting, and setting up an area in Waller as a regional water detention area. Mayor Wood discussed a tri-county meeting, in which Highway 290 improvements were listed as a high priority item in both Harris and Waller counties.

Waller Council then approved the Police Department’s “In-Car Camera Operation” Policy Number P-1, approved advertising for bids for the 12” water main extension along Stokes Road, approved the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Waller as presented by GrantWorks, Inc., and approved changes in vacation benefits for city employees.

© 2008 Waller County News-Citizen: www.hcnonline.com

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