Park site planning questioned at meet
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

City Manager Ronny Fite (left) and councilmen Danny Hogden and Gene Champion field questions at Thursday's town hall meeting.

A proposed park site plan drew most of the attention at Thursday's town hall meeting, with citizens voicing a variety of concerns including safety, crime and traffic. Approximately 45 people attended the two-hour meeting, which also focused on ongoing efforts to secure future water needs.

The proposed park site is flanked on the west and east by Gatewood and Karla drives and bordered to the north and south by Hillcreek Road and FM 346. The preliminary conceptual plan calls for construction of a new road connecting 346 and Hillcreek Road, as well as access from Hillcreek to Lake Tyler. A pedestrian trail would also cross Karla Drive and provide access to the ball fields.

In addressing the council, Johnny Smith said, "I like the idea, but I don't like the plan," a theme expressed in similar fashion throughout the evening.

"I would not be unhappy, generally, if there were limited ac- cess to Karla," said Linda Riley, who joined other residents of the street in expressing concern about increased traffic.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 248 participate in the town hall meeting, questioning the city council about the park's planned features.

"What in the world is the point of having access from the park to Karla to the ballpark?" she asked. "Who cares?"

"They'll be parking in front of my house to get to the trail," she added. Although the access to the ballpark, which is not owned by the city, is intended for pedestrian use only, residents were concerned that people will be inclined to park on their street to have easy accessibility to both locations.

"I'm 100 percent with you. I think that's the worst thing we could do," said council member Mike Adams who originally called for the town hall gathering at last month's regular city council meeting. "That's one part of the park I'm not in favor of."

Another access feature of the plan also drew criticism, with Jackie Hilburn expressing concern that a connection from Hillcreek Road to Lake Tyler would encourage troublemakers at the lake to use the park for similar activities.

Approximately 45 people turned out for Thursday's town hall gathering, held in the cafeteria of Cain Elementary.

"We all know what goes on down at the lake. We all know it's going to be coming through," she said. "I want a safe place for our children, grandchildren."

"We're concerned with that, too," responded Mayor Jake Jacobson who turned the question over to Police Chief Rick Waller. In one of the evening's lighter moments, Waller said, "I thought it was common knowledge that nothing comes through Whitehouse without the police department stopping it."

Waller added that Whitehouse has one of the lowest crime rates in the state of Texas, and he would personally guarantee that park hours and access would be strictly enforced.

"I'm going to hold you to that. You may get a lot of calls every night," said Hilburn.

In preliminary discussions of the park, council discussed issues of security including strict hours of operation and a gated entrance or arm to prohibit parking.

In another matter, Wayne Riley asked, "Can we not have a park without another road?" Mayor Jacobson replied that was possible, but the road from 346 to Hillcreek was designed to be another thoroughfare for the city to help alleviate traffic on Hwy. 110.

Both parks and transportation were key items in the city's Vision 2020 Master Plan, and Jacobson has touted the park design as "killing two birds with one stone." However, many of those in attendance questioned the road's value as a thoroughfare if the maximum speed limit could be 15 mph.

Stephanie Rollings of Planning Concepts was on hand to give an overview of the park and its amenities and to answer questions. Both she and council members reminded attendees that the current design was only a proposal, and their input would be taken into consideration.

Bonnie Hamilton raised questions of safety, including fencing between the park and homes, and also addressed the city's "heavy tax burden." She also raised the issue of a petition to put the matter before the public for a vote.

Jed Dillingham, director of finance, has estimated that the average homeowner would see a $75 increase on their property taxes to pay the $4.5 million debt, which includes $1.5 million for a water well. As the city's tax base grows, that amount could decrease over the term of the debt, he said, prompting one citizen in attendance to say that he'd never seen a tax go down once it was there.

The night's other main issue will also affect taxpayers. The city council recently approved funds of $150,000 to secure a 10-year water option with Lake Striker. An interlocal agreement with Troup is in the works, which would lessen Whitehouse's share of that amount. The contract would reserve the rights to 3.9 million gallons of water per day; Troup's share of that is expected to be one million gallons per day at an estimated cost of $37,000 per year.

Initially, taxpayers could see a surcharge of $4 on their water bills to pay the annual fee; a deal with Lake Striker would also necessitate construction of water supply and water treatment systems, estimated to cost $20 million.

One person in attendance asked about the accuracy of the $20 million estimate.

"It's a good first estimate," replied Dan Jackson, a utility rate consultant who has been working with the city in evaluting water options.

Another asked about using existing transmission lines, but City Manager Ronny Fite said that was not feasible because it would require several easements, and it would also be in the city's best interest if the water lines were visible to the public in case of leaks.

Prior to citizen participation on the water issue, Fite outlined the city's frustrating contract negotiations with Tyler which factored into the search for alternative sources.