Troup City Council tables study request
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Without the mayor or mayor pro-tem, the Troup City Council meeting on Tuesday went on with a quorum present.

The first item for consideration was tabled. John Coblentz of Villa Drive came to the council asking for a speed study to be conducted and recommendation to the state that a 45 mph speed limit be established from approximately the 1000 block of W. Duval to the city limits for both directions of travel. City administrator Russ Obar said that TxDOT had already done a speed survey on several areas along State Highway 110 and that he would request copies of those studies for the council to review. The council asked that the item be tabled for reconsideration once they have a report to review.

Another question stemmed from Coblentz over the location of the placement of the new "no engine brake" sign which he says is too far within the city limits. Recently the city council approved an ordinance banning the use of engine brakes within the city limits. All of the proper procedures were followed and the appropriate sign was made and installed by TxDOT. According to Coblentz, when he inquired with TxDOT, he was told that they had placed the sign where the city instructed them to place the sign.

Obar said that was not the case. "The TxDOT crew placed the sign where they wanted to place it," Obar said. He also said he would try to convince TxDOT to relocate the sign closer to the actual city limits sign so that truckers would see it before they entered into the city limits.

Council approved the FY-04 municipal audit presented by Acker and Co. Accounting Firm. The other outstanding audits should be completed soon and brought to council for their ap- proval.

Approval was granted for the re-plat of Block 10 Lots 10, 11 and 12 into Lot 10A and 12A, as well as allowing a side yard encroachment/ variance for the property on the NE corner of the intersection of South Alabama and East Paschal.

During the council/mayor comments item, council member Barbara Barton mentioned two alleys that were particularly overgrown with bushes and trees. There was question about whether the city or the property owners were responsible for that upkeep. It was determined that the upkeep is really that of the property owner and that the city administrator or code enforcement officer should ask that the area be brought up to compliance.

Obar shared some requests with the council from the library. They would like to have a loading zone designated on the side of the building for loading and unloading of Meals on Wheels coolers. The library is also looking at doing an endowment fund to continue its funding. Obar said the city attorney is helping with that matter.

Also in his report, Obar stated that the school district would be installing concrete along the fourth and fifth grade loading area to help with the stability of that area as well as the traffic load from delivery trucks going around to the back of the cafeteria.

Obar said that the city was waiting on the certified appraisals from the county before getting too far in the budget process.

Finally, future meeting dates were discussed. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14 and there could possibly be public hearing meetings Aug. 28 and Sept. 4 with the following regular meeting being held Sept. 11. These dates would depend on that certified appraisal report from the county and what budget workshops might need to be held.