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Bandera EDC members deliberate during a special meeting on May 22, 2023.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
June 2, 2023
Bandera EDC asked to help repair dangerous parking lot; moves forward with four applicants to fill vacant board seats
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Addressing the “obstacle course” in the strip mall parking lot on the 700-600 block of Hwy. 16S, Don Clark asked the Bandera Economic Development Corporation to intervene. Thus far, neither the city nor the state have taken responsibility for the repairs needed to fill the potholes, some of which are 10 inches deep.
“Each business has its own parking area,” Clark said during the board’s special May 22 meeting. “Anything from there out is an implied easement. I’m here asking you to consider putting some money toward patching those holes.”
In addition to the driving hazard, Clark said the first thing tourists see when they enter the city is “that bunch of junk over there.”
“Give some of those folks some help,” Clark said.
In other business, BEDC members voted unanimously to move forward with four applicants to fill two vacant seats on the board. The applicants - Tom McEachin, who has previously served on the BEDC board and city council; Deanna McCabe, who also served on the BEDC board and was administrative assistant; Tracy Pritchard; and Doc Williams - will be considered for appointment during the next regular city council board meeting on June 13.
~ BEDC member Laura Devenport said she would like the board to consider relocating a proposed wayfinding sign to Maple and 10th Streets, instead of at the skatepark.
She said the city attorney has some concerns about the signs being placed on city property - at Heritage Park on Main Street and the skatepark.
City Attorney Dan Santee said because the signs may be changed, the city should have a policy in place.
“When you put a cabinet with a changeable message on public property, it creates a limited forum…there are first amendment implications,” Santee told council. “You need a policy that states what is allowed and why.”
Santee is expected to have a proposed policy prepared for review by council’s June 13 regular meeting.
In the meantime, the board may move forward with the installation of a sign in the BEDC parking lot. Board Member Alan Arterbury said he procured three bids, two of which he believed were overpriced. The only written bid he said he received was $2,750 for four posts and two side post holes, painting and installation.
“The other two bids were verbal, nothing in writing,” Arterbury said. “Just good old boys.”
Board President Andrea Jankoski said she would like three written bids on record before voting.
“A handshake is fine, but we have a responsibility for accountability,” Jankoski said.
“Each business has its own parking area,” Clark said during the board’s special May 22 meeting. “Anything from there out is an implied easement. I’m here asking you to consider putting some money toward patching those holes.”
In addition to the driving hazard, Clark said the first thing tourists see when they enter the city is “that bunch of junk over there.”
“Give some of those folks some help,” Clark said.
In other business, BEDC members voted unanimously to move forward with four applicants to fill two vacant seats on the board. The applicants - Tom McEachin, who has previously served on the BEDC board and city council; Deanna McCabe, who also served on the BEDC board and was administrative assistant; Tracy Pritchard; and Doc Williams - will be considered for appointment during the next regular city council board meeting on June 13.
~ BEDC member Laura Devenport said she would like the board to consider relocating a proposed wayfinding sign to Maple and 10th Streets, instead of at the skatepark.
She said the city attorney has some concerns about the signs being placed on city property - at Heritage Park on Main Street and the skatepark.
City Attorney Dan Santee said because the signs may be changed, the city should have a policy in place.
“When you put a cabinet with a changeable message on public property, it creates a limited forum…there are first amendment implications,” Santee told council. “You need a policy that states what is allowed and why.”
Santee is expected to have a proposed policy prepared for review by council’s June 13 regular meeting.
In the meantime, the board may move forward with the installation of a sign in the BEDC parking lot. Board Member Alan Arterbury said he procured three bids, two of which he believed were overpriced. The only written bid he said he received was $2,750 for four posts and two side post holes, painting and installation.
“The other two bids were verbal, nothing in writing,” Arterbury said. “Just good old boys.”
Board President Andrea Jankoski said she would like three written bids on record before voting.
“A handshake is fine, but we have a responsibility for accountability,” Jankoski said.