Council tables red light ordinance

Nov. 27--During Tuesday's meeting, the Odessa City Council decided to table the second reading of an ordinance that would have given council members the go-ahead for installing red light cameras within the city limits.

Councilwoman Barbara Graff, District 3, said she thought the council would also be voting on a contract with American Traffic Solutions, and wanted to postpone amending Chapter 12 of the city ordinance until then.

"I'm not going to vote on something when I don't have all the information," said Graff, who also voted in favor of the amendment during the council's Nov. 12 meeting.

Councilman Dean Combs, who expressed frustration with not voting on the ordinance, asked Graff why she voted on the ordinance the first time if she wanted more information. Odessa City Attorney Larry Long said if the council tabled the ordinance, they could still vote on the second reading at a later time.

"All we're doing is voting on an ordinance, we're not voting on a contract," Combs said.

No time table was set for the second reading and it was unknown when the contract with ATS would be put before the council.

Two residents, Chet Bales and Roger Smith, spoke out against red light cameras, with both saying red light cameras would cause an increase in rear-end collisions.

"My suggestion to you is that if you said it saves one life it's worth it, there are other things that save lives," Bales said. "No liquor stores or bars, that's a fact; no guns, that's a fact ... and you said it's not about the money. If it's not about the money, let's give the money to the boys club on the south side."

Another contested topic between council members was how to split more than $53 million in issuances of debt between future street projects and park projects.

In a 3-2 vote, council members voted to give 75 percent of the funds to street projects and 25 percent to park projects.

That would mean streets would get $40,357,030 and the parks department would get $13,452,344. The money was raised after selling bonds through J.P. Morgan, Bank Of America Merrill Lynch, Stephens Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities.

Those funds would then go into separate accounts and then spent on projects after they've been approved by the city council. The issuance of debt was originally approved by council members during their Aug. 27 meeting.

Odessa Parks and Recreation Director Steve Patton said he was elated that the parks department would be getting more than $13 million in funds, but said there was still a lot of work to do before any projects can begin.

Currently, Patton said, the master plan for the parks department needed to be approved by the state and the council before they can look at working on new projects. He said he hopes to being work in February.

"We are getting lined up ... developing these projects," Patton said.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ALSO:

--Approved the meetings from the Nov. 12 meeting.

--Approved a request from Complex Community Federal Credit Union.

--Approved a request from SJL Partners.

--Approved the second and final approval of establishing a school zone and parking zones.

--Approved authorizing the conveyance of the city's interest in tax delinquent property in the 1300 block of East Second Street.

--Approved having only one Odessa City Council meeting in December.

--Tabled the second and final reading of an amendment to Chapter 6 of the city ordinance regarding mobile food establishments.

--Approved a five-year contract for transit management services.

--Approved renewing stop loss insurance.

--Approved renewing the Excess Workers' Compensation insurance with Safety National Casualty Corporation.

--Approved renewing the Public Entity Liability Insurance with States Risk Retention Group.

--Approved renewing the contract for property insurance with TML intergovernmental Risk Pool.

--Approved renewing long term disability insurance.

--Approved renewing for Group Life Insurance, AD&D coverage and Retiree Life Insurance.

--Approved the signatures in connection with Municipal Court City Funds.

--Approved the financial summary report for September 2013.

--Contact Nathaniel Miller on twitter at @OAgovernment, on Facebook at OA Nathaniel Miller or call 432-333-7769

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