At last week’s City Council meeting, Whitesboro’s Animal Control was pleased to report that its initial TNR (trap-neuter-release) program in partnership with Sandy’s Feral Fun was a success. As a result, the City will host a second TNR program after the holidays.
Last month, the City was able to spay/neuter 15 cats, thus helping to control the population of feral cats in Whitesboro.
For the second program, the City will offer 20 vouchers for $55 per cat. Services will include a Parvo shot (paid for by the City for every cat). Vouchers are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested parties must drop off their cat on Jan. 3 between noon and 4 p.m. at 280 Shawnee Trail. Cats must be brought in a provided trap only — no carriers will be accepted
For more information or to secure a voucher, please contact City Hall.
Also at the meeting, the Council approved several items for the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) including the purchase of a new piece of playground equipment for Godwin Park and the adjustment to some registration fees.
After some of the deteriorating equipment at Godwin Park had to be removed, the City will purchase a new multi-spring see-saw. Purchased from Red River Recreation, the item will enable multiple children to play on the equipment at one time and will replace a previous spring see-saw that had worn out and been removed.
While the item is expected to cost around $7,500, City Administrator Phil Harris sought approval for $12,000 so that the City could also add some “simple playground equipment” (like a slide or a swing) to the field at Charity and Depot Streets. His reason for this was two-fold.
Not only would Harris love to see the community use more of the park space available around town, but by designating that area as an actual playground, the City can offer more protection to citizens with ordinances regarding what kinds of businesses can be located around town.
For instance, a sexually oriented business like an adult arcade, burlesque or adult motel is not able to exist within a certain radius of a public park. While the location of churches and schools help to impact that ordinance in other areas of town, the area around Charity and Depot Streets doesn’t have much to protect it at this time.
“By designating that field as a playground, we can offer another level of safety for our citizens,” Harris said.
The original ordinance regarding sexually oriented businesses was first created around 2004. Harris would like the council to revisit the ordinance so that it can take protective measures now to ensure the city is as restrictive as it can be regarding where certain types of businesses can be located. Next, he will ask the Council to review ordinances for tattoo/piercing parlors and vape shops. The item was tabled for a future discussion.
The Council also approved an increase in PARD registration fees for tee-ball (up to $100 from $80) but will keep 8U-12U and 14U fees the same. Scholarships for tee-ball through 12U will now be a flat rate at $40 (previously 40%) and 14U will now be a flat rate of $50 (previously 40%).
Swimming pool fees will also see an adjustment in the coming summer. Open swim fee will now be $3 per person (previously $2). An individual season pass will now be $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents (a $25 increase). A family season pass will now be $150 for residents and $200 for non-residents (a $50 increase). Pool rental will increase to $200 for residents and $250 for non-residents (a $50 increase). Group swim lessons will now be $50 for eight lessons (up from $40).
Lastly, Community Center building rental fees for events held during working hours (weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) will now be $50/hour for total area (up from $25); $40/hour for large activity room (up from $20); $15/hour for single meeting room (up from $10) and $20/hour for the double meeting room (up from $15).
Building rental fees for events outside of working hours will be $60/hour for total area; $50/hour for large activity room; $25/hour for single meeting room; $40/hour for double meeting room; and kitchen fees will increase to $50 flat rate (from $30).
“We’re still well under the amount most event venues charge to rent their spaces,” PARD Director Penny Renfroe said regarding the rate increases.
The Council also approved an ordinance to prohibit street parking on the east side of North Jordan at all times. The street, they said, is too narrow and problematic for emergency vehicles and pedestrians when cars are parked along the curb.
Lastly, the City has still not heard any word from Attorney General Ken Paxton regarding the ongoing question of whether the City of Whitesboro (and 999 other cities in Texas) are in non-compliance regarding SB1851 and their property tax increase.
“I’ve reached out to Tom Bean, and they haven’t heard anything, either,” Harris said. “We’re just looking for clarity to see whether we’re in or out of trouble.”
Updates will be shared with the community as soon as they are available.
Source: Freepik.com