By Misty Shultz/Staff Writer
Keene City Council members approved a request Thursday from Southwestern Adventist University to close Mockingbird Lane from Hillcrest Street to Magnolia Street. City Administrator James Minor said the council will agree to close half the street, pending receipt of a letter from the university.
“This was approved as long as a turn-around is installed in the parking lot of Barron Chapel so residents have continued access to city hall,” Minor said.
The council also approved a proposal to remove the dust collection system from the CANA building, which is being used for storage by Brandom Manufacturing. Since the CANA building is owned by the city, the dust collection system is considered city property.
Council members accepted a bid by Mark T. Owens to supply the Keene wastewater plant with a dewatering box for its sludge dewatering system. Minor said the city only received one bid for the dewatering box.
Council members decided to increase daily police impound fees from $15 to $20. The increase is being implemented to offset the state’s $5 per day increase on impound storage, Minor said.
The council approved a resolution to accept a population estimate of 6,050 for the city of Keene, which was provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The estimate will reflect more than a 1,000 person increase for Keene’s population.
“Basically, this resolution gives the Texas Department of Transportation the authority to change the population on our signs,” Minor said.
“We just want people to remember to keep a watchful eye for bad weather,” Minor said, “to listen for sirens and seek shelter when necessary.”
Misty Shultz can be reached at 817-645-2441,
ext. 2336, or reporter2@trcle.com.
