Chronicle Reports: City Fails To Act On The Repeal Of Ordinance 46-4 In Time For The Election (click title link for more)-

City delays action on sidewalks due to election

By SESHADRI KUMAR
Chronicle Correspondent

City Manager Frank Simpson told Missouri City City Council Monday night that he has allocated $150,000 in the preliminary 2007-08 municipal budget for sidewalk repairs in anticipation of the city taking over the responsibility of walkway maintenance.

City Council had an agenda item to receive the status report and authorize staff to amend ordinances relating to sidewalks as recommended by the sidewalk subcommittee.

But, the council could not act on the item as outgoing Councilman Bob Burton, in whose district the sidewalk repairs and the infrastructure ordinance have become an election issue, wanted to table the item.

"Both the candidates have some ideas on the issue. As my term ends, my participation won't continue. Let my successor have an opportunity to fully participate in the debate," Burton said.

Burton urged council not to discuss the matter any further, and said, "It is appropriate for people in District C to have their elected representative participate. If discussed now, it won't allow full participation."

Mayor Allen Owen said the agenda was only to authorize staff to prepare an ordinance and ample time would exist for debate in the future.

But, Assistant City Attorney Caroline Kelley told council the ordinance is not yet ready.

While agreeing to table authorization of the ordinance, Owen said council could discuss the status report and Kelley agreed. Burton was not pleased with the discussion.

Councilman Jerry Wyatt asked one of the candidates, Barbara Gibson, if she had any objection to council discussing the sidewalk issue. Gibson said she had no objection.

The other candidate, Kevin Tunstall, was not present. Tunstall had initially raised the issue and urged the city to delete the ordinance that placed liability for sidewalk repairs on residents. . . (click title link above for more).


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Comment: Perceptions can be deceiving. Why would the city suddenly attempt to rush this issue to a vote before the Saturday election? This reminds me of the patterns involving the Hospital information, apartments, disparity in development along Texas Pkwy, etc...I want to wish the reform challengers the best this Saturday. You are truly good people/neighbors!

District C Race Heats Up (Click on title link to get the full story from the Chronicle)

Sidewalk repair stirs up District C race in Missouri City

By SESHADRI KUMAR
Chronicle Correspondent

The maintenance of sidewalks in Missouri City has become an election issue, at least in the District C open council seat, where Kevin Tunstall and Barbara Gibson are locked in a fight to succeed Councilman Bob Burton.

Sidewalk repair grabbed headlines in February.

About 60 people filled the City Council chamber on Feb. 7 to oppose a 1974 city law that requires homeowners to pay for the repairs of sidewalks in front of their properties. Residents say the city should pay. The subcommittee of City Councilmen Don Smith, Jerry Wyatt and Brett Kolaja said it would seek opinions of residents throughout the city.

At a mid-March subcommittee meeting, Wyatt, committee chair, said city staff recommendations were accepted to have the city repair sidewalks and to earmark funds in next year's budget, beginning July 1.

Now, Tunstall and Mayor Allen Owen, who is not up for election this year, each accuse the other of "misleading" people.

Owen said the city has announced its intent to take over the responsibility of maintaining the sidewalks, and residents will not be liable for any damage.

Tunstall, 42, a health-care administrator, said council has not taken formal action on the issue, and until the onerous ordinance placing liability on residents to maintain public infrastructure is removed, the issue will remain. . . (Click title link).

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Comment: On the last campaign finance reports for the Owen backed challenger (Gibson) numerous developer executives/managers were found. These same special interest developers have been found on Owens finance reports too. It has been reported that the mayor is running the Gibson campaign effort.