MA0405-CS041117November 17, 2004
T H E: - C I T Y · O F
COPFELL
Mr. James Ireson
313 Barclay Avenue
Coppell, Texas 75019
Dear Mr. Ireson:
Thank you for your letter of concerns, which we received on November 16, 2004. First let us
address the paver situation. With regard to the condition of the pavers, we could not agree more
that maintenance is increasing on these intersections within our community. The short answer to
your question is yes, when we get the go ahead to replace intersections we will be recommending
stamped concrete and the removal of all pavers. The next opportunity for staffto recommend
that to Council will come in February when we will propose to the City Council that they replace
the pavers with stamped concrete at a cost of approximately $250,000 per intersection. Also, we
agree that the replacement pavers that we are presently utilizing are not the same color and do
not contribute to the overall aesthetic appearance of the intersection. The reason they are not the
same color is that that particular color is no longer available. Therefore, even after we complete
a permanent paver replacement, the intersection still looks substantially different than it did
when originally constructed.
With regard to red light speeding, the City along with many other municipalities has been
lobbying the State Legislature for the authority to implement red light cameras at dangerous
intersections throughout the Metroplex. The Legislature in the last session failed to act on that
measure. Some cities have moved forward with a civil penalty program and contracted with a
third party to administer their red light cameras. This is being contested by plaintiffs as an illegal
practice on the part of those cities. To our knowledge Garland, Richardson and Plano have
entered into these third party contracts.
It is not a matter of whether or not the Mayor, Council and staff want to implement the program.
It is a matter of investing money in a program that could be declared illegal and thereby risking
that investment. We hope that the State Legislature during their upcoming session will follow
through with enacting a proper statutory authority for cities to implement a red light camera
program that falls within the police powers of our community.
With regard to strict traffic enforcement, I find your concern somewhat surprising because the
majority of complaints that we receive are that we are too strict. We do not believe that is the
case. We also believe that our citizens are demanding traffic enforcement scenarios such as
speeding, illegal tums, etc.
Mr. James Ireson
November 17, 2004
Page Two
Regarding your final concern at 309 Barclay, I have asked the Code Enforcement Department to
provide me an update regarding this situation. We do not have anything on the books for repeat
offenders, and any citations issued for violations under the City Code for high grass, etc., are
handled through the court system and are not an issue brought before City Council. I will
consult our City Attorney regarding the repeat offender situation and see if our Code could
address this within the statutory limitations that we operate.
If you have any other questions regarding the City's position on the areas of your concern, please
do not hesitate to contact me.
R~pec~t fully,
J~n Witt
/City Manager
JW:kb
cc: Mayor and Council
Bob Hager
Clay Phillips
Roy Osborne
Ken Griffin
Tim Oates