Ovilla city council considers building new city facilities

OVILLA – The Ovilla city council is looking at municipal facility improvements.

While the idea is in the beginning stages of development at last night’s council meeting a map was presented by staff to identify potential locations.

Locations must be decided on before cost estimates can be determined for the construction project. Possible locations discussed included near the corner of Cockrell Hill and Westlawn, or Main Street on a recent piece of property purchased by the city.

“It is imperative that we have firm locations identified for accurate information to be prepared,” staff informed council.

Staff is eager to have the plans for the new municipal facility finalized and back to the city council at the August meeting.

A bond election could take place as early as November 2019 if council approves.

The election must be called by Aug. 19 in order for a November bond election to take place.

“The city appointed a municipal facilities improvement committee, which made recommendations to the city council to consider,” said Ovilla Mayor Richard Dormier.

“We are looking at various options to prepare information for a possible bond election in November to consider a new police station, city hall, and park pavilion.”

After an earlier meeting several months ago regarding the city’s waste collection service, CWD, residents expressed concerns about the company’s service.

Representatives from the company, Greg and Jason Roemer, were back at the council meeting last night to discuss ongoing concerns.

Council decided to take a look at the service again in September to determine if there were improvements to current concerns residents have been having with the company.

There were a number of residents who spoke during a public hearing about CWD.

Residents have brought to the attention of staff trash cans end up in the road after waste collection service as well as late trash pick-up on collection days and some streets being missed.

The discussion was positive and all involved appeared to want to figure out a way to work together.

Staff wanted to assure residents understand what they must do in order for CWD to do its job properly.

In some cases brush is left for pick-up at the curb and not all trash collection days are days earmarked for brush pick-up - depending on brush pile size.

Staff will be posting information to educate the citizens on the city website and also sending out mailers to confirm all the collection information is understood by residents.

“The city will be sending a letter to all customers reminding them of the rules for disposal of municipal waste and asking everyone to do their best to comply,” Dormier said.

“CWD and the city will be working together to reduce complaints going forward and we will revisit the issue at our September meeting.”

The city will also hold its electronic recycle day event on Sept. 14 in conjunction with CWD.