Shepherd takes steps to slow speeders

SHEPHERD — After weeks of research, the Shepherd City Council has passed an ordinance to allow the placement of speed bumps on city roads.

City Secretary Debra Hagler said that at the Oct. 13 meeting, council members adopted an ordinance that has been designed to meet minimum of Texas laws.

Parto of those requirements include that speed bumps have to be installed on residential streets, not any highway, and has to have a posted speed limit of 30 mph.

Additionally, bumps have to be in a place that is considered necessary, one where excessive speed is a problem, and no closer than 200 feet apart. The bumps also cannot be in a driveway or an intersection, and warning signs must be in place.

Residents wanting a speed bump on their street will have to petition the city, and then the Public Works Department will go out to see if the area qualifies, Hagler said.

The bumps will be 3 to 4 inches high and 12 to 14 inches wide, and are intended to reduce speed by 15-20 mph.

Hagler said the ordinance was the end result after a resident requested a speed bump on Beverly Drive.

In other business, council members:

• approved the purchase of park equipment that will accommodate children of all ages, as well as special needs children, in a safe manner, for Community Center Park;
• took no action regarding a request from Abdallah Ibrahim to haul in dirt for his property, but told him to get with the Permitting Department to ensure his work has no effect on neighboring property;
• approved a contract for a Shepherd Economic Development Council grant writer; and
• approved changes to the city Personnel Policy to include longevity pay, changes to the vacation accrual rate, and to increase certification pay.