Cook Field Rd. added to speed limit posts

By Donnie A. Lucas

Shackelford County Commissioners added another county road to the list of roadways that will soon have speed limits posted, along with taking another step in the process of repaving the parking lot at the Courthouse, during a meeting held Tuesday.

A public hearing was held just before the regular meeting to hear comments on adding CR 157 to the list of roadways that will have posted speed limits that was approved at the May 11 meeting.

Lance Thomas with Stasney’s Cook Ranch  spoke at the public hearing prior to the May 11 meeting requesting that CR 157 be added to the list of county roads where a maximum speed limit was set.

The court voted at that time to add the additional road, but had to post another public hearing and approve the manner separately.

On a motion by commissioner Lanham Martin, the roadway was added to the list, with a limit of 35 mph set. The motion carried.

The new speed limit will begin at the end of FM 1084 (Cook Field Road), where CR 157 begins, and continue to Private Road 1580.

It was noted that bids are being sought for the new signs that will measure 18 by 26 inches. The new speed limits will become effective when the signs are installed.

Several other county roads were approved during the May 11 meeting, with a 40 mph limit set for most roads. An exception was made for Griffin Road, where the 20 mph limit established in the school zone will be extended to Browning Lane, then 30 mph there after.

A residential area in Precinct 3 also will receive a lower limit for certain portions of that county road.

Parking Lot Project

County officials reviewed maps of the Courthouse parking lot, including elevations that were prepared by local resident Keith Holcomb.

Holcomb suggested that the county have core samples conducted to determine the amount of payment material that exists, as well as the type of base material present.

County judge Robert Skelton said that he had acquired bids for the samples from two Abilene companies. Jacob and Martin submitted a price of $2,000 for the sample, while Enprotec/Hibbs and Todd turned in a price of $500.

Steve Riley made the motion to hire Enprotec to conduct the core samples.

Commissioner Martin noted that the current budget includes repaving the parking lot.

The installation of a handicapped ramp for the JP office located in the former jail building is also being considered in connection with the resurfacing, but is not included in the current budget.

An option of installing a power lift instead of a ramp was mentioned at Tuesday’s meeting.

 The court also agreed that all utility lines running under the parking lot need to be located and the depth verified before further plans are completed.

Other Business

•A motion was approved to contract with the company providing the dishwashing machine at the LEC at a cost of $180 per month including all service and some supplies. The current price has been $85 per month, but the company is changing ownership.

•Sheriff Ed Miller reported that the jail passed a surprise inspection last week. Judge Skelton said that the inspector noted that the jailer on duty should not be pulling double duty of cooking meals.

The LEC currently has an open position for a jailor, which is causing the situation. The sheriff said that he does not currently have any trustees who can help with meal preparation.

•The sheriff also told the court that the vehicle camera systems and the body camera equipment worn by officers has been integrated with the LEC’s computer system so that a live video feed can be observed in the LEC.

Miller said that camera footage would now automatically be preserved by the jail’s computer system once a camera is activated.

•The commissioners took no action on the burn ban, leaving the county under a no-burn restriction.

•The sheriff said that the two new pickup trucks have been activated in the fleet following installation of equipment.

•Commissioners were reminded that the deadline for a County Transportation Infrastructure Grant application was May 26. Commissioners were asked to turn in their annual road reports on Tuesday so that the master list of proposed projects could be prioritized before the application is submitted.