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BASTROP — City Council this month appointed attorney Carly Power as associate municipal judge, marking the first time the city has added a second judge to its Municipal Court of Record.
Power will serve her first judicial appointment as backup to Municipal Judge Caroline McClimon. Her two-year term took effect Feb. 10.
Municipal judges oversee cases involving city ordinances, including code enforcement and truancy matters.
Power was sworn in by 423rd District Judge Chris Duggan.
PARKING PROBLEMS
Council members heard a proposal to buy downtown property as part of a broader effort to address parking shortages in the city.
The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation approved a funding agreement with the city at its Feb. 9 meeting to purchase 0.16 acre at 804 Water St. for $525,000.
“In the downtown area we are struggling with parking … significantly on not just event days, but for almost every day,” City Manager Sylvia Carrillo said. “As we begin to investigate a parking structure, if there’s some potential to acquire this and other lots this would be a fine place for that.”
Carrillo said even if other lots don’t materialize and a parking garage isn’t feasible the lot could still be used for parking or retail.
Duggan acknowledged the court may exacerbate the parking problem.
“I think I owe the citizens an apology because every time we do a jury trial, that’s usually about 150 citizens parking right around the courthouse at 804 Pecan (St.),” he said.
Duggan added trials are held on Mondays, usually at the same time as Commissioners Court meetings, which also contribute to downtown congestion.
GOLF COURSE STUDY
Feasibility studies for a potential golf course and hotel are expected to be completed this month, according to Carrillo. Another regional hospital study will be done in March.
In December, council approved funding for studies evaluating a hospital and hotel or convention center near Texas 71 and FM 20, as well as an 18-hole par-three golf course at 1500 Farm St. Carrillo previously said developers have shown strong interest in Bastrop- area projects.
“Our 35-mile radius from Bastrop Center has a potential population service of 1.6 million people,” she said.
MORE TRANSPARENCY
The city is preparing to launch a new online budget portal that will allow the public to view detailed expenditures, including check register items and expense reports.
Carrillo said the system is in final testing.
A management dashboard is nearing completion and is intended to help staff and council track project progress and associated budgets.
A public hearing this week will also review potential changes coming to Bastrop’s building code.
Earlier this month, the city mailed notices to property owners and businesses with state-required language that officials said could be alarming, stating “you may lose the right to continue using your property for its current use.”
The change from Bastrop’s current B3 code has been in the works for over a year. The new code is designed to be easier to use and geared toward individual areas of town rather than a one-size-fits-all system, according to the city.
The Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at City Hall. The council is expected to hear the item at their March 24 meeting and vote on it April 14.
