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Residents raise concerns about downtown turf boundaries, bulky waste pickup and unused police cars
Summary
During public comments at the Feb. 3 Freeport City Council meeting, residents questioned the mapped boundaries for a downtown turf project, said bulky waste collection contractors left debris, and asked why several recently purchased police vehicles were sitting unused.
Several residents used the Feb. 3 public-comment period to raise operational concerns with city-sponsored programs and equipment.
Sam Reina of 2002 North Avenue G asked for clarification about the boundaries of a planned downtown turf (DT) area. Reina said the map shown at a prior meeting differed from the version in the packet and asked, “Which one is right?” He said one map he recalled limited the project to the Terrace area from a specified street down toward Velasco and back to a bridge, while the version in the packet appeared to extend to the Bridal Riverbanks and covered “3 hun 530 acres.” Reina also said bulky waste crews had removed furniture and appliances on a prior pickup but left tree limbs and other bulky trash, and he said the contractor appeared to be breaching its contract by not collecting all material.
Nicole Midelez of the same address told the council she had received a citizen complaint about several new police vehicles that are parked and not in use. “Is there a reason? Are they not working? Are they brand new or not?” Midelez asked, adding concern about taxpayers paying insurance and liability on unused vehicles.
Council members suggested those concerns could be addressed through follow-up with staff and by filing an open-records or open-meeting request for detailed information. The mayor noted the city would take the concerns under advisement and citizens were told they could file formal requests for further documentation.
