Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bastrop council approves amended curfew ordinance for minors tied to sunset and sunrise
Summary
The City of Bastrop approved an amended curfew ordinance that sets curfew times by sunset/sunrise and adjusts penalties. The council passed the measure by voice vote after debate and public comment.
The Bastrop City Council on Sept. 11 approved an amendment to the city's curfew ordinance for minors that defines curfew periods relative to sunset and sunrise and modifies penalty language. Councilmembers passed the measure by voice vote during the meeting after discussion and public comment.
The ordinance changes the curfew window to begin one hour after sunset and end one hour before sunrise. Council discussion said the timing change was intended to avoid ambiguity caused by daylight-saving time and to align local enforcement with seasonal daylight changes. The ordinance retains penalty provisions but revises them, according to staff summary materials provided to council.
Council members and members of the public debated whether the item should be tabled until a full council was present. Several public commenters urged delay, arguing the measure could impose a financial burden on parents and single caregivers and that existing laws should first be enforced. Proponents on the council said the ordinance codifies a set time tied to natural light, clarifies enforcement, and is not a new law but a refinement of an existing one already on the books.
A motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded; the council acted by voice vote and the motion passed. The council discussion record shows members emphasized the ordinance had been crafted earlier and reviewed by council and the mayor and that the change was meant to add clarity and enforceability.
The vote was taken by voice; the meeting transcript records a motion, a second and the chair calling for the ayes, followed by a declaration that the motion passed. The transcript does not provide a member-by-member roll-call tally in the public record.
The council did not set an effective date on the record at the time of passage; staff materials referenced the ordinance as 25-42-83 (curfew for minors and penalties) and noted the change would clarify enforcement timing going forward.
Councilmembers signaled the city will continue community outreach and enforcement planning following passage. No further implementation steps were specified on the public record beyond adoption of the ordinance amendment.
