Board approves emergency traffic‑signal repair contract; separate ordinance to ease director agenda placement fails

The Texarkana Board of Directors took two significant ordinance votes Monday: it adopted an emergency ordinance authorizing a contract to repair traffic signals damaged in March, and it rejected an ordinance that would have changed the rules for how a director can place items on a future board agenda.

Traffic signals: The board approved an ordinance waiving competitive bidding to allow the city manager to contract with C&M Construction Enterprise LLC to restore an East Ninth Street traffic signal that was damaged in March. The ordinance was read in abbreviated form, advanced through three readings and adopted on a roll‑call vote; the board also attached an emergency clause so the repairs could proceed immediately. Roll‑call votes on this item were recorded as unanimous in favor among voting members present.

Agenda‑placement ordinance (amendment to ordinance 21‑2017): The board then debated a proposed change to the code intended to return more authority to individual directors to place items on the agenda while also adding procedural safeguards (require staff notice to affected department heads and optional city‑attorney documentation for legal questions). Supporters said the change would restore a pre‑2017 practice allowing directors to put items on the agenda; opponents argued the current workshop vetting process prevents frivolous items and protects staff time. After three readings the ordinance was put to a vote and failed to pass (vote recorded: Director Jewell yes; Assistant Mayor Harris yes; Directors Smith, Roberts and Brewer voted no). The transcript records the final tally as three opponents to two supporters, so the ordinance did not take effect.

Ending: Staff and directors agreed to continue using workshops as a vetting mechanism but also to clarify procedures and follow up with the public on outstanding requests.