Committee hears public complaints about potholes and access as chamber upgrades, parking and sidewalk projects move forward

The committee said the council chambers will be closed after the Dec. 16 meeting for audiovisual upgrades and other renovation work that is expected to be completed in April, and that some minor secure‑parking expansion work will be included if the council approves a cost estimate.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents described recurring potholes and difficult access near Hamilton Road, Colquitt Street and Scott Street. Michael Snee specifically pointed to a persistent pothole under the I‑20 overpass and said the area has seen little repair; the committee replied that potholes would be patched as they arise and that full panel replacements await the larger Hamilton Road reconstruction, which staff described as an "almost $7,000,000" project.

William A. Blackshire and Janice Sneed, representing local churches, asked about signal timing at Hamilton and East Texas and whether sidewalks would be included in the planned work. Staff said the yellow‑flashing signal installations are part of a broader DOTD standard change and that the city would consider a public service announcement explaining the flashing‑yellow rule; staff also reiterated that sidewalks and smaller side‑street repairs are handled through the citywide street‑repair program and district allocations.

Speaker 9 said the recently approved $300,000 additional funding will largely extend the current citywide street and sidewalk contract and that bids for the 2026 project are expected in February 2026. No votes were taken on these items at the committee meeting.