Shenandoah council adopts park master plan changes, approves opt-in recycling and funds parking project

At its Aug. 27 meeting the Shenandoah City Council approved several operational and capital items: it adopted a revised park master plan with explicit exclusions, approved continued subscription (opt-in) recycling rather than universal curbside recycling, amended park hours, and authorized additional funding and a construction contract for expanded parking at the main park.

Park master plan: After public comment from adjacent residents and staff clarification that certain small parks (Rosewood Trust and Cedarwood) had been removed verbally but remained in writing, the council voted to adopt the park master plan while specifically removing pathways shown between the pool and the park, eliminating a proposed second splash pad, and removing a proposed dog park. Staff emphasized that adopting an updated plan would make the city eligible for certain Texas Parks & Wildlife grant programs that require a current plan.

Recycling: Republic Services representative Laura Capehart outlined the contract options. The base bid would have placed universal weekly recycling on all accounts at a roughly $4.49 monthly increase per household; the alternate keeps the current subscription model with users opting in and paying a subscription. Councilman Robinson moved to retain subscription recycling (opt-in) at $8.32 for subscribers; the council approved the motion by voice vote.

Park hours and enforcement: Council amended the parks ordinance to change opening hours to 8 a.m. and closing to 9:30 p.m., and discussed enforcement practicalities with the police department. Police advised residents to call the non-emergency line when people remain past hours because officers cannot be guaranteed to sweep parks every night.

Parking project: Staff reported ARS Construction was the lowest qualified bidder for the main-park parking expansion at $235,641. Revised designs increase total parking from 39 to about 53 spaces; council voted to add $105,000 in city funding to cover the differential and authorized awarding the contract to ARS Construction, with the Municipal Development District (MDD) asked to reimburse the city when it next meets.

Other routine votes included selecting Paul Vergadamo as the city’s representative to the Montgomery County Emergency Communications board, adopting past meeting minutes, and ratifying July accounts payable.

What happens next: Staff will amend the written master plan to reflect the council’s exclusions and publish the updated documents; the parking contract will be executed and MDD will be asked for reimbursement at its next meeting.