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Residents urge leniency for volunteer outreach ticketed under new ordinance and push to revive a quiet zone
Summary
During public comment, a longtime volunteer said a recent ticket under a no-camping ordinance threatens her outreach to people experiencing homelessness; another resident offered to volunteer to pursue an FRA quiet-zone application to reduce train horn noise.
The council heard multiple public comments on neighborhood quality-of-life issues. Linda Brooks, who introduced herself as a longtime unpaid public servant in Waxahachie, said she received a large ticket under a recently enacted ordinance while assisting an 80-year-old woman and expressed concern that enforcement is hindering charitable outreach. "I was approached and given a $101,181 dollar ticket, which I can't afford because I am on SSI," she told council and asked for an accommodation so she can continue serving neighbors.
Bob Ferris offered to volunteer with city staff to reactivate an application to the Federal Railroad Administration for quiet-zone protections along parts of Waxahachie, saying the train horns are a public nuisance and that a municipal champion is needed to coordinate multi-jurisdictional requirements. Ferris said he'd be willing to help raise money and work with public-works staff on the FRA process.
Council thanked speakers and noted the items raised—enforcement impacts and noisy train horns—would be considered by staff in future planning. Several council members echoed concern about enforcement outcomes and said staff would coordinate follow-up.
