City of Midland Pess Release... May 23, 2008

May 23, 2008

QUIET ZONE ANNIVERSARY
It’s been one-year now since the City of Midland’s quiet zones went into effect. The move has gained the attention of other cities who wish to quiet the horns in their area. The quiet zone has also helped those who conduct business in close proximity to the railroad tracks.

The quiet zone bans the routine sounding of train horns. Without a quiet zone, trains sound their horns even if the tracks are clear. With the establishment of the quiet zone, when the tracks are clear, the routine sounding is gone. However, if there is danger on the tracks, a pedestrian or vehicle near the tracks, while the crossings are in railroad preemption, the engineer will sound the horn. The quiet zone does not affect the sounding of bells and the flashing of lights at the crossings as these safety measures will still be in place.

The City installed raised medians, with additional curb system and vertical panels at all eleven railroad crossings inside the city limits. The improvements are in place as a supplementary safety measure to prevent vehicles from attempting to travel around the gates while they are down.

All of the railroad crossings have safety gates. Efforts to install gates at each intersection were completed in 2001 with the installation of gates at four intersections that did not already have the devices.

MAY 27th CITY COUNCIL MEETING

During the regular 10:00 a.m. meeting, the City Council will consider appropriating funds for improvements to Hogan Park. The $100,000 Certificates of Obligation Bond will help carry out the recommendations of the 2006 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. The funds will be used to install a playground structure with a shade canopy and 1.5 miles of a hike/bike trail system. The top four needs determined by the Master Plan include public restrooms, hike/bike trails, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.
The Council will consider another Parks & Recreation item related to the 2006 Master Plan. They will consider appropriating $30,000 from the 2007 Certificates of Obligation to establish the Midland Community Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund. Throughout the nation, park trust funds are becoming a popular mechanism for municipalities to gain additional funding to enhance the park, recreation, and open space amenities serving the general public. It will also provide an additional venue for foundations, individuals, or families to donate funds to a non-profit organization. The fund would be managed by the Permian Basin Area Foundation.
The City Council will consider preliminary distribution of CDBG Funds for the 2008/09 program year. A public hearing was held on May 13th to discuss distribution. The base allocation for the 2008/09 program year is $900,331. Also identified is $30,048 in prior accounts to be re-allocated. After the work session, the next step will be a public hearing on June 10, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. At this public hearing, the Council may make further adjustments to the proposed distribution of funds. At the meeting, the Council will then approve the distribution as part of the 2008/09 Action Plan. The Action Plan will then be subjected to a 30-day review period. The city will then submit the plan to HUD by August 15, 2008.

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