[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6702108,"mediaKeyId","2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97","parentId",2113105,"title","Council asks for clearer standards, tables mosquito control plan until February","audioSeconds",1581,"startMs",2784915,"endMs",4366552,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97&start=2784&end=4366","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97/thumbnail_2784915.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6702108/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Council-asks-for-clearer-standards-tables-mosquito-control-plan-until-February","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6702108-156fbb2e9ca95f2700df6e87355194e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134365&Signature=BHWI~mvoqLAXXABiO42R0np4X2MN2heY14S5JKioRRSDMykxUt5bSfOkCMopXRMuSdbwsbOJiK5NhZHe62M0Ayc5g8RQ7Hh5qrUpSOO1Q4wISABpbCNei2EsC2qGJSHFY40neHHJ9U4wVcTZm377xbZlTAEm1Owxq9lvzemA7H1eVFdRaUtTaXNTJofxSiNyHmxdPKn24IMQHwf8Z8e~4r1FAc-YblmNrUWOJoJZBG2EZCsMvyNFqk0Nm47byEyOowc76PBVOwzlFDUW-mwe5CfFIo53AtHfd2HnEpsv-pL0RooHAf3zXIXZgEtPll44l5epiYM~hRgS3ZhChVMZPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Bedford City Council on Jan. 14 reviewed proposed revisions to the city’s integrated mosquito management program and voted to table the plan so staff can add clearer thresholds, minimum trap standards and specified public‑notice procedures.

Environmental Specialist Tyler Spence told council the 2024 mosquito season produced Bedford’s highest number of positive trap samples in seven years, and the city needs more flexible language to adjust to year‑to‑year changes in Tarrant County sampling budgets and trap capacity. “These tend to change year to year…being able to stay flexible is an important aspect,” Spence said.

Spence proposed changing the plan’s fixed trap locations to monitoring zones sized by a roughly 1‑mile radius and using a risk‑level system (low, medium, high) tied to surveillance, larvicide and adulticide measures. He also recommended delegating authority to escalate or de‑escalate risk levels to the city manager or the manager’s designee so the city could respond faster than waiting for a council meeting.

Council members raised multiple concerns about vagueness in the draft. “We’re not holding ourselves to any kind of standards,” Councilmember Sabol said, arguing the plan should specify a minimum trap count and define routine surveillance frequency. Several members asked that the plan explicitly state the city will larvicide publicly owned drainage channels and parks and that positive trap detections be communicated via the city website and social media.

Mayor Pro Tem Gagliardi and others proposed a minimum of one trap per monitoring zone and suggested five monitoring zones as a floor; Spence said the map presented anticipated five trap locations if the county allowed five samples. Councilmember Farco and others called for evidence‑based thresholds that clearly define when the city moves from low to medium or high risk.

After discussion, councilmember Gagliardi moved to table the item so staff can revise the plan with the clarifications requested; the motion passed unanimously. Council asked staff to return the revised plan for consideration at the city’s first February meeting (Feb. 11 was scheduled as a strategic planning session, and council asked for the mosquito item no later than the first February regular meeting). Spence said routine larvicide will begin in March to get ahead of the season.

Ending: Council delayed final action to allow staff to add minimum trap requirements, surveillance schedules and explicit public notice procedures, and to insert a clause tying minimum traps to what the county will accept. The revised plan is expected back for council consideration by February 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bedford - City Council - Jan 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After months of higher West Nile-positive samples countywide, the city’s environmental specialist proposed flexible revisions to Bedford’s mosquito management plan. Council members said the draft lacked minimum standards for traps, surveillance frequency and public notice; they unanimously tabled the item for revisions to return by Feb. 1.","taxTitle","Bedford, Tarrant County, Texas","taxId",50915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6702113,"Bedford council hears Republic Services explain December trash delays, vows improved communication",2049,115331,2164605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97&start=115&end=2164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97/thumbnail_115331.jpg","/articles/6702113/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Bedford-council-hears-Republic-Services-explain-December-trash-delays-vows-improved-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6702113-ae9a6b4ff4ad7d6f8797f243d54cc4e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134365&Signature=aG1kPpWqW7Ua1mu8YV5PUrVDJ6Xkcwbpxhbk8cGkG7t8HqaGaGfQ7I2IU1PVfmP7fEcmYZPPu~mRexynZ83F5oDdEQJeyazKmg1ccjPAhSw80R3NA7QjdiZYnTt-Uop9NzjIvLQJGTYZzd35Vl0JfdFGgxFmV0VffguaEe-ghh705wwn19lIHB6xIjFah1VW4z-1RuH4Ch8A4dppGWOJruVAbGD8S3~XzNQWK3~o6vOn5nm5dGlglo7ocwc~l2~cXrAdMroNNZVtmffX7CQEf9UDox6Az9taohhmQb7m3Jda4StZoZlD1KJ4SgwOvkN1XSNhpSWnoDqxOcSwjfm3jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Republic Services representatives told the Bedford City Council on Jan. 14 that unusually high residential volumes, wet landfill conditions and staff turnover combined to cause multiweek delays in curbside trash collection in December.

The city invited Jerry Harwell of Republic Services to explain the company’s response after residents reported missed pickups. “In December…this year, it went up 470 tons,” Harwell said, describing the rise from November. She told council that an extra 470 tons equates to roughly 40 additional landfill hauls, given an 8- to 10-ton load per truck.

That spike was not solely holiday waste, Harwell said. A warm fall kept leaves on trees longer so they dropped in a short period and residents bagged them for curbside pickup. “There’s a lot of bagged leaves out there,” she said, and noted Republic’s preference that residents mulch leaves rather than send them to a landfill in plastic bags. Wet weather also slowed landfill processing and increased turnaround time, Harwell said, and several new drivers and routine holiday paid time off reduced available staff.

City Manager Andrea Roy and council members pressed Republic on communications and on recurring missed pickups in some neighborhoods. Roy said residents had been waiting up to three weeks for collection in some cases and urged Republic to notify the city earlier when routes were in trouble so staff could inform the public. “We need to work on our communication and get the message out sooner,” Roy said.

Harwell described steps the company has taken: deploying four additional drivers from another location during the December surge, keeping an extra “floater” route available for sudden volume increases, monitoring routes by midafternoon to identify trouble and reassigning assets, and reviewing route design to shorten oversized routes. She said the company had raised its local driver cap and was hiring — “we’ve actually increased our cap at staffing…from 62 to 66” — to improve resiliency.

Council members suggested operational changes and public education. Councilmember Farco asked whether residents could reduce tonnage by changing yard‑waste practices; Harwell urged mulching over bagging. Councilmember Duncan pressed for review of route assignments, especially on the south side where residents reported repeated misses. Several members asked the city and Republic to coordinate pre-storm contingency plans and to use early, even provisional, messages to residents when crews see a likely multi‑day delay.

Harwell said Republic had suspended a Thursday route during the snow event so the city could be caught up sooner and that all Bedford routes were caught up the week of the meeting. “This week, we’re back to normal service,” she said. She apologized for the December disruption and said the company takes responsibility for its contract obligations.

City staff and Republic agreed to continue working on: route redesign where appropriate, earlier SOS (mutual‑aid) requests for drivers, a clearer notification protocol to the city at the 3 p.m. check‑in when routes are running behind, and regular updates to Bedford staff so the city can push timely notices to residents. The council did not take formal action on the presentation; Harwell was invited back for follow‑up as staff and Republic implement the changes.

Ending: Council members thanked Harwell and Republic’s operations manager, Travis Benson, for attending. City staff said they will track missed‑pickup reports and report back to council on progress at a future meeting.","Republic Services told the Bedford City Council that an unexpected 470-ton increase in residential waste, wet landfill conditions, new drivers and holiday staffing led to service delays in December. The company and city leaders agreed on steps to improve routing, staffing and communications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6702099,"Votes at a glance: Bedford City Council actions, Jan. 14, 2025",4224,2175565,6399815,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97&start=2175&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97/thumbnail_2175565.jpg","/articles/6702099/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Bedford-City-Council-actions-Jan-14-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6702099-6657a9f6bbf1fbf11cb16cba1633ffa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134365&Signature=mNOkfXIqx1-wS35htjZXtH1TZyy0EZAJXp9~m6-nkDMYD8A1PXPpARHsZWW7ZzoNcUpykBAi~bYUB~k0jRNhSQ7BIBY7WSUDna1fOkJPbjFPUVwaJzhdqPR2K5fsAjAFGTmSx05N397~-frw~~BUKLkGdb8-Nqx1rnbAGxBLSz-OKlQ2P1Uh1yh6agGH91g-c6vok6RPrNLLjZwV-oUIbIFlRr4qjzVuhHAYgn5~4PcrOnaBvZaSlVjJQIjHocokz-N7l9oRd6n94Ex74KSwDyeNpcZBSGlGuvrtSjJhPHh0WAIKQMoQ1Q4MuGrbpRSKRDShMSgWKGETU2J-oFhDPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford City Council took a series of routine and project‑level actions on Jan. 14; all recorded votes passed unanimously.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda (items 1–5): Council approved minutes, a Christmas tree purchase and several purchasing contracts. Motion to approve consent items carried; mover: Mayor Pro Tem Gagliardi; second: Councilmember Farco.
- Purchase of a new holiday tree from Carpenter Decorating in the amount of $57,653, funded from the tourism fund administrative budget (tree will be 46 feet with an 8‑foot topper and about 4,500 LED lights).
- Contracts for police ammunition with GT Distributors and SSD International, and a short initial contract with Gulf States Distributors through a cooperative agreement, with an estimated combined authorization of up to $20,000 annually and $100,000 if all extensions exercised; funded through the police operating budget.
- One‑year contract (five‑year option) with Lowery Sand and Gravel Company for sand and gravel purchases up to $40,000 annually; funded through public works budgets.
- Contract with Sampac’s 5 Star Ford of Carrollton for two 2024 Ford F‑150 four‑door pickup trucks and upfitting, estimated at $165,248; funded through the general fund fire operating budget and vehicle replacement funds.

- Ordinance / developer participation (item 6): Council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute a developer participation agreement with 3MB/MEBS Property Company, LLC for public improvements related to a 7.5‑acre commercial tract at NW corner of State Highway 183 and North Industrial Boulevard, reallocating earlier incentives consistent with bond constraints. Motion: Councilmember Sabol; second: Councilmember Donovan Brandon. Outcome: approved.

- Bedford Road Beautification (item 8): Council approved a resolution supporting the conceptual design and authorized the city manager to submit funding applications (NetCOG/TxDOT). Motion: Councilmember Farco; second: Councilmember Donovan Brandon. Outcome: approved.

- General election (item 9): Council ordered a general election for Saturday, May 3, 2025, for City Council Places 3 and 5; early voting dates and contracting with Tarrant County for election services were authorized. Motion: Councilmember Sabol; second: Councilmember Farco. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment to Building and Standards Commission / Zoning Board of Adjustment (item 10): Council appointed Stephanie Yarbrough to Place 2, term through Dec. 31, 2026; motion made by the presiding official and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gagliardi. Outcome: approved.

- City representative to Hurst, Euless, Bedford Economic Development Foundation (item 11): Council appointed a councilmember (council member Steves) to serve as a city representative; motion and second recorded. Outcome: approved.

Ending: Council voted unanimously on the recorded agenda items; staff will proceed with contracts and follow‑up actions and return with further details or funding agreements as required.","The council approved consent items, several contracts and appointments, ordered the May 3 general election and took other routine actions. All recorded votes in the meeting passed unanimously.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6702104,"Council backs conceptual Bedford Road beautification plan, authorizes funding applications",3733,2666306,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97&start=2666&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113105-5004b68b4eaeae83aef41138d91eca97/thumbnail_2666306.jpg","/articles/6702104/Bedford/Tarrant-County/Texas/Council-backs-conceptual-Bedford-Road-beautification-plan-authorizes-funding-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6702104-ccdec30ac8e3b6e0082b0b4c490a2776/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134365&Signature=fRXNV2mwYdBRYMGqPe2ABnv2aSZU-Hly8ycsyLX0i92qmZbx4gHwvr7Xf09XQHL0WiNlTQ3yKb2fqVDlZOmpLOlMCrXq0M6a8F7TfqMBj3iZ3RIr3eCAYTN3L31Y3a9KXjks1dIbVGGKMl5HFLCbud7TC8uPXA8IqndjIA6XQ1nGr75lNTUStnb8GbvKGNesIwMO04r2vnvETp6O78qHQgMvKym2Ep49MYuxi9KLtvIlO7i4UjYeAcizptY36BQJT~QfFy3b3uztcMeXSPPmcbPkXhMZO5perhTXSm6Il1eKDjXGEwxU0o33GtEQJOjytEdVJgYHLHJZpuh3WjJwxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford City Council on Jan. 14 voted unanimously to support a conceptual design for a Bedford Road beautification and pedestrian‑safety project and authorized the city manager to submit outside‑funding applications, including to NetCOG and TxDOT.

City Engineer Joe Schweitzer said a consultant’s conceptual plan would convert a portion of Bedford Road from multiple lanes to a two‑lane section with a 12‑foot multiuse trail, landscaping and upgraded crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety and trail connectivity to nearby neighborhoods and regional trail networks. “This is not intended in any way to be a copy and paste for all of Bedford Road,” Schweitzer told council, describing the work as location‑specific.

Schweitzer said limited, preliminary traffic snapshots showed the road would maintain an acceptable level of service if reduced to two through lanes at the study segment; he noted average speeds exceeded the posted 35 mph limit and that the 85th percentile approached 43 mph. The concept includes two alternatives: alternative A would mill and overlay existing asphalt for the kept lanes; alternative B is a more extensive “Cadillac” option that replaces the roadway with concrete and carries higher upfront costs because of possible deeper storm‑drain work and regrading.

Council members emphasized pedestrian safety near Trinity High School and asked staff to study transitions to adjacent streets (Woodson, Murphy) and the safety of the access road to the 121 ramps. Schweitzer said the project would not immediately change the bridge structures but could propose reconfiguring through lanes and left‑turn lanes to create space for a wider pedestrian trail on the bridge.

The council asked staff to pursue funding quickly: Schweitzer said NetCOG’s application round had a Friday deadline and that award decisions would likely come later in the spring, with design and construction timelines stretching into subsequent years if funds are awarded. “We can shoot for the stars with option B and have the backup plan with option A,” Schweitzer said, noting NetCOG/TxDOT scoring is relative to other applicants’ projects.

Ending: Council approved the resolution to support the conceptual design and authorized staff to submit funding applications and to return with engineering plans, traffic studies and funding agreements if the project is awarded. The council approved the measure unanimously.","Bedford council approved a resolution to support a conceptual design that would reduce lanes on a portion of Bedford Road, add a 12‑foot shared use trail, landscaping and enhanced crosswalks, and authorized city staff to apply for NetCOT/TxDOT funding. The city will refine traffic, drainage and design details if awarded grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks for clearer standards, tables mosquito control plan until February

Bedford council hears Republic Services explain December trash delays, vows improved communication

Votes at a glance: Bedford City Council actions, Jan. 14, 2025

Council backs conceptual Bedford Road beautification plan, authorizes funding applications