Benbrook council approves minutes, appoints police commander to animal shelter panel and shortens school‑zone hours
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Summary
At its Jan. 16 meeting, the Benbrook City Council unanimously approved minutes from Jan. 2, appointed Commander Rick Cooper to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and adopted Ordinance No. 1507 to revise school‑zone times around Benbrook Middle‑High School; the ordinance requires two published notices and signs will be posted next week.
The Benbrook City Council on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, unanimously approved three routine actions: acceptance of the Jan. 2 meeting minutes, appointment of Commander Rick Cooper to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and adoption of Ordinance No. 1507 to change school‑zone times near Benbrook Middle‑High School.
The appointments and ordinance were approved by roll call without further amendment. Dr. Marshall moved to approve the Jan. 2 minutes, seconded by Mr. Tanner; Ms. Mackey moved to appoint Commander Rick Cooper to replace retired Commander Michael Mullenax on the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, seconded by Mr. Phillips; and Ms. Franklin moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1507 amending Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Benbrook Municipal Code, seconded by Ms. Mackey. The council voted unanimously on each item.
Commander Craig Ross, speaking during the appointment item, cited Texas law pertaining to municipal oversight of animal shelters: “Section 823.05 of the Texas Health and Safety Code requires the governing body of a municipality in which an animal shelter is located to appoint an advisory committee,” he said. Ross said the committee must include at least one licensed veterinarian, one municipal official, one person involved in daily shelter operations and one representative from an animal‑welfare organization. Staff told council that Commander Michael Mullenax retired from the Benbrook Police Department in October 2024 and recommended that Commander Rick Cooper replace him on the advisory committee.
Public Services Director Bennett Howe presented the ordinance to revise school‑zone times after the school district requested the change to better match traffic patterns. “This was brought to us by the school district, and they want to improve the traffic patterns around Benbrook Middle‑High School by amending the school‑zone times,” Howe said. Staff reported the current school day runs roughly 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; existing posted zone hours are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The district proposed new zone times of 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. as better aligned with arrival and dismissal periods. A map included with the presentation identified eight signs on Overcrest Drive, West Park Drive and Pebblestone Drive.
Howe told council that if the council adopted the ordinance it would be published twice in the local paper next week, and staff planned to install the signs the following Thursday so the new times could take effect then.
Votes at a glance: - Acceptance of minutes, regular meeting Jan. 2, 2025 — Motion: approve minutes; mover: Dr. Marshall; second: Mr. Tanner; outcome: approved unanimously. - Appointment to Animal Shelter Advisory Committee — Motion: replace retired Commander Michael Mullenax with Commander Rick Cooper; mover: Ms. Mackey; second: Mr. Phillips; outcome: approved unanimously. - Ordinance No. 1507 (amending Title 10, Section 10.24.010.b — school zone times near Benbrook Middle‑High School) — Motion: amend municipal code as presented; mover: Ms. Franklin; second: Ms. Mackey; outcome: approved unanimously. The ordinance requires two publications and staff said signs would be installed next Thursday.
No members of the public spoke on agenda items during the meeting, and the council adjourned at about 7:11 p.m.