Squaw Creek project hits roadblock

Willow Park Mayor Teresa Palmer read a proclamation honoring Parker County Brewing at the Feb. 10 city council meeting. Shown with Palmer is Ryan Stewart of Parker County Brewing.

Randy Keck/The Community News

The effort to formulate a Home Rule Charter for the city was thwarted (see related story), and a wrench was also thrown into the city’s plans for upgrading Squaw Creek with paving and infrastructure improvements.

A vote was scheduled at the meeting to approve issuing Certificates of Obligation of up to $10,110,000 for the project.

However, city resident Marcy Galle spearheaded a petition drive to force the project to a vote of the people instead. The completed petition was turned in to the city on Monday, Feb. 9.

There were questions raised at the meeting as to whether the petition was valid, but City Secretary Deana McMullen said there had not been enough time to validate the signatures on the petition.

If the petition was valid, then council could not go forward with the Certificates of Obligation and the issue would have to be placed on the election ballot.

Because of election schedule deadlines, council can’t hold a meeting in time to put Squaw Creek on the May ballot.

A motion to deny the certificates of obligation passed, with Scott Smith voting against.

In other action, the council:

• approved a new city limits map for the city to include recent annexations of Dustin Haney’s (Fortified Fitness) property and the Beall-Dean Ranch;
• appointed Jerry Vierling, Cynthia Neverdouski, and Jamie Chick to the Parks Board;
• reappointed Michael Chandler and Ever Gomez to the Planning & Zoning Commission;
• approved a development agreement for Clearion, 83 acres just east of the north end of Crown Pointe;
• approved a lease agreement with Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1 at the Willow Park Public Safety Building;
• approved a resolution to participate in a state grant for rifle and body armor for the Willow Park Police Dept.