Cedar Hill OKs new red-light camera contract

by Steve Snyder of Cedar Hill TODAY

Worried that the Texas Legislature would put a red light on red-light cameras, the Cedar Hill City Council approved extending its agreement with American Traffic Solutions May 26.

In this year's Texas Legislature session, the Texas Department of Transportation was under scheduled sunset review for renewal of its existence as a state agency, and definition of its authority.

The Texas House's version of TxDOT renewal would ban cities from either beginning, or renewing, red-light camera contracts after June 1. The Texas Senate's version of TxDOT legislation has no such provision; the two versions will have to go to conference committee.

To be on the safe side, the council approved a 15-year contract extension.

Other council business

In public forum, animal rights activist Rebekah Clay said she was “disgusted” that John Stevens of the Cedar Hill Police Department didn't contact her in advance of a presentation to the council with a survey about city animal control.

Mayor Rob Franke noted that the information was collected above all for the benefit of the council, but noted that she could get the information from the city secretary's office.

In a pre-meeting briefing session, Main Street Director Patty Bushart updated the council on what the city was doing to meet a parking agreement with Babe's, the chicken restaurant opening in the old city hall building in downtown Cedar Hill.

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