Rockwall preparing to cancel May city elections

Yesterday was the deadline for candidates across North Texas to file for municipal elections in May.

Since no one filed in Rockwall to oppose Mayor Bill Cecil or current City Council members Glen Farris, Matt Scott or David Sweet, the City is preparing to cancel the election.

The cancellation also means there will be no vote to change the city charter to allow city council members to campaign for mayor without stepping down first.

Rockwall City Council votes to annex Lake Rockwall Estates, 6-1

Houses, mobile homes, autos and more are crowded into the generally run-down Lake Rockwall Estates area, located South of I-30 off Horizon Rd.

In an effort to clean up a generally run-down portion of the  community where over 1,000 children live, the Rockwall City Council voted last night to annex Lake Rockwall Estates, 6-1.

More city services will now be provided to the area, plus police will add patrols to the area troubled by high crime.

Read the details on the blogs of two City Council members:

RockwallTalks by Glen Farris

Margo Nielsen

Rockwall City Council selects architect to develop master plan for hill above Harbor

The Rockwall City Council voted 6 to 1 Aug. 16 to approve the hiring of an architectural firm to begin developing a master plan for the the Hill above The Harbor.

According to City Council member Glen Farris, who wrote the story on his new blog “Rockwall Talks,” the hill is considered the most important undeveloped land in Rockwall, if not the entire metroplex.

The Council approved Talley and Associates, after the firm was recommended by a subcommittee comprised of Farris, Mayor Bill Cecil, and Council member Margo Nielsen after an extensive selection process during which five firms were considered.

“Talley and Associates will go through a fairly extensive process in order to identify the best mixed use recommendation for this piece of land,” wrote Farris.

“This process will be developed through brainstorming with the City Council and staff as well as working with a team of individuals, including a marketing firm and architectural firm, in order to arrive at the best concept plan proposal for development of this site,” he added.

“A market analysis would be conducted to identify market trends for the type of development that is most ideal as well as an associated estimate on the potential value of the land once it is developed. There will also be a set of design standards that would be brought forth for adoption by the City as well as a concept plan and parking recommendations. View corridor and graphic depiction of the proposed elevation recommendations would also be included in the concept.”

For more details, visit Farris’ blog Rockwall Talks.

Rockwall City Council agrees not to exceed tax rate of 50.88 cents

After an all day meeting on August 15th, the Rockwall City Council agreed to a tax rate not to exceed 50.88 cents for the upcoming fiscal year.

For more details, see City Council member Glen Farris’ new blog “Rockwall Talks.”