BY JESSICA RICHARDSON

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Resident Brent Hoy has submitted a special request. He has asked councilors to approve the use of a neighborhood electric vehicle, also known as a golf cart, on city streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph.

The only obstacle that stands in Hoy's way is that his golf cart does not possess all necessary safety items. It has a horn and seat-belts and turn signals, even tail and brake lights. There's a slow moving triangle posted on the back. A windshield and headlights are present, too. However, Hoy cannot locate windshield wipers for his vehicle. He is therefore asking councilors to amend the city's code and waive the need for such safety items.

He gave some explanation as to why he would like to take his golf cart on the road. "With the rise in the cost of gasoline, I, like many others, have been searching for an alternative and less expensive means of transportation as I maneuver around town. I have considered modes such as a motorcycle, moped, or scooter. For the sake of time and space, I won't go into my history of accidents as evidence of why I shouldn't purchase a two-wheeled vehicle."

Councilors will consider Hoy's request, and plenty of others, at a work session scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 500 W. Chestnut St. The purpose of a work session is to review items proposed for the following city council agenda on Monday.

A proposed one-year pilot program at Waterloo Pool would cut admission in half for special groups, including City of Denison, Denison ISD, and TMC employees as well as their families. The discount would only apply for recreational swim. The goal, according to a representative with Denison Parks and Recreation, is to "generate more usage of Waterloo Pool during a time period that additional cost would be a non-issue." Denison ISD and TMC have both requested authorization by councilors to proceed with the program.

A resolution will come before councilors in support of the FM 691 connection to SH 289. The connection is said to foster future industrial development surrounding the airport, and along SH 289 on the facility's west side.

An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of City of Denison Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2008 will come before the council. These bonds would levy an annual ad valorem tax and provide the security for and payment of such certificates. Bonds totaling $5.15 million will be sold to fund improvements to the city's waterworks and sewer system.

Five-year residential tax abatements might be approved for property owners at 1229 Amsden Circle, 803 N. Eighth, and 721 W. Woodard. All applicants have meet the city's criteria.

As a member of the Cities Aggregation Power Project -- a non-profit organization created back in 2001 in anticipation of the deregulation of the retail electric market in Texas -- the city of Denison might enter a long-term power purchase agreement. It is expected to yield "better, more fiscally responsible budgets resulting from the stable and predictable long term energy costs that will be available to CAPP members through the baselaod contract."

Two years ago, the city declared a two-acre tract of land with no public road access as surplus. Since the property is surrounded by MASA, Inc., councilors will consider exchanging the isolated two-acre tract of land for a general utility easement along the frontage of SH 84 on all property owned by MASA. The values of both properties are said to be equal.

An old sewer easement could be abandoned in order to clear a 112-acre tract of land recently acquired by the city of any encumbrances.