Monitor Photo/Denise York
Members of the Oakmont POA fill the chairs during the April 9 meeting.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Henderson County HELP Center representatives Debbie Stanley, Susan Randall and Patricia Whitley (in no particular order) gather around Mayor Randy Teague (seated) as he signs a proclamation making April Child Abuse and Awareness and Prevention Month in the city.

MABANK-Members of the Oakmont Estates Property Owners Association (POA) turned out in force to ask for the city’s help in making the entrance on US Highway 175 safer for the residents. 
Numerous residents of Oakmont Estates looked on as spokesperson Paul Hoff presented a plea to the city council for direction and assistance in getting a right turn lane constructed in front of their subdivision entrance. Oakmont Estates consists of 80 lots, 37 of which are either occupied or under development or construction. The POA circulated a petition to ask for the city’s help which all current residents signed.
Comments attached to the petition testified to the danger and concern of the residents with some citing close calls of nearly being rear-ended and some said their vehicle had been struck by debris while attempting to turn.  The entrance is approximately one-half mile west of the intersection of US 175 and West Mason Street where yellow flashing lights warn drivers to slow down for the intersection and the posted speed limit at the entrance is 70 MPH.
Hoff said entering the subdivision requires the driver to “either cross over the rumble strips and drop onto the shoulder or they can stay in the right-hand lane to make that corner. All of us are aware that traffic on 175 is increasing and will continue to increase…The 70 mph speed limit sign is not adhered to every well and that adds to it (the danger).” Hoff went on to explain that either option presents dangers, either from losing control of the vehicle or being hit by traffic. Hoff told the council that the option the POA recommends is to “go back about 100 yards, paint a double stripe between the improved shoulder and the highway, place a ‘right turn only’ sign and remove the rumble strips from that section, creating a right tun lane on the shoulder.” Hoff went on to say that the POA believes the shoulder is wide enough to accommodate traffic into the subdivision. Another issue is the accumulation of gravel in the entrance due to rain runoff.
City Administrator Bryant Morris stated that TxDOT has some highway expansion in planning stages that may affect the entrance, possibly making the highway a three-lane road. The council agreed to reach out to TxDOT engineers to assist the homeowners with their concerns. Morris also told the group that the same conditions exist at Lighthouse Landing with the eastbound lane of US 175.
Representatives from Henderson County HELP center presented a proclamation which Teague signed to make April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the city. A similar one was signed in Henderson County April 2.
In other business, council members:
Amended Ordinance 2023-08 to include fines, creating ordinance 2024-04, dealing with building codes and fire codes.
Approved final plan set for Parks RV Park, located on US Highway 175. Plans include 108 RV slots.
Reviewed and approved parking ordinance 2024-03. Teague said, “This ordinance does not make it illegal on any street within the city of Mabank to park.” Teague noted that if the fire marshal or police chief present reasons why parking should be restricted due to the inability to get emergency vehicle through, the council can by resolution address that situation and make changes.
Approved purchases presented by Morris including $52,571 for a truck from Tri-County Ford and $7,500 for a sweeper bucket for skid-steer.
Heard department reports and updates to city projects given by Morris.