ARGYLE, TX (November 17, 2020) – During the Town Council meeting on November 16, 2020, Argyle Assistant Town Administrator Erika McComis administered the Oath of Office to newly-elected Councilmembers Bryan Livingston, Sherri Myers, and Rick Bradford. Ms. Myers and Mr. Livingston had served as appointed members of the Town Council since 2019. Mr. Bradford had previously served on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Town Council elected Mr. Livingston to serve as Mayor Pro Tem until the next General Election to be held in May 2021. With the Mayor's seat vacant due to the resignation of former Mayor Moser, Mayor Pro Tem Livingston will serve as the Town's chief elected official and will serve as the presiding officer at council meetings.
The Town Council approved issuing $2,000,000 in Certificates of Obligation to pay for the relocation of a sewer line associated with the US Highway 377 widening project. The 20-year Certificates of Obligation (CO) were issued at an interest rate of 1.69890%, which was significantly lower than forecast by the Town's financial advisor. Town Council members commented favorably on the results of the CO auction. Mayor Pro Tem Livingston commended town staff for working with the town engineer to bring the estimated cost of the sewer line relocation down from an initial estimate of approximately $3,000,000. The sewer line relocation's creative design also included eliminating the obsolete lift station at Frenchtown Road, saving the Town several hundred thousand dollars in replacement costs.
The Town Council voted to establish a 90-day development moratorium on the FM 407 corridor east of Interstate Highway 35. The moratorium is intended to allow time for a staff review of the drainage and traffic impacts of the high development tempo in the area.
Finally, the Town Council approved moving forward with a Notice of Intent to Union Pacific, BNSF, and TXDOT for establishing a Quiet Zone throughout the Town of Argyle. If ultimately approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, the Quiet Zone will eliminate the sounding of train horns at all five rail crossings in Argyle. Improvements necessary to implement a Quiet Zone will be completed in conjunction with the US 377 widening project.