The Burleson City Council, at its March 1 meeting, unanimously approved a measure to continue the city ordinance that establishes curfew hours for minors.

Texas law requires the city to review the ordinance every three years to discuss effects on the community and other problems.

Curfew for minors under 17 is 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights until 6 a.m. the following morning; and 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights until 6 a.m. the following morning.

The original curfew ordinance was passed in April 2001. The ordinance was last reviewed in 2007.

According to Burleson Police Chief Tom Cowan, 24 citations were issued in 2001.

In 2002, 67 citations were issued, followed by 57 citations in 2003, 41 in 2004, 95 in 2005 and 108 in 2006.

There were 101 citations issued in 2007, 69 citations in 2008, and 105 in 2009.

Mayor Kenneth Shetter said he believed citations have increased as high school class sizes have spiked.

Cowan told council members the ordinance is a valuable tool for officers.

“It is especially useful during the summer months in protecting unsupervised juveniles from becoming victims or committing offenses,” he said. “Many vandalism and vehicle burglaries are committed by juveniles during the summer months. The department believes the ordinance helps decrease the occurrence of these offenses and respectfully requests the curfew ordinance remain in effect.”

The Mayor’s Youth Council, which met on Feb. 22 to discuss the ordinance with Burleson police, recommended continuation of the ordinance.

After a public hearing, council members also approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the name of Arnold Avenue to Elk Drive between Southwest Wilshire Boulevard and Vaden Avenue.

City officials said this portion of Arnold Avenue will be complete in April and that the cost to change street marker blades is around $350.

The council also approved a minute order authorizing revenues from the automated red light enforcement program be used for construction of traffic safety improvements at a Union Pacific Railroad crossing on Northeast Alsbury Blvd.

According to Robert House, deputy city engineer, the improvements, which would not exceed a $50,000 price tag, include constructing raised concrete medians from each approach of the intersection to discourage drivers from driving around railroad crossing arms.

In other business, the council approved a $42,000 engineering services contract with Kimbley-Horn and Associates for construction documents for Bailey Lake Park and approved a bid from Chesapeake Energy regarding the lease of minerals on city-owned property.

The next scheduled council meeting is March 15.

City council election

Financial adviser Rick D. Green of Burleson filed Thursday for the city council Place 2 position and will oppose incumbent Jim Wadlow in the May 8 election.

The filing deadline for city council places 2, 4, 6 and mayor was March 8.

Residents within the Burleson city limits have until April 8 to register to vote in the May election.

For more information about the election, visit www.burlesontx.com or call the city secretary’s office at 817-426-9660 and press option 3.

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