Question:  Why are there not sidewalks in all areas of Tyler.
Answer:  The Pedestrian Access Study performed through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in 2010 showed the need for improved pedestrian facilities around the City of Tyler.  The City of Tyler has taken a proactive approach in utilizing funds to construct sidewalks on numerous roadways around town.  Our current project will come to a close in February and nearly $1.5M was spent on new/improved pedestrian routes.  These funds addressed the top eleven sites in the study.  In addition, the City of Tyler has applied for grant funds through TxDOT to proceed with the next eleven sites in the study.  This next program will construct approximately 7.4 miles of five-foot wide sidewalks.

Question: When will the City begin permitting stores to sell alcohol?
Answer: The City will not actually issue the permit. The TABC issues it. The City is one step in that process. On Nov. 19 the City Council will canvas the election results and businesses can begin the permitting process at that point.

Question: Why is there only one library in the entire city? There really needs to be one on the south side of town?
Answer: The current building was opened in 1980 as the successor to the original Carnegie Library building and was placed in the downtown area based on its central location and a long-term commitment to a strong city center. Although branch facilities have been considered in intervening years, the cost-effectiveness of stocking and staffing such locations has not been considered financially feasible. Also, the Library offers E-Books as an alternative. The City transit system has a stop very nearby the library and travel time by personal vehicle is not as difficult as it would be in a city with a larger layout.

Question: Is the City CNG station open to the public?
Answer: At this time, the City is conducting a pilot program to evaluate the benefits of expanding the use of CNG in our fleet. Therefore the facility we established at our Vehicle Services site is only for these vehicles. However, our long range plans do include a public private partnership to build a public station.

Question: How do I access Council Meeting videos online?
Answer: The direct link is: http://video.cityoftyler.org/Citizens/Default.aspx?AgencyName=TylerTX You can always find it in one of a couple of places:
-There is a Council Online icon link on the lower right hand side of our home page on our website.
-There is a link to Watch a Council Meeting on the "I want to" drop down menu on the top of our home page. (It is pretty far down)
-There is a link on the top of the page where the city council agendas are posted also (under the "government" drop down menu).

Question: How much longer will you be the Mayor?
Answer: I have served two, two-year terms as Mayor. My current term ends this May. I am permitted to serve a total of three consecutive terms, if elected by the citizens of Tyler. I am running for Mayor in the election to be held in May. Update: The Mayor is unopposed this election - so will be serving as the Mayor for a third term beginning in May 2012.

Question: I teach here at Lee High School. The traffic department recently re-striped the intersection of Donnybrook and the Loop on our Northeast corner. I see a potential for major problems with the current set-up.
Answer: The original lane configurations have been restored.

Question:
Throughout the recent fires, I hear that there's been some grief from the City of Tyler helping our County Fire Departments. Why would there be grief in helping our fellow partners? Why would there be a question as to not receiving the much needed help here?
Answer: I have discussed your comments with both the Fire Chief and the City Manager. We are all perplexed as to the source of your perception of "some grief" - as nothing could be further from the truth. The City of Tyler Fire Department has, to our knowledge, never declined a request for assistance from the County. Additionally, we have dedicated extensive resources to fighting the recent wildfires outside the City limits. I hope this information clears up any misconception about our commitment to assisting our neighbors in need. We appreciate you sharing your concerns with the Mayor and encourage you to continue to do so.

Question:
Why are the fire hydrants open and spurting water sometimes?
Answer:
The running hydrants that you are seeing are part of the management of our water system to maintain the highest quality water as possible. The State mandates that we flush our system and we do this by opening hydrants. Particularly in the hot summer months, flushing the 520 miles of water mains helps to maintain chlorine levels and overall water quality.

Question:
Along with many other Tyler citizens...I don't agree with allowing DD's to open next to Lee HS. I understand that the company that owns El Chico also owns DD's and so a new permit was not required? DD's is using SEX to sell food! and our teens from Lee are going to be going there thinking that's funny looking at the girls serving them barely clothed! We have no Hooters in Tyler and we don't want a DD's here either! Moral decay is a huge reason for our society's decline!Please do something against this!
Answer: We have received a permit request for renovation at the location you referenced. This is not a zoning change, so it does not go before the Planning and Zoning Board or the City Council. It is simply a building permit. We are not able to legally deny a building permit if the applicant meets all development regulations and state laws. Our understanding at this time is that the business in question is not considered a SOB (sexually oriented business) and therefore, is not breaking any city ordinances. Also, the City does not regulate liquor licenses – rather the TABC does. We are investigating whether the location will be in violation of any laws given its proximity to the high school.

We will continue to monitor the situation as our scope of jurisdiction permits.

Question:
Why doesn't the City stop using the flashing yellow arrows after the crash that killed a motorcyclist recently? No other city uses them. Is it about money?
Answer:
There are several points that I would like to share in regard to your comments.
-The Tyler Police Chief has reported that the investigation has revealed that the traffic signal had no bearing on the accident. The driver understood what she was supposed to do at the signal. She yielded, looked for oncoming traffic, and upon seeing none, proceeded through the intersection. Unfortunately, she simply did not see the motorcycle who had the right of way. The result would not have been any different if the signal had been a permissive green ball, which is what the flashing yellow arrows replaced.

-Many other cities are utilizing this signal type. Cities such as San Antonio, Garland, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Houston, Waco, etc. have begun installing the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals because a seven year Federal study showed them to be ultimately safer than a traditional permissive green ball and traffic progression is improved through their use. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (the industry-wide regulatory handbook) lists this signal type and the state equivalent will be adding this in the next version.
-Locally, we have gathered data on the first 14 of our signals that we converted. The data shows that not only have the number of crashes not increased, but they have actually decreased by 8%. Before we had flashing yellow arrows, we had t-bone crashes that resulted from a failure to yield the right-of-way. We feel that the new signals have improved the situation; however, drivers must still exercise caution and look for oncoming traffic before turning left.

-Tyler has gone beyond the requirements of the national guidelines and installed a sign at each intersection with a FYA that guides the drivers in understanding them.

Please be assured that choosing to cease use of the signals has absolutely nothing to do with financial considerations. We simply believe, given the data and facts available to us, that they are safer than a permissive green ball and assist in managing the traffic flow through the city.