Shenandoah City Council From left, Jean Teague, Michael McLeod, John Houston, Garry Watts, Gary Henson, and Darrell Frazier.[/caption]

Big decisions made in 2015

  • Mobility Shenandoah joined several municipalities and other agencies and partnered with the Houston-Galveston Area Council to develop a mobility plan. Public hearings were held during the process to engage residents and receive feedback, and to present the finished plan. Shenandoah also worked with Precinct 4 to plan a major north/south road extension from Hwy. 242 into the city limits and it was approved in the November bond referendum.

  • Renovation of City Park The City Park in Shenandoah underwent a $2.6 million renovation that vastly improved and updated the facility. An aging metal building was demolished, parking was expanded, and roundabout drop off areas were constructed. A pavilion with restrooms and an outdoor kitchen was added, along with a sprayground, new walking and jogging trails and a multiuse field. The City plans to add a toddler park this year for preschool-age children.

Top issues for 2016

  • Major planned development district The Shenandoah City Council approved a major planned development district on the east side of I-45 that will significantly grow the city’s tax base. The PDD will include the existing Sam Moon Shopping Center and extend to the south and east of the property. The future mixed-use development known as Metro Park will feature hotels, office, multifamily residential, dining, retail and entertainment, and will take an estimated five years to complete once construction begins.

  • Water issues A growing concern for the area is providing quality water to residents at an affordable cost. On Jan. 1, the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District regulations took effect that require a 30 percent reduction in traditional water sources. Shenandoah partnered with the city of Panorama Village and paid the capital costs to construct a well in Panorama Village to pump water from the Catahoula Aquifer as an alternate water source.

Meetings

The Shenandoah City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Shenandoah City Hall, 29955 I-45 N., Shenandoah. 281-298-5522, www.shenandoahtx.us

Coverage

Meeting agendas can be found on the city’s website, www.shenandoahtx.us.

Terms and compensation

The mayor and council are elected to two-year terms with no limits. Council members receive $409.09 per meeting.