Page 51 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

41 CDBG year plus the use of $3,534 from previous CDBG projects. These funds are allocated to construct sidewalks
st
on Bellaire Drive in 2015-16. Apartments surround Bellaire Drive and there are no sidewalks on this street. The City of
Fort Worth has a trailhead nearby that follows the Clear Fork of the Trinity River; there are also convenience stores and
similar businesses within walking distance of the apartments. The project includes construction of sidewalks on both
sides of the Bellaire Drive from Southwest Boulevard to Crosslands Road. The sidewalk is concrete construction and
five feet wide.

Environmental Improvements

Air quality is important to the City of Benbrook and positively impacts the appearance and well-being of the community
and Benbrook’s inhabitants. Council adopted an ordinance to prohibit smoking in public buildings; this ordinance
became effective in November 2006. However, Council granted a one-year exception for some facilities; this exception
period ended in November 2007. After this date, smoking is not allowed in any public building in Benbrook; a public
building is defined as any building that is not a private residence. In the fall of 2009 Council expanded the City’s no-
smoking policy to City parks. In 2013-14 the no-smoking policy was amended to include electronic cigarettes.

The 2018-19 Budget includes funds to conduct two household hazardous waste events in Benbrook. Citizens have the
opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials (paint, petroleum products, toxic materials, batteries, and other
hazardous waste) in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner. Benbrook coordinates with Fort Worth’s
Environmental Services Department to hold events in the spring and in the fall. For residents who are not able to
attend these events, vouchers are available at City Hall for Benbrook citizens to use at Fort Worth’s collection center.

The City sponsors and coordinates the Trinity Trash Bash each year. The Trash Bash is an annual clean-up event where
local volunteers pick up litter and debris from Benbrook Lake and park areas. Funds are available in the 2018-19 Budget
for this event in the fall of 2018.

In August 2008, the Benbrook City Council authorized Staff to proceed with the implementation of the Compassion
Based Code Compliance Program. No funds were directly allocated in the 2008-09 Budget for this program. The 2018-
19 Budget reflects the continuation of this program even though no funds are allocated from the General Fund. The
City’s Economic Development Director and the Code Compliance Officer provide Staff support for this volunteer-based
program that relies on donated supplies and services. Benbrook’s program is based on the “Beautiful Day” program
in San Jose, California and offers an alternative for the City to resolve code violations of physically and financially
incapable citizens in a more compassionate manner. The program mobilizes community volunteers and resources to
assist qualifying residents in site cleanups and repairs. City Staff serves to: identify and screen citizens, connect
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
50