Page 42 - Benbrook FY20 Approved Budget

CITY OF BENBROOK 2019-20 ANNUAL BUDGET

The Benbrook Water Authority contracts with the City of Benbrook to repair street cuts for projects. This joint-effort insures that quality-control
measures are implemented and that the repairs are completed as expeditiously as possible.

The Council implemented fees charged to natural gas contractors for damages to Benbrook streets; the fees are designated for future road
repair projects. Transfers from this fund are designated for street repairs in 2017-18, 2018-19 and in 2019-20.

The Benbrook Boulevard Expansion Project broke ground in the summer of 2014; this project involves the stretch of Highway 377 spanning
from Winscott Road/Lakeway Drive north to the IH20/Loop 820 junction. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) project includes
the addition of a median and left turn signals across the approximately 1.3 miles of highway. The development is expected to improve
accessibility to businesses along Benbrook Boulevard and to encourage growth by creating more opportunity for businesses to thrive. This
economic growth is projected to result in community advancement, to create a brighter future for Benbrook, and to increase the quality of life
for current and for future generations.

The BEDC constructed two street extensions in the northeast quadrant of Winscott Road and I-20 to facilitate access to the Hawkins Business
Center and to open portions of the Edwards trust property for development. The project included the extension of Benbrook Parkway from
its current terminus in the Benbrook Industrial Park southward to the I-20 frontage road, and the extension of Winbrook Drive eastward from
its current terminus to Hawkins Center Drive. As part of the street construction, the EDC installed the necessary associated infrastructure,
including the water and sewer lines at no cost to the Benbrook Water Authority. The City Council approved the BEDC project in May 2011.

In January 2015, the Council held public hearings on the use of CDBG funds in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Three projects were identified. City
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Staff applied for grant funds through Tarrant County. Benbrook was awarded $130,000 for the 41 CDBG year plus the use of $3,534
from previous CDBG projects. These funds are allocated to construct sidewalks 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.

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