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Cedar Park recognizes its ‘Gambler Guns'

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Thursday's regularly scheduled Cedar Park City Council meeting began much the way the last meeting did - with proclamations, applause and standing ovations.

The meeting started with Mayor Pro Tem Scott Mitchell reading a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 1. Mark Juarez, associate pastor at Northwest Fellowship, accepted the proclamation and reminded everyone there will be a gathering at the Cedar Park Police Station from noon to 1 p.m. on May 1. Pastors and clergy members will be present at the gathering.

Jeff Queen was recognized for his 10 years of service with the Cedar Park Fire Department. Chief Chris Connealy said it's rare to have someone in the department for 10 years and there are only a couple of guys who have been there longer than Queen. Queen joined the department in 1998, was promoted to lieutenant in 1999 and became battalion chief in 2005. He also takes care of computer-related issues in the department.

The council took some time to introduce and welcome representatives of the 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division known as the “Gambler Guns,” the Fort Hood battalion adopted by the city in the adopt-a-brigade program in which Williamson County is participating.

Harold Dean, president of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, presented the leadership of the battalion with jerseys from Vista Ridge High School and Cedar Park High School, along with gift cards the soldiers can use. Place 2 Councilmember Mitch Fuller also gave the battalion leadership mementos from the city, including a Cedar Park hockey puck and a “Gambler Guns Blvd.” sign to hang in their quarters in Iraq.

Lt. Col. Kevin Vizzarri and the other officers of the battalion presented city council members with baseball caps, koozies and lapel pins along with the official “Gambler Guns” poster.

Place One Councilmember Matt Powell took a moment to thank the battalion members and wish them luck during their tour in Iraq. He also invited the families of battalion members to all Cedar Park events, including the July Fourth celebration. “They are Cedar Park residents while you guys are gone,” said Powell.

City Services Directory

The new City Services Directory was displayed at the meeting. Katherine Woerner, Cedar Park management analyst, said the directory is “more like an illustration, not to be a map” that shows different community services and events.

It illustrates “unique things about our community with identification of who to call when you maybe need that city service,” said Woerner.

The back of the directory page has a directory listed alphabetically and also includes different events coming up this summer.

The flier will go out in utility bills to residents from May 15 to June 12. Woerner said it will also be posted on the city website probably beginning next week. Once printed, the one-page directory will be available at city facilities and city events, beginning in mid-May.

Local artist Drew Johnson, from the Gemini School of Visual Arts and Communications located in Cedar Park, made the illustrations for the city directory.

Quick check on CPEC

John Frew said everything with the Cedar Park Event Center has “moved in a way that we're pleased with.” Frew also said that the project schedule the city approved is being followed.

“We're moving toward the construction phase at the start of June,” said Frew, who also said that action will begin showing on the site in the next few weeks.

Frew told the council everything with the project is going smoothly because “you've hired the best out there. Everyone is dedicated and focused on this project.”

Don Dethlefs of Sink, Combs, Dethlefs Architects gave a presentation to the council to give them an update on the site plan. “We're wrapping up our drawings and doing the final bid packages,” said Dethlefs.

The site plan as been updated to maximize parking and drainage ponds have been added to allow the site to drain. Dethlefs said “We're going to have a major entry off of New Hope” with landscaped medians and a monument sign as well the three entrances from U.S. Highway 183.

Briefly...

Michael Firth of Lott, Vernon & Company addressed the council on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the audit conducted on financial statements through Sept. 30, 2007. “Overall it was a really good experience auditing the city,” said Firth. He said there were very few issues and the city staff corrected them. Firth also said the auditors did not come across any numbers that were incorrect. ... A new communications and media relations policy will be coming before the council that will determine guidelines for providing information to the public and who is authorized to speak with the media. ... The council voted unanimously to pass resolutions to make agreements with Leander ISD and the Cedar Park Youth League to create a new facility behind Faubion Elementary. ... Councilmember Fuller presented the idea for a Wall of Honor at Veterans Park that will have a wall honoring those from the area who have been in service and given the ultimate sacrifice. ... Place 6 Councilmember Cobby Caputo was absent from the meeting.

E-mail jennifer@hillcountrynews.com

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