City Council Recap: October Highlights

Runaway Bay’s October City Council meeting was filled with thoughtful ideas, community appreciation, and updates across every board and department. Here’s a recap for residents who couldn’t attend.

Public Forum:

Jerry St. John of the Bay Church opened the evening by personally thanking Mayor Herman White for his professionalism and quick response to a difficult situation that recently arose at the church. He also invited everyone to join the Bay Church’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on November 23. Jerry encouraged continued collaboration between the church and city as they wish to move forward with their construction project.

Kay Fite spoke about her desire of reopening the Runaway Bay Golf Course as a full 18-hole facility. She also shared fun ideas for adding new recreational amenities, including pickleball courts and local food trucks.

David Springfield proposed lowering vendor fees for city events to help encourage more local participation. He praised how well our community groups including the GRBA, EDC, Fireworks Committee, and Fire Department have worked together on events like Smoke on the Water. His message to residents: get involved and volunteer! Great things happen when we all pitch in!

City Council Action Items:

• Jim Walters Road Repair: The Council approved using remaining project funds to complete repairs along Jim Walters Road.

• Parks & Recreation Appointment: Welcome to Susan Elsas, newly appointed to the Parks & Recreation Board!

• Retaining Wall / Property Deed: Council approved final documentation related to the retaining wall project and property deeds, keeping construction progress on track.

• Vendor Permit Fee Reduction: Vendor fees for City-sponsored events will be lowered to $50, making it easier for local businesses and artisans to join community events. Fees will go directly to the city for background checks and administrative processing.

Council Member & Department Updates

Todd Low – Parks & Recreation

Commended the dedicated volunteers who keep our parks looking beautiful. New upgrades include a grill and concrete pad at the Cricket Ridge Gazebo. Todd reminded residents that everyone on Parks and Rec is a volunteer, and no one is paid like in larger cities. Our progress is powered by community spirit!

Richard Griffin – Economic Development Corporation

Preparations for Smoke on the Water are moving right along, thanks to great collaboration among city boards and volunteers. The EDC continues to manage event funds and coordinate community participation.

Carolyn Moody – Cemetery Board

The next Cemetery Board Meeting will be held Thursday, October 23 at 6:00 PM at the Civic Center, where members will discuss ongoing maintenance and long-term planning for cemetery grounds.

Steve Holt – GRBA (Greater Runaway Bay Alliance)

Steve shared a full slate of community happenings:

• The sailboat logo restoration is complete.

•  Hwy 380 Trash Cleanup: November 1 at 9:00 AM, meet at the Civic Center - a great way to earn volunteer hours!

•  Chili Supper & Raffle: November 14, with raffle baskets and plenty of hometown fun.

•  Bingo Night: Sponsored by the Fireworks Committee.

• Golf Cart Parade: December 4 at 7:00 PM - lineup begins at the Civic Center!

Chris Petty (presented by Steve Reynolds) – Fire Department

The Fire Department responded to 21 calls this month: 16 medical, 3 grass fires, 1 fire investigation, and 1 stranded boater. Crews continue to train hard and serve with pride.

Mark your calendars: Annual Fire Department Fish Fry -November 15!

Steve Reynolds – Police Department

Officers issued 198 citations and warnings, primarily for code violations like overgrown grass. The department successfully closed several theft investigations following a recent search warrant. Scam reports have decreased, but residents are urged to stay alert and continue reporting suspicious activity.

Mayor Herman White – City Update

Mayor White announced that new electrical poles are being installed across the city, a key improvement that will help prevent outages and strengthen our power grid for future weather events.

He also shared the launch of an official city website: www.runawaybaybulletin.com - your new home for updates and community information. The mayor thanked residents for their patience as ONCOR Electric continues infrastructure upgrades throughout Runaway Bay.

In Closing

From infrastructure improvements to volunteer efforts, this month’s meeting reflected what makes Runaway Bay special. Stay tuned for more updates right here on the Runaway Bay Bulletin and don’t forget to mark your calendar for all the great events ahead!