By Megan Wehring
KYLE – Applications for the ad hoc committee to rename West Ranch to Market 150 will now be available for Kyle residents until Oct. 5.
With a 6-1 vote, the Kyle City Council approved a resolution at its Sept. 1 meeting to form an ad hoc committee to rename a portion of the road. Originally, the committee was to be composed of seven citizens and two staff liaisons.
At the Sept. 1 meeting, council member Dex Ellison said he was in favor of the committee so that Kyle residents have a voice in renaming the road.
“It’s about living in a community where everybody can feel welcome and not feel like perhaps you’re not wanted in that community,” Ellison said. “I hope residents do apply, participate and we can move forward with something that is inclusive and the community can be proud of.”
Eleven candidates applied to be a part of the committee by the original Sep. 14 deadline. The city council is looking to add even more members to create a diverse, represented group.
“I’m all for getting more citizens involved,” council member Robert Rizo said. “Because that’s what we have always strived for is citizen involvement, participation.”
While he is in favor of reopening the application for more candidates, Rizo questioned having too large of a group.
“I love the citizen participation,” Rizo said. “The more the merrier, it will be great. I just worry about it getting too big and maybe getting a little rowdy in a meeting.”
Council member Alex Villalobos suggested that the council allow the group to create its own direction and framework, depending on the size of the committee.
“If it gets any larger, we are going to have to allow them to pick their own structure who is chair and some other members of the committee,” Villalobos said. “So they can organize it and take some leadership role in that.”
Appointments to the naming committee will be made by the Kyle City Council at the Oct. 6 meeting.
