DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 9 & 10
SUBJECT:
Bridge Renaming Request
SUMMARY:
An ordinance naming a bridge on Jones Maltsberger Road, between Oakline Drive and Old Trail Drive, the “SFC David James Todd, Jr. Memorial Bridge”, located in Council Districts 9 and 10.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On March 5, 2018, District 10 Councilman Clayton H. Perry submitted a request to the City Clerk to begin the public process to name the bridge on Jones Maltsberger between Oakline Drive and Old Trail Drive to “SFC David James Todd, Jr. Bridge”. In the submission request, Councilman Perry noted his support for the bridge naming as initiated by Bridges for the Fallen and the Todd family. The purpose of naming the bridge would be to honor David Todd who served in the United States Army and was killed in the line of duty in 2008.
The bridge is located in Council Districts 9 and 10 near McAllister Park. Since moving to the Burning Tree subdivision in December 1980, David’s family frequently visited McAllister Park using the bridge crossing over Salado Creek which separates the residential area and park. David played Little League, learned to ride a bike, walked the nature trails, watched wildlife, played on the playground, and attended Easter Sunrise Service at McAllister Park.
As the years passed, David enlisted in the United States Army. When he came home on military leave, he would cross the bridge to visit McAllister Park which held so many memories. He also would create new memories such as volunteering his time and skills to a builder constructing a church near the park.
His ultimate service and sacrifice came on August 20, 2008. Sergeant First Class David James Todd, Jr., came to the aid of 12 soldiers during a fierce nine-hour battle in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan. SFC Todd organized a quick reaction force of American soldiers and recovered the soldiers through a barrage of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade impacts. SFC Todd was killed during the extraction of the soldiers in the city of Joy-I-Khawaja, just three kilometers south of the battle location. As result of his heroic military service, SFC Todd received the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal from the United States Army.
David’s family still lives in San Antonio and remembers their son on each of their frequent uses of the bridge.
The following summarizes the notification and outreach process facilitated by TCI upon receiving this request from the City Clerk.
Bridge Naming Committee Selected
- Mike Frisbie, P.E., Director/City Engineer, TCI
- Michael Shannon, P.E., C.B.O., Director, Development Services Department
- Dan Martin, Council District 9 Designated Committee Member
- Mary Todd and Mike Gallagher, District 10 Designated Committee Members
Community Input Meeting
- Held on April 25, 2018 at the City of San Antonio Northeast Service Center (Toolyard)
- 39 notices mailed on March 30, 2018 to property owners within a 200-foot radius of the intersections of Jones Maltsberger and Oakline Drive and Jones Maltsberger and Oak Trail Drive
- 2 meeting notice postings on social media platform Nextdoor to 992 neighborhoods in include nearby neighborhoods of North Central Thousand Oaks, Burning Tree, Legacy Oaks, Thousand Oaks Forest and Heritage Oaks
- 2 meeting notice postings on TCI Facebook and Twitter accounts
- No written responses were received in opposition or in favor
- 3 members of the community were in attendance with all 3 citizens in favor
Bridge Naming Committee Recommendation
- Unanimous recommendation to submit a Request for Council Action (RFCA) for bridge naming in honor of SFC David James Todd Bridge, Jr.
- Interdepartmental Memorandum sent by TCI to City Council and City Manager noting recommendation for RFCA at the June 14th, 2018 City Council A Session.
ISSUES:
This bridge naming will entail installation of two, ground-mounted signs placed on each end of the bridge on Jones Maltsberger between Oakline Drive and Old Trail Drive. The proposed 24” x 30” signs are incompliance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
The project costs for this action total $250.00. Staff has followed the naming procedures outlined in Chapter 6 of the City Code and all naming requirements have been met or may be waived through City Council action.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council’s decision to deny this request will effectively cause the identified bridge to remain unchanged.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The project costs for this action total $250.00 and will be funded by the FY 2018 TCI General Fund Budget for traffic signs. The costs include sign manufacture and installation. The placement of the two signs will be one placed on each end of the bridge located on Jones Maltsberger between Oakline Drive and Old Trail Drive.
RECOMMENDATION:
This proposed bridge naming meets the criteria of Chapter 6 Section 6-662(c)(3) of the City Code. Staff recommends approval of the proposed bridge naming of “SFC David James Todd Bridge” located on Jones Maltsberger between Oakline Drive and Old Trail Drive in Council Districts 9 and 10.