As the Dallas City Council gets back to work today, two updates. First up, the Quality of Life Committee has decided to corral so-called "urban rodeos" -- even though, at the moment, there's just the one, Rio Rodeo, at 704 S. Walton Walker Blvd., about which there's never been a single complaint. Used to be two, but Bachman Lake neighbors groused loud enough and had the permit pulled for Tierra Caliente Rodeo, which stampeded out to Hutchins following 35 311 and 911 calls. The city's done gone and written up a passel of guidelines for urban rodeos, 26 to be precise -- everything from vet needs to time limits to poop scoopin'. (Speaking of, this may be the most adorable council committee briefing ever -- an awwww on every page.)
Later today, the council's Transportation and Environment Committee follows this January tale involving private parking lot operators booting cars and considers regulating this "relatively new practice being employed by private parking lot operators to enforce payment in their lots." Why the need now? Says this afternoon's briefing:
- The City has received a growing number of complaints from patrons of pay parking lots regarding the use of vehicle immobilization devices
- Without state or local regulation, there is an increased opportunity for fraudulent and predatory practices that negatively impact the health and safety of the public
