Celina mayor talks holiday decorations, traffic safety changes, and 2026 plans on Spectrum

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Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel joined Spectrum with host Kevin Sandler to talk about the holiday season in town, upcoming council action, and several major city projects moving into 2026.

Hazel said downtown decorations are up again this year, including the snowflake light displays on poles that were originally supported through fundraising efforts led by the late Harley Jones. He credited downtown merchants and local businesses across the community for adding holiday spirit throughout Celina.

One topic generating questions from residents is the return of no turn on red signs at several signalized intersections. Hazel explained the change is tied to safety concerns at what he described as protected intersections where drivers may have a green arrow while other traffic is still facing a red light. He said the signs were previously installed during earlier street reconstruction work but were not reinstalled later, and the city has documented crashes over the years related to drivers turning into the path of vehicles moving on green arrows. Hazel said staff has been asked to re analyze the intersections, noting the city understands the signs can feel like an annoyance at times, but the intent is safety.

Hazel also provided updates on current and future city projects. He said the new restroom facility at Westview Park is nearing completion, and the new public works facility is expected to begin moving operations in late January or early February. He noted the current public works building is being purchased by Celina City Schools for a future bus garage. Hazel also recapped the Mill Street project, which he said came in at about $3.8 million, with some final work expected in the spring. He added Sugar Street is being discussed as a major future effort but is more likely a 2027 project.

On street improvements, Hazel said the city has repaved or reconstructed about 62 percent of Celina streets over roughly the past 14 years. He said the city prioritizes work not only by street condition, but also by underground infrastructure needs, street length, and traffic volume.

Hazel also discussed the need to replace aging water lines along State Route 703, referencing multiple breaks last winter and ongoing coordination with other local jurisdictions on portions of the line outside the city owned section.

Looking ahead to city finances, Hazel said council was preparing for the final reading of the 2026 budget at the next council meeting. He said the overall budget is close to $59 million and includes significant engineering costs tied to an EPA required wastewater project and future fire station planning. Hazel said the city remains focused on transparency and balanced operations, while using reserved funds for major one time expenses.

He also noted leadership changes at City Hall, including newly elected treasurer Deb Sneddon and three incoming council members, Chris Dosick, Jeremy Eulenhage, and Steve Schulte. He also recognized retiring council members for their service.

With colder temperatures approaching, Hazel offered reminders to help prevent frozen pipes, including opening cabinet doors on exterior wall plumbing, allowing a small stream of water to run during extreme cold, and avoiding dangerous thawing methods like torches.

Celina City Council meets Monday night at 7 in council chambers, with a livestream available on the city’s public Facebook page. Hazel encouraged residents to reach out to council or city administration with questions or concerns, emphasizing the importance of community communication and safety.