|
These are old entries from the
main blog page
12-23-2009: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Maria and I would like to wish you a safe and joyous Christmas Holiday
Season (and Happy New year too)!
12-20-2009: City Council Meeting
12-21-2009
- There will be a Lewisville City Council Meeting on
12-21-2009.
Please look over the
Agenda. The
Agenda Short Version and the
Agenda Long Version with Backup Material.
I REALLY ask that you read ALL of this one. However, here are
a few items you grassroots watchdogs should at least read.
Please call me to discuss if you like:
- Open Workshop Session: If you are coming to the workshop session, it will start at 5:45 PM. The topic will be
"Naming Rights Evaluation by Convention, Sports and Leisure (CSL) Marketing
Group". This will be a presentation.
- Item 10: Tax Abatement: It is the last item on the Consent portion of the
Agenda (see pages 7, 74-93).
- Item 11: An Ordinance addressing the Day Laborer issues.
Agenda (see pages 9, 94-108). I think this a great
solution suggested by the Police Chief and City Staff.
- Item 12: Relating to Oil and Gas Ordinance.
Agenda (see pages 9, 109-113)
- Item 13: Relating to Lewisville Roadway Access
Management policy.
Agenda (see pages 10, 115-145)
- Workshop Video recording update (see entry for
10-31-2009): Since the City staff suggested recording
using different methods, the first attempt was a stationary camera.
Our last City Council Workshop Meeting was recorded on 12-07-2009.
I reviewed the Video and it was fine but the audio was mostly
non-existent. Let's see how the next test works out...
12-17-2009: Charter review denies
Term Limits as a recommendation to Council.
One of the Items that I wanted to introduce when I got
on the City Council was Term Limits which I firmly believe in. I
was wanting to do something similar to Carrollton, Denton, Frisco,
Grapevine, Highland Village, etc... there are plenty of examples
around. There are several ways to bring this topic up:
One, ask the Charter Review committee (which is
appointed by the City Council) to review the topic of term Limits and
recommend to a decision to council. The recommendation will
come up to a vote to accept or deny. I chose this route to take
hoping that these citizens would be in favor. I told the committee
that I would honor their decision.
Two, ask for a vote on it at a Council meeting.
Three, Start a signature drive for a voter referendum
so that it could be placed on the ballot on the next election.
This is something that I will leave for a grassroots group to accomplish
should they want to take on the task.
Last month I brought it up to the Charter Review
committee. They City Staff compiled information about term limits
which was fair enough. In today's meeting, we discussed Term
Limits and the consensus of the Charter Review committee members was
that they felt it was not necessary. They will be recommending
that there are no Term Limits.
12-11-2009: Debra Medina is in
Town! See her tonight.
I have been watching and listening to this Candidate
for Texas Governor. I went and listened to her speak today and she
also spent time with us afterward talking about the issues. I
still have some issues with some of her topics but she is the one that I
think that has a great chance to make a positive change for Texas.
She is mostly what I have been looking for in a candidate! Please visit
her website at
www.MedinaForTexas.com to read and watch her videos.
Please come listen to her speak live. The
following should be free to attend but bring a check book in case you
want to donate (no pressure):
- Date: Friday, December 11, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Ag Trading Post
Street: 14540 East Beltwood Pkwy, Suite 200
City/Town: Farmers Branch, TX
- Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Denton County Republican Assembly which meets at the
Lewisville Chamber of Commerce Meeting room.
Street: 551 N. Valley
City/Town: Lewisville, TX
12-04-2009:
- Holliday at the Hall (Christmas Holidays Celebration)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Lewisville, TX (Old town area near Main and Mill)
a wide range of free family events from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.
Click here for more information
- There is a City Council meeting on Monday 12-07-2009 at 7:00 PM.
The Open Workshop starts at 5:30 PM. Please try to make both.
Here are links to the Agenda:
12-02-2009: Meeting & Call to Action.
(See update in the
01-01-2010 entry)
I was in a meeting today at City Hall. We
met with Ice agents to talk about 287g and available programs. Those in
attendance were the Mayor, City Manager, Police Chief, Asst Police
Chief, and two ICE Agents. They stated that 287g has really been
redefined and is really no longer the 287g that I have been pushing for
- they recommended that we do not sign up for 287g at this time unless
we can dedicate an officer to their taskforce (something that we should
look at in the future as I think it will still be a benefit). The
recent 'cookie cutter' MOU from the current Obama administration made
287g program even more restrictive. Let me clarify - It was a very
good meeting! I am excited about the programs that were discussed.
They recommended that we get involved with some of the
ICE
programs that have the benefits of the original 287g program.
The ICE agents suggested that we look at the programs like Secure
Communities and Operation Community Shield. One of the benefits of
the Secure Communities program is the technology that is being used.
The computerized system (Fingerprint National Database) is a big part.
Chief Kerbow is already looking into the Secure Communities program and
will take part in a meeting about this topic in the next few weeks.
I am proud of Chief Kerbow for his efforts in getting involved with some
of these programs already.
Call to Action: Since my first
meeting as a City Council Member (7-6-2009), I have been working to get
the things done that I was elected to do. Now, it is your turn to
come show your support and get involved - come to the
City Council Meeting
- please save the date in your calendar and show up on 01-04-2010.
Be prepared to come to the Open Workshop (probably 6:00 PM) and the City
Council Meeting (7:00 PM, fill out a card before the meeting). Two
of the items will be on the agenda:
- E-verify requirement
for awarded City Contracts: Much like the Federal
Government requires Contractors to have E-verify. I have
submitted that I would like to use a similar ordinance like the
Mission Viejo, CA ordinance.
- ICE also has an E-Verify program called
IMAGE. By voluntarily participating in the IMAGE program,
companies can reduce unauthorized employment and the use of
fraudulent identity documents. The City Of Lewisville already uses
E-Verify for hiring new employees and this program is a way to
encourage other business to do the same.
- The 287g related
ICE ACCESS programs:
Secure Communities, Immigration
Cross-Designation (Title 8) - 287g Program,
Operation Community Shield are a few programs that are part of
the fourteen programs under ICE ACCESS.
The 287(g) program cross-designates local officers to enforce
immigration law as authorized through section 287(g) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act. NOTE: The 287g program
has been changing even more in 2009. The 287g program of 2010
will be quite different than the program has been in the past few
years. New programs that are basically sections and abilities
available from the original 287g are easier for communities to
adopt. For now, we need to look at
ICE
programs
and use as many as we can.
Secure Communities: A Comprehensive Plan to Identify and Remove
Criminal Aliens is a Department of Homeland Security initiative that
improves public safety by implementing a comprehensive, integrated
approach to identify and remove criminal aliens from the United
States.
Operation Community Shield: In February 2005, ICE began
Operation Community Shield, a national law enforcement initiative
that targets violent transnational street gangs through the use of
ICE's broad law enforcement powers, including the unique and
powerful authority to remove (deport) criminal aliens, including
illegal aliens and legal permanent resident aliens.
11-30-2009:
Here is a video of motivation about a man that did not quit...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcEx1FVEc_w
11-17-2009:
If you go to this web site, you can pick out a thank you card
and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is
currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it
will go to a member of the armed services. It is FREE
and it only takes a few seconds. Thanks for taking to time to
support our military!
http://www.letssaythanks.com
11-16-2009:
Get back up - Never give up. A message of encouragement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heKn4tQ_ivI
11-13-2009: I went to the spur
of the moment rally outside the office of Michael Burgess. It was
a counter protest to the protesters against Burgess. Basically, in
order to support Dr. Burgess. There were a lot more against
Obama's healthcare and to support Burgess' decision not to support the
current health plan that everyone is calling Obamacare.
Here are the photos...
11-11-2009
Here is a very interesting 7 page paper. "Dallas Would-Be Bomber
Hosam Smadi: The Case for 287(g) and Exit Tracking" By Janice
Kephart (Director of National Security Policy at the Center for
Immigration Studies). Also read the endnotes at
CIS
website version or
PDF copy.
11-09-2009
Christian Citizenship - For several years I have been
trying to get my fellow Christians involved in politics. I
kept hearing, "leave it in God's Hands." Since it has been
said that 'God helps those who help themselves', then
we need to rise up and get involved.
Click here for more...
11-06-2009
- It is just fun to do: This is a little difficult but can be done. It takes a few tries for sure. This is addictive....
TRY TO ENCIRCLE THE CAT WITHOUT LETTING IT GET OUT !
-
Click Here.
- Things are tough in Mexico:
Another Police chief murdered. We need to pray for that Country. If you have not signed up for the
Foreign Media
(M3) Report which is provided by the
National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers,
you can
Subscribe to the M3 Report by Email.
- Reforma, El Universal (both: Mexico City) 11/5/09
Just last Saturday, Juan Esparza, a Mexican Brigadier General and past escort
for two presidents, took over as “Secretary of Security”
[read: Police Chief] of the city of Garcia, a satellite
community of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Yesterday (Wed.) he and four
escorts were responding to an assistance call from the city’s mayor;
on the way, they were ambushed by a number of killers in other
vehicles. All five were killed in a torrent of assault rifle fire.
Some 200 shell casings were later found at the scene. Afterward, the
city’s mayor ordered the immediate relief from duty of all 70 city
policemen and an investigation into their activities surrounding the
killings. Military and state police took over law enforcement duties
in Garcia.
11-05-20099:
If you have not been to the NEW Lewisville
Railroad Park,
please go. Because Bennet Lane is still under construction at the park road intersection, the best way to get to it right now is via Hebron Parkway
and then north on the new Railroad Street.
11-04-2009:
- Texas Constitutional Amendments Election results - they all
passed - too bad.
- Next Election is the Texas
Primaries on March 2, 2010.
- Then the City and School Elections will be in May 2010.
Yes, I will be running again
- I do need your financial support. ( I hate begging - please
don't make me beg - grin).
- Then the General Election will be November 2010.
- DNA tests on cold-case rape kits:
570 KLIF's Jon-David Wells is staging a good old fashioned "bake
sale" Wednesday (11-04-2009) afternoon to raise money for the Dallas
Police Department. Seems the DPD doesn't have enough money to do DNA
tests on cold-case rape kits! 570 KLIF is raising money 2 ways to
help:
1) The bake sale at 1300 S. Lamar in downtown
Dallas Wednesday from 4p-7pm, and
2) by asking KLIF listeners to send Dallas
Police Chief David Kunkle a one dollar bill and a note to ask him to
re-start the rape kit testing.
If you want to join KLIF in helping the DPD send
your dollar to the Chief at 1400 S. Lamar St, Dallas, TX
75215...we sent our dollars yesterday...or join us and buy some
donuts Wednesday between 4pm and 7pm and we'll pass the cash along
to the DPD. Sexual assault victims are upset about the DPD's
suspension of cold case testing...and so is Jon-David Wells and the
570 KLIF staff. Join us and send the DPD a message!!!
10-31-2009:
- There will be a Lewisville City Council Meeting on 11-02-2009.
The Agenda is a short agenda. Please look over the
Agenda. The
Short Version and the
Long Version with Backup Material.
- At the Last City Council Meeting, Winston Edmondson spoke during
the Citizens Forum. He asked that the City Council consider
taping the Open Workshop meetings like the City Council Meetings are
taped and have them available online as well. As most of you
know, I went to these meetings for more than a year before I was
elected. I encouraged all of you to come to the Workshop
meetings because much of the discussion about the agenda items are
discussed there and then voted on in the taped City Council Meeting.
It was not on this agenda so I formally requested that it be on the
next agenda to be discussed in the Workshop meeting.
- If you have not signed up for the
Foreign Media
(M3) Report which is provided by the
National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers,
you can
Subscribe to the M3 Report by Email. The following is
about Juarez which is just across the border from El Paso...
Narco Terrorism is an important
issue...
- “Joint Operation Chihuahua” deemed a failure - Nineteen months after the start of Joint Operation Chihuahua [the assignment of more than a thousand military to assist civilian law enforcement agencies in the area], the state of Chihuahua Secretary of Public Security now says that the war against organized crime is being lost. Since the start of the program, 3,670 persons have been assassinated. This includes 127 members of law enforcement, who are considered at a disadvantage because of being outgunned. The 1,200 soldiers currently assisting in patrolling the streets of Juarez will remain there until December 31.
- El Diario (Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua) 10/29/09.
10-29-2009:
- Last week those on my blog email list got this message:
-
My wife, Maria the Jokester, sent me
this link…
I knew it was a joke and I still jumped out of my seat.
And yes, Maria laughed – a wonderful sound.
WARNING: Do not play if you have a weak heart…. Happy
Halloween!
http://stuff.pyzam.com/toys/tictacscare.swf
-
Since then, I have had a number of comments about it.
I was asked how bad it scared me??? Well, I screamed like
a little girl :-)
- The
TimberCreek Zero Energy House will be open to the public for
tours on the following weekends: Oct. 30th, Nov. 6th, Nov.
13th & Nov. 20th.
Hours of operation will be 11 - 4 Fridays & Saturdays and 1 - 5 on
Sundays.
Parking will be at the Westside Baptist Church located
at 900 W. Bellaire, Lewisville, TX. The church is located on the SW
corner of Edmonds and Bellaire. We will have a complimentary shuttle
bus that will provide transportation to and from the house.
NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PARKING AT THE HOUSE
For more information, see
http://www.timbercreekzeroenergyhouse.com
- Don't forget the events on
Saturday too:
10-23-2009: PUT IT IN THE CALENDAR!
- Keep Lewisville Beautiful Day Oct. 24 - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
On Oct. 19, the City of Lewisville City Council
approved a proclamation making Oct. 24 Keep Lewisville Beautiful
Day. In conjunction with the national effort of “Make A Difference
Day,” Keep Lewisville Beautiful will hold its annual daffodil bulb
planting on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until noon, along Fox, Edmonds,
Summit and at the Lewisville Senior Activity Center. Supplies will
be provided, as well as giving all participants a Keep Lewisville
Beautiful T-Shirt and a pizza and soda lunch at the end of the event
that will be held at the Memorial Park Recreation Center. The event
is sponsored by the City of Lewisville, Waste Management, Awin Waste
and Nest Floral Studios.
Keep Lewisville Beautiful, the number one environmental
organization in Lewisville, is committed to empowering the citizens
of Lewisville through education to take greater responsibility for
enhancing their community environment. KLB is an affiliate of Keep
Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
- FUN FOR THE FAMILY! Saturday, October 31, 2009 - a full day of
FREE FUN EVENTS!
- 2009 Community Showcase presented by First Choice Power
featuring the Medical Center of Lewisville's Health & Safety Fair
and the Raising Cane's Taste of Lewisville. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE TO ATTEND. Lewisville High School east parking lot entrance.
Get more information at
www.LewisvilleChamber.org
- Trunk Or Treat! Everyone's Welcome
Come see the decorated trunks and enjoy fun & Games. Free Hot Dogs, Nachos & Drinks.
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Parking lot of the Garden Ridge Church of Christ at Main and
Garden Ridge in Lewisville. Get more information at
www.gardenridge.org
- Spooktacular Trails Extravaganza - Lewisville’s Parks & Leisure Services will hold the Spooktacular
Trails Extravaganza on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the
Lake Park group picnic area, 100 E. Lake Park Road. The event is a
free opportunity for trick-or-treaters to gather candy in a safe,
outdoor environment. Local businesses will distribute candy to
children. Hayrides will be available, as well as concessions for a
minimal charge. Also featured will be carnival games, face painting,
a kid-friendly haunted maze and a cakewalk sponsored by the Girl
Scouts of America. Costume contests for different age groups begin
at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required for the costume contest.
Costume contestants will be limited to 50 per age group. Media contact: Recreation Specialist Monica Winters, 972.219.5061.
Get more information at
www.cityoflewisville.com
10-19-2009 - Lewisville City Council
meeting tonight - See the
Long Version of the Agenda for backup materials. Here are some
things that might be more interesting to those of you who are regular
visitors to this blog or on the email list.
My after meeting comments are now listed at the end of these two items.
If you have a question as to why I voted the way I did, please let me know. After
deliberation, I did not vote contrary to what staff had recommended on
any of the items on the agenda.
- WORKSHOP SESSION - 6:00 P.M. - See Item A and pages
10-15 of the
Long Version of the Agenda.
Item A. Discussion of Resolution Designating I35E as Liberty Freeway
as Presented by the City of Farmers Branch (requested by Mayor
Ueckert and Councilman Gorena).
- The purpose is to "recognize the sacrifices
that our military, past and present, have made to protect the
freedoms and liberties that make America great."
- On July 31, 2009, I sent an email to the City Manager and
copied to the Assistant City Managers, and City Attorney about a conversation that
I had with the Mayor from Farmer's Branch, Tim O'Hare,
concerning a great concept to make I35 north of 635 to be
designated as Liberty Freeway. Much like the section of
I30 called the Tom Landry
Highway.
I asked the City Manager to get some more
information on what we need to do for our section in Lewisville
so that we can present this to the council.
- In the months of August & September, I tried to get this to
move forward. On 9-22-2009, I asked that it be placed on the
agenda. It was mentioned to me that Our Mayor did receive
a letter from Tim O'Hare (dated 9-4-2009, See page 10 of the
Agenda) about the Liberty Freeway concept and that Farmers Branch
will be voting on a resolution for the Liberty Freeway on
09-15-2009 (was actually voted on 09-01-2009 at the
FB meeting).
- See page 11 of the
Agenda: October 14, 2009: The City Engineer gives an
update - here are two points to know:
- Farmers Branch adopted the resolution on 09-01-2009
- Carrollton Adopts a similar resolution and designates
the section of I-35 in Carrollton as part of the Liberty
Freeway on 10-06-2009.
- See page 12 of the
Agenda: An E-mail dated 09-09-2009. The Bottom of the
email states that an attachment was removed by me.... This
happens when an email is not forwarded. I just replied to
the sender and that version is the one you see used here.
There were a few emails going back and forth as we were
communicating. By this time, the attachment had been seen
by those on the original email anyway.
- See page 13 of the
Agenda: The Farmers Branch version of the resolution
that I want to adopt for Lewisville.
- See page 15 of the
Agenda: The Farmers Branch Version of the
Red-White-&-Blue sign topper. In Lewisville, it will have our
City Logo.
- AFTER MEETING COMMENTS: There
was some discussion by a few members of the council about not
doing this or changing to a different name or sign design.
I suggested that we put it on the agenda for a vote and stay
with this concept and design to continue what Farmers Branch and
Carrollton have started. I wish more citizens were present. This should be on the
Agenda for the next Council meeting.
- For those of you concerned about LISD... Item 8
will be something to look at... with the background material
starting on page 66.
Item 8: "Consideration of Two Variances to Lewisville City
Code, Chapter 6, Land Development, Section 6-144, Screening Between
Commercial and Residential Uses and Section 6-57(f), Three Party
Contracts relating to an Engineering Site Plan for LISD High School
South Requested by G&A Consultants; and Authorization for the City
Manager, or His Designee, to Execute the Three Party Contract."
- AFTER MEETING COMMENTS: There are
two parts to this.
- Part 1: The tubular fence to be a
chain link fence in the gully area of the drainage creek. I
did not see a problem with this as it is at the southern corner of
the east side of the property. To continue the tubular fence
would require extensive changes and a creation of an underground
drainage.
- Part 2: to allow simultaneous
construction of two phases. Everything will be built according
to ordinances.
10-15-2009 - November 3, 2009 TEXAS Constitutional Amendment Election.
Early voting by personal appearance starts October 19, 2009.
Click here for more...
10-14-2009 -
Gas Drilling - Lewisville residents
may have the same concerns as our neighbors to the west.. "Flower Mound grapples with firm's request to conduct seismic tests on town streets"
Read the Full article
On the immigration front - there are some things that I think you
should be aware of.... The following articles are from
http://www.fairus.org.
- Congress Kills Permanent Extension of E-Verify - According to a document prepared jointly by the House Appropriations
Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, the conferees turned
back the opportunity to permanently extend the E-Verify program and
instead included only a three-year extension of the program. Read
the full article
- DHS Weakens Immigration Detention System - DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Assistant Secretary John
Morton announced a series of new initiatives aimed at reforming the
system to detain deportable aliens. Several of these initiatives have
raised troubling issues and may actually undermine the enforcement of
federal immigration laws.
Read the full article
- Senate Rejects Immigration Amendments to Bill that Funds the Census
Bureau and DOJ - Last week, the Senate rejected two amendments related to immigration
during debate over the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill for
Fiscal Year 2010, which funds agencies like the Census Bureau and the
Department of Justice... Read
the full article
- ICE Forces Sheriff Joe to Sign Weakened 287(g) Agreement - Last week, multiple media reports revealed that ICE has forced
Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio to sign a weakened 287(g)
agreement. 287(g) is the federal program that allows ICE to train state
and local law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of federal
immigration laws...
Read the full article
- Senators Question Napolitano on Possible Reduction of Border Patrol
Agents - On October 6, eight senators sent a letter to DHS Secretary Janet
Napolitano, questioning her about media reports indicating that her
department was considering decreasing the number of Border Patrol agents
stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border in FY 2010.
Read the full article
- FAIR Pulls Back the Curtain on the Tactics of the Southern Poverty Law
Center (SPLC) - FAIR has published a "Guide to Understanding the Tactics of the
Southern Poverty Law Center in the Immigration Debate." The guide was
designed to help journalists better understand the unscrupulous methods
used by the SPLC to discredit organizations and to attack the American
people who support enforcing the immigration laws already on the
books...
Read
the full article
10-09-2009: Events and
announcements
- Fire Department schedules annual Open House
The Lewisville Fire Department will hold its annual
Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central
Fire Station, 188 N. Valley Parkway. Activities will include
demonstrations and displays, children’s activities, hot dogs,
popcorn, and special appearances by Life and Fire Safety (LAFS)
clowns. For information, please call 972.219.3580. Media
contact: LFD Division Chief Steve Carter, 972.219.3739
- Old Town Farmers Market extended through October 31.
The weekly Old Town Farmers Market has been extended
through October, adding four more weeks for local shoppers to visit
Old Town for fresh produce and other market items. Vendors have
stocked up on pumpkins, gourds and other fall favorites. The market
is open from 8 a.m. until sellout (about noon) each Saturday in
Wayne Ferguson Plaza, on the north side of Main Street at Poydras.
For information, call 972.219.3401. Media contact: Marketing
and Tourism Manager Jennifer Galante, 972.219.3710
-
The Actors Conservatory Theatre
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
October 9th - 18th, 2009
7:00 pm Friday & Saturday Nights
Matinees 2:00 pm Saturday & Sunday
10-04-2009: Lewisville City Council
Meeting Monday 10-05-2009 - The Agenda for 10-05-2009 -
Short Version and
Long Version with Backup Material.
- The Open Workshop Session starts at 6:00 PM. The Arts Center Design
will be the topic according to the agenda. There was no backup
material or slide presentation information included in the long
version of the agenda for the workshop on the Arts Center.
However, Item 12 (p. 10 of long agenda) does have reference to the
Arts Center. The background material for item 12 starts on
page 239 of the long version agenda.
If you cannot make it to the Meeting, please make a point to stop
by City Hall this week and visit the Denton County Veterans Memorial
that is in the Foyer. See the website at
http://www.dentoncountyfallensoldiers.com.
09-26-20099: Western Day Festival
today!
If you can make it to Old Town Lewisville today come
and enjoy the Western Day Festival. You can get more information and print your
FREE tickets from these websites at
www.SoundsOfLewisville.com
and www.CityOfLewisville.com.
09-21-2009: Lewisville City Council
After Meeting highlights - You can watch the
council meetings online. Please see the
Agenda
for 09-21-2009 for more information.
- Workshop (not video taped): About the Animal Shelter, if you were not present in the
Workshop, I stated that I like the larger facility for the
Animal Shelter and adoption center. The other two options did
not have employee lockers and showers which I feel is a must so that
employees can minimize exposing their families and pets to diseases
that they encounter in their job. I also suggested that the
showers be of fiberglass design instead of tile. The
fiberglass enclosures are not only less expensive but they are
easier to clean and easier to replace if needed. The Larger
facility is geared to be more of an adoption center and has a
clinical and retail appeal. There should be another meeting
before bids go out for construction. The money has been
planned to come from the reserves over the last few years to replace
the current 31 year old facility.
- The proclamation mentioned in my last entry on
09-18-2009 about the proclamation of
Appreciation and Support to the Family of Marine Lance Corporal
Brandon Lara, Recently Killed in Action. The Police Honor
Guard presented the colors. Other veterans were there and
presented a plaque also. It was a very moving event.
Our sympathy to the Family of Marine Lance Corporal Brandon Lara.
- Item #2 was about spending $41K on rolled sod to get the dog
park ready for opening next month. See
page 108 of the Agenda
for 09-21-2009. Due to delays beyond the
control of the contractor, the area was not able to get the hydra
mulch earlier this year. We had two basic choices: spend
$41K to apply
the rolled sod or leave the field as dirt until the hyrda mulch can
be applied next season. In other words, we would save $41K by
delaying it until spring and the field would not be covered with
grass until next spring unless something grew there in the meantime.
The council voted and approved to spend the $41K to apply the
rolled sod. I was the only vote against. It will look nice for
the grand opening though... Just saying...
- Item #8 was about approving and amending the fee schedule.
The discussion here was about the approved rate increase from the
Budget Workshop on 08-08-2009 where we
approved a 2.5% increase to cover expected increases. It was
discussed that after the budget workshop, Dallas adjusted the rate
increase to 1.5%, however, there are lines that are in need of
maintenance and repair and the 1% would help cover the expense.
After some discussion to leave it OR change the % to 1.5% or not...
The vote passed to leave it as it was at the Budget workshop with a
vote of 3 yes, to 2 no. I voted yes as the money will need to
be collected to cover the rate increase from Dallas and help pay for
some of the repairs that
are needed.
09-18-20099: Lewisville City Council Meeting -
Council Meeting Agenda for 09-21-2009. (Note:
As I read through the agenda, this entry may be updated.)
- Animal Shelter to be discussed at the OPEN Workshop meeting
on 09-21-2009. The Workshop session starts at 6:00 PM
in the meeting room by the elevator next to the Council Chambers at
City Hall.
The presentation will be on the proposed Options for Animal Adoption Center
and Shelter Facility. Please review the
Agenda for 09-21-2009 (65 MB) and review pages 9 through 101 of the
Agenda.
- Usually comments are not made from citizens during the open
workshops. Comments can be made in the VISITORS/CITIZENS FORUM
(Item D on the Agenda) during the Council meeting that starts at
7:00 PM.
- I would like to point out the proclamation of Appreciation and Support to the Family of Marine Lance
Corporal Brandon Lara, Recently Killed in Action. (See the proclamation on page 103 of this agenda.)
- Brandon Lara, the son of Shannon Martin of Lewisville, answered the
call of duty by enlisting in the United States Marine Corp and proudly and honorably donned the
uniform of his country; and,
- on Sunday, July 19, 2009, Lance Corporal Lara was killed in the
Anbar Province of Iraq while supporting combat operations; he was 20 years old
- ALSO, Please review other items on the agenda which concern the
budget.
09-14-2009: There is a
Lewisville City Council meeting tonight. There are the two versions of
the Agenda:
Short Agenda and the
Long Agenda (with backup material).
The minutes from the budget retreat
are
not on the City website. I had written a little about it on this
blog on 08-08-2009. The public hearing
for the budget
is item 3 and this is the time to speak up if you have a problem with
it.
- Item 3. Public Hearing: Consideration of the Proposed FY 2009-2010
Budget and Property Tax Rate.
- ADMINISTRATIVE COMMENTS:
In accordance with the City Charter, a public hearing is being
held on the proposed FY 2009-10 budget and property tax rate to
provide an opportunity for citizen comment. The proposed budget
includes changes made by Council at the budget workshop held on
August 8, 2009. A meeting to adopt the budget and tax rate is
scheduled for September 21, 2009.
- RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conduct the public hearing and give staff
direction.
08-21-2009:
- Lewisville City Council Called – Special Meeting: Discussion of Preliminary Concepts for
Old Town Transit-Oriented Development, Mill Street, and Old
Town Plaza. The Discussion is an open meeting. Download the
Agenda and the slide presentation. The PDF file ...,
CLICK HERE FOR
MORE ...
- Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
The City of Lewisville is partnering with the North
Texas Housing Coalition to bring a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
to the City on Friday, August 28th. Homeowners are encouraged to
attend if they are experiencing financial stress, are behind on
mortgage payments, would like to learn more about home retention
programs or are interested in meeting with a HUD-certified housing
counselor or with their mortgage servicer (call the number below to
see if your servicer is attending). A presentation on foreclosure
prevention will be offered followed by time for individual meetings.
The workshop continues into the evening for the convenience of
working families. If interested in discussing their own situation,
homeowners should bring their latest mortgage statement, two most
recent pay stubs, a bank statement and budget of monthly expenses.
- Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Lewisville Municipal Annex, Community Room
1197 W. Main St.
Lewisville TX 75067
- Preliminary list of participating lenders:
Bank of America, GMAC Rescap/ Homecomings Financial, American
Home Mortgage, Chase (Chase, EMC, WAMU), Wells Fargo, Viewpoint,
Saxon
- For more information and a list of participating lenders,
please call: The North Texas Housing Coalition at 214-540-6862
08-19-2009: I35E Expansion Meeting was held today.
I went to the meeting today about the I35
construction plans. Still no real concrete answers (a pun is
intended this time - why not). The next meeting may be October.
The answer to the most asked question of when... still the
same.... unsure because of delays.... Acquisition for land should
be around mid 2010. Construction maybe starting 2011. I did
hear a figure that is may cost $6.8 Billion to build from 635 to where
I35W and I35E meet. they do not have the money yet.
08-18-2009: NOTICE: Michael Burgess
General Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church
6101 Morriss Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
NOTE: Because the event is being held at a church, Congressman
Burgess reminds all those planning to attend to continue to be
respectful.
No signs will be allowed inside the building, but there will be a
designated area outside the entrances where people may display their
signage.
08-17-2009: City Council Meeting (Short
and
Long Agenda versions). You can
watch the meeting online.
The City Council meeting went quickly.
In the Workshop, we had two presentations: Discussion Regarding
Naming Rights Agreement and Discussion and Review of Trails Master Plan.
08-12-2009: Lewisville Trails
Master Plan Public Meeting (The following info is from the
City Manager Weekly update)
The City of Lewisville is in the process of conducting
a trails master plan study. The Trails Master Plan will be discussed at
the August 12th Park Board Meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m.
in the Glenmore Savage Community Room located in the Lewisville
Municipal Annex at 1197 W. Main St. (Next to the Lewisville Public
Library).
Trails and greenways positively impact individuals and
improve communities by providing not only recreation and transportation
opportunities, but also by influencing economic and community
development.
- Some of the many trails and greenways benefits include:
- making communities better places to live by preserving and
creating open spaces;
- encouraging physical fitness and healthy lifestyles;
- creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation and
non-motorized transportation;
- strengthening local economies;
- protecting the environment; and
- preserving culturally and historically valuable areas.
- The Goals of the Meeting will be to:
- Identify predominant user types
- Understand culture of use
- Acquire user preference relating to:
- Trail widths and material
- Trail character
- Identify primary routes
- Identify potential routes
- Identify access points / trail heads
- Identify key hazard areas and obstructions
- Identify key destinations
- Identify connections with adjacent cities and beyond
Update: I went to the meeting tonight. I do not know how the
City will pay for this. The Speaker mentioned grants but I
think the Citizens would like about 20+ more police officers on the
police force first.
08-11-2009: You’re Invited! Get to
Know Michael Williams Event (see
Invite)
Get to know ... Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams,
Candidate for United States Senate (website is
http://www.WilliamsForTexas.com)
- Lunch @ Hannah’s; 209 W. Hickory #101 in Denton, TX
- 8-25-09 @ Noon - - Lunch is on your own
- Please RSVP
araburn@texastopgun.com no later than 8/20
- A note about Michael Williams by John Gorena: There
are only a few politicians that I support and Michael Williams is
one of the few. When he announced that he was running for
Senate (Kay Bailey Hutchison's spot), I knew who I was voting for.
When I first met Mr. Williams, it was after a very pointed
speech about the issues. Williams calls it as it is. He
is not shy and he takes a stand on the issues (he chose a side).
He even puts his views on the issues in writing on his website at
http://www.WilliamsForTexas.com (click issues to see summaries).
08-08-2009: Budget Workshop Session
The newbies bring dessert. There were two
of us: Brenda Martin (Finance Director) and myself (newly elected
councilman). Brenda made cookies and I brought the Ice
Cream.
The meeting started at 9:00 AM per the
Agenda. We listened to the City Staff as they went
over the budget. I was disappointed that there were only 2 people
there that were not City Employees. There were several votes that
we did concerning the City budget. The following is what I
consider some key points of interest. They should be voted on in
the regular City Council meetings in September.
- Major Cuts and other changes to meet the budget: This
passed with a 3 to 2 vote. For: Gorena, Tierney and
Durham. Against: Watts and Thornhill.
The City Manger (CM) recommended the following items
that could be done in order to meet the budget or we could raise the
property tax. The jobs that were cut below were not filled and
they were on hold since last budget. The CM stated that we
could possibly get a half percent raise for the City Employees.
However, since the City salary is more than 3% below the average at
this time, we made a few more cuts like postponing purchases that
are not really needed at this time to get that up to 1%. Here
are a few of the items recommended:
- cut the 390K for corridor beautification (plants and trees for
major roads) - I do not think we really need to spend this money
on trees at this time.
- Animal control officer - on hold until we build the new
animal shelter.
- public street maintenance crew - Cut down to 1
- Civil Engineer - The I35 expansion will not be for another
2-3 years. We can wait on this for a year or two.
- Change the Atmos Energy Franchise Fee from 4% to 5% - Of the
15 cities surveyed in the area, 9 have already changed to 5%.
This will add an average 50 cents to gas bills.
- Computers and radios that can wait - The Fire and Police
Chiefs both stated that the radios are in good condition and
scheduled replacement can wait another year.
-
 Property Tax Rate not changed: Everyone voted to
not raise the property tax rate (tax rate
history click here). Yes, we have been paying more taxes every year.
This is because the tax rate is based on the appraised property to
reach the amount needed for the city budget.
Lewisville is
currently the second lowest tax rate of the sixteen cities surveyed
in the area. Grapevine is the only city that is lower. There
was some discussion that we could raise the tax rate from .44021 to
.46 which would be about $35/year more on average per household and
we could keep all the above items that were cut. I was not in
favor of raising the rate this year and several of those items could
wait.
The County rate and the LISD rate may change and we
will not know until they do so. Rumor has it that they will be
raised. The City Property tax rate may need to be raised next
year.
- Transfer money from the reserves of 390K for corridor
beautification. - Yes, this was the same item that we cut above.
This passed 4 to 1. I was the only one who voted NO on this
item for the same reason I mentioned above. Besides, I think
we need about 20+ more police officers and maybe some Fire/EMS for
the new fire station #8.
08-06-2009: Reminder and misc...
- The City of Lewisville Budget Workshop is this Saturday
at 9:00 AM.
The
Agenda is online. As stated on my
last post, your participation is encouraged. Please come
and listen to the presentations. From the preliminary budget
that you can see at the Library, there should be something about the
needed Animal Shelter.
On the Agenda you will see that Item 1 is going to be
most of the day. I do not see a time for citizens to speak
openly but that may be after 1e. If not, the next regular
council meeting will have an open forum in the agenda. Also,
the agenda has other dates of Monday thru Wednesday listed if
needed. It is not expected that we meet those days.
- Watch this: I thought this was interesting about
the Cash for Clunkers. The website is exposed by Glenn Beck
that when you accept the agreement you give up some rights...
Well Click here for the video.
- Citizen Police Academy: Registration is now open for the
Citizen Police Academy. The free 3-month 14-session
weekly program starts Sept. 10,
2009. See
the
LCPA FAQ
and have all your questions answered.
- I35 update: I went to the meeting today about
the I35 construction plans. I did not get any real concrete
answers (no pun intended). The next meeting is August 19, 2009. To answer
the most asked question of when... As of today....
unsure because of delays.... Acquisition for land should
be around mid 2010. Construction maybe starting 2011.
The Presentation in PDF format.
08-04-2009: Lewisville Update and notices
- Resident Participation Sought for 2009-10 Budget Process
(From the
August 2, 2009 City Manager Weekly Update).
Lewisville taxpayers will be able to participate in the
city’s 2009-10 budget process during a City Council workshop in
August before the budget and property tax rate are approved in
September. The City Manager submitted his proposed budget to City
Council on July 20. Copies are available for public viewing at the
Public Library (reference section on 2nd floor), 1197 W. Main
Street, and the City Secretary’s Office inside City Hall, 151 W.
Church Street.
A budget workshop will be held Aug. 8, 2009 starting
at 9:00 a.m. in the Glenmore Savage Community Room of the
Municipal Annex, 1197 W. Main Street. The
workshop is open to the public.
City Council will hold a public hearing on
the proposed budget during its regularly scheduled Sept. 14 meeting
at Lewisville City Hall, 151 W. Church Street. A second public
hearing -- required if the city rate exceeds a calculated rate as
set by Texas law -- would be held during the regularly scheduled
Sept. 21 City Council meeting. The council is expected to adopt the
budget and tax rate at a special called meeting on Sept. 28.
For more information on speaking at the budget public
hearing, call the City Secretary’s Office at 972.219.341
- My suggestion: Please take an
hour or three looking it over. The first section is a very
good summary and the following sections are the budget summary
by department. Please feel free to contact and let me know
your concerns. Thanks, John Gorena
- IH 35E Improvements: from IH 635 to US 380 -
Get the latest.
Stakeholder Meeting No. 7
August 6, 2009, 2:00 P.M.
Lewisville City Hall Council Chambers; 151 West Church St.;
Lewisville, Texas 75057.
|
