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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-12 Euless ArticlesDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE__l_OF_/ _ MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY SUTTER FREEMAN BROWN CRANOR ANIMAL CNTR McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL BARKER DATE DISTRIBUTED __ , /_1 ;;i-----'-/_l_f.p ___ DATEOFARTICLEQ/-. -tJov, ;l.,ol5"' NEWSPAPER/J. t:-. TiMe-S CHLAND HILLS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY POWERED REVITALIZATION (CPR) PROGRAM The City of Richland due to health issues or fixed Hills will be joining with incomes. If you would like Hurst, Bedford, Watauga, to fill out an application and Euless to participate in or know someone in your the 6 Stones' Community neighborhood who would Powered Revitalization benefit from the event ap- (CPR) program on Friday, plications are available in October 16th and Saturday, City Hall and on the city's October 17th. The CPR website at www.richland- program is a joint effort be-hills.com. tween 6 Stones and the five Volunteers, 12 years or cities, various businesses, older, are needed to help nonprofit organizations and paint, perform minor home churches to help struggling repairs, cleaning up yards homeowners make neces-and planting bushes and sary home repairs. flowers. Volunteers are This will be the second also needed on the morning CPR event Richland Hills of the event in helping de- will participate in this year. liver lunches, registration During the first event vol-at the event, handing out t- unteers worked on seven shirts and breakfast. homes in the city that need-Volunteers can work ei- ed different levels of repair ther Friday or Saturday or and painting. Lessons were both days if they would learned and weather played like. This is a great event a factor in work completed to help our neighbors who but the event was success-might not have the resourc- ful from both the perspec-es to help themselves at tive of the homeowners and this time. The intent is to the volunteers who donated improve the neighborhood their time. appearance while helping a Several homeown-neighbor. ers have submitted appli-If you have ques- cations requesting their tions you can contact the homes be considered for 6Stones/CPR office at 817- the CPR event in October. 868-7400 orvisittheirweb- The city is in need of more site at 6STONES.ORG/ applications from home-CPR. Or you can call the owners or families with Richland Hills Fire Chief's limited resources to main-office at 817-616-3755. tain their ards and homes Moody's assigns Aa2 to Euless's (TX) Series 2016 COs Global Credit Research - 16 Dec 2015 New York, December 16, 2015 -- Issue: Tax and Waterworks and Sewer System (Limited Pledge) Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2016; Rating: Aa2; Sale Amount: $16,580,000; Expected Sale Date: 01/12/2016; Rating Description: General Obligation Limited Tax Summary Rating Rationale Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aa2 rating to the City of Euless's, TX $16.6 million Certificates of Obligation, Series 2016. We maintain a Aa2 rating on $38.4 million in outstanding parity debt. The Aa2 reflects the city's favorable location within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, sizeable and growing tax base, solid financial performance and reserves, and manageable debt profile despite future issuance plans. Rating Outlook Outlooks are generally not assigned to local governments with this amount of debt outstanding. Factors that Could Lead to an Upgrade Substantial tax base expansion Significant increase in reserve levels Factors that Could Lead to a Downgrade Prolonged tax base contraction Trend of operating deficits reducing reserves and financial flexibility Legal Security The certificates are payable from a direct and continuing ad valorem tax levied within the limits prescribed by law on all taxable property within the city. Additionally, the certificates are payable from a limited pledge not to exceed $1,000 of the net revenues of the city's water and sewer system. Use of Proceeds The proceeds of the Series 2016 certificates will be used for various infrastructure improvements within the Midtown development. Obligor Profile Located equidistant from Dallas and Fort Worth, Euless incorporated in 1953 and covers 16.9 square miles. The city's population is estimated at 54,050 as of 2015. Methodology The principal methodology used in this rating was US Local Government General Obligation Debt published in January 2014. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. Regulatory Disclosures For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Sarah Jensen Lead Analyst Regional PFG Dallas Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Plaza Of The Americas 600 North Pearl St. Suite 2165 Dallas 75201 US JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Thomas Jacobs Additional Contact Municipal Supported Products JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 What’s happening in H-E-B Euless will take Christmas trees and turn them into mulch. Khampha Bouaphanh Star-Telegram archives City offices, schools closed for the Christmas holiday In observance of the Christmas holiday, city offices and the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district will be closed. Bedford: All nonessential city offices will be closed Thursday and Friday. Friday’s trash pickup will shift to Saturday. Hurst: All nonessential city offices and recreation, tennis and senior centers will be closed beginning at noon today through Friday. The Hurst Public Library will be closing at 2 p.m. today. Friday’s trash pickup will shift to Saturday. Euless: All nonessential city offices, including the library, family life center and animal shelter, will be closed Thursday and Friday. Texas Star Golf Course will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and closed Friday. Friday’s trash pickup will shift to Saturday. H-E-B schools: Schools close for the holiday/winter break on Monday, and classes resume on Jan. 4. Christmas tree recycling begins Saturday in Euless Euless officials are urging residents to recycle their Christmas trees instead of simply throwing them away. The city turns the trees into mulch and uses the mulch year-round to maintain city parks and medians. From Saturday through Jan. 8, residents may dispose of Christmas trees — please remove the ornaments and lights —at the Euless Family Life Aquatic Park parking lot, 300 W. Midway Drive. From 10 a..m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 9, the city will host a tree mulching demonstration and will give away bags of mulch and tree saplings to residents. Free hot dogs and drinks will be available for thosed participating in the recycling event. Information: 817-685-1650. Make a donation to Goodfellows to help those in need In these parts, holiday traditions include twinkly lights in the shape of longhorns, Santa on horseback and the Star-TelegramGoodfellow Fund. Become a part of the tradition by sending a check to Goodfellows, Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101. Or go online to goodfellowfund.com to make a credit card contribution. The fund uses contributions to provide gift cards for clothing and shoes to eligible schoolchildren. Unless you request anonymity, your gift will be recognized in the newspaper in coming weeks. Euless businesses preparing for Midtown Express construction SouthGate Constructors acquiring rights of way Construction starting in 2016 No date on when work will begin A map of the Midtown Express project area. drivemidtown.com BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com EULESS Businesses along the Airport Freeway corridor in Euless are gearing up for construction of the Midtown Express in 2016. A start date hasn’t been set, but SouthGate Constructors, the company that is handling the project, met this month with business leaders to discuss the construction and what it will mean. More meetings are planned. Midtown Express, an extension of the North Tarrant Express, will reconstruct Texas 183 from Industrial Boulevard to Interstate 35E in Dallas. One toll lane will be added in each direction. Matt Sanman, spokesman for SouthGate, said the company is acquiring the rights of way. There are about 30 properties, and the level of acquisition varies by location, he said. Around 10 businesses will be required to relocate, and SouthGate will provide assistance, he said. “We want to make sure that the businesses are well versed and that they are well taken care of,” he said. After the rights of way are acquired, then work can begin to move the utilities to make way for the project, he said. The biggest change is that the Main Street bridge will be demolished and replaced. That phase of the project won’t begin until 2017 and will take about a year and a half. Ron Tipton, president of the Euless Small Business Association, said he has heard about the project to widen Airport Freeway for 25 years. Now that it is a reality, he wants to make sure there is good communication among the businesses, the city and SouthGate. Tipton said some businesses are concerned about how people will get from south Euless to the northern part of the city once the bridge is gone. “It’s going to happen whether I like it or not,” he said. Tipton said his insurance business is on Texas 10 and traffic will increase dramatically because of the Midtown Express construction. Apartments being demolished to clear way for Midtown Euless 57-acre development features commercial and residential Developer working with Army Corps of Engineers on floodplain issue Location is south of Airport Freeway, near Texas 10 and Industrial Boulevard Run-down apartment complexes are demolished to make way for the Euless Midtown development at Texas 10 and Farm Road 157 in Euless on Thursday. Khampha Bouaphanh Star-Telegram BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com EULESS Demolition is underway on the three run-down, vacant apartment complexes along Texas 10 and Industrial Boulevard to make way for the Midtown Euless mixed-use development. Planning and Economic Development Director Mike Collins said the Shadow Creek, Concord House and Concord Terrace complexes will be demolished in the next several months. But it will take a while before commercial development starts because that area is in the floodplain. “The level of activity that we want to see isn’t going to happen overnight,” he said. The developer, Centurion Properties is working with the Army Corps of Engineers on the floodplain, which is a complex process because it involves relocating waterways that requires approval from the corps and Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said. The section of the development where town homes and single-family homes will be built is not in the floodplain, he said. Collins previously told the Star-Telegram that Midtown Euless is a “significant” development south of the Airport Freeway and a major step toward revitalizing the area. The boundaries of Midtown are east of Industrial Boulevard, north of Texas 10 and south of Airport Freeway. The 57-acre development will feature retail shops, restaurants and residential including urban lofts, town homes and villas. No commercial tenants have been named, Collins said. Besides the Midtown development, the 14-acre Oakcrest Estates with single-family and senior housing is also being built south of the Airport Freeway, and the two developments represent the largest private investment in that area in the last 25 years. The Midtown Euless project is also near the area where construction will take place to widen Airport Freeway. That project is called Midtown Express. Texas 10 and Airport Freeway will be the gateway in to the development. The area will also get a makeover with decorative light poles and landscaping, he said. U.S. Concrete is strongest local stock as energy shares slump with oil Shares of Quicksilver Resources lost all their value after the company filed for bankruptcy in March. Other energy stocks declined as drilling activity slowed with low oil and gas prices. Brandon Wade Star-Telegram The oil bust that pressured energy stocks nationwide took its toll on public energy companies based in Tarrant County last year. But we had our share of local winners in 2015 as well. A review of shares listed in the Star-Telegram’s Metroplex Stock Report shows that the year’s top performer was Euless-based U.S. Concrete (ticker: USCR), which turned in a gain of 85 percent to close the year at $52.66 a share. The operator of Redi-Mix has been a top-performing local stock each year since it moved its headquarters from Houston in 2012. In the first nine months of 2015, revenues at U.S. Concrete increased by 36 percent to $711.1 million and operating income grew by 58 percent to $58.6 million. Other winners among local stocks were Southlake-based Sabre (ticker: SABR), the travel technology company, up 38 percent to $27.97; Cash America (ticker: CSH), the Fort Worth-based pawnshop operator, which gained 32.4 percent to $29.95; Grand Prairie-based Six Flags Entertainment (ticker: SIX), up 27.3 percent to $54.94; and home builder D.R. Horton (ticker: DHI), which rose 26.7 percent to $32.03 as the housing market continued to gain strength. Horton also announced it will move its headquarters from Fort Worth to Arlington. On the downside, the biggest loser was Southlake-based Emerge Energy Services (ticker: EMES), whose shares shares plummeted 91.4 percent as the sharp decline in oil prices and drilling took a toll on its businesses, which include Superior Silica Holdings, a provider of sand and proppants used in fracking. From a high of $67.39 a share, it closed the year at $4.63. Other oil and gas shares that got hammered include Fort Worth’s Basic Energy Services (ticker: BAS), down 61.8 percent to $2.68, and Range Resources (ticker: RRC), off 54 percent to $24.61. Quicksilver Resources filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and recently told shareholders its stock is worthless. Also taking a big dive last year was Pier 1 Imports (ticker: PIR), off 66.9 percent to $5.09, which was forced to repeatedly trim its earnings guidance as it struggled with a shift in sales from brick-and-mortar stores to online channels. Euless firefighters remind about kitchen fire dangers Cooking-related fires are the leading causes of residential fires in the U.S. Don’t watch TV or let other things distract you when cooking Damage from a kitchen fire. Euless Fire Department BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com EULESS The doorbell rings while meat is browning on the stove. You turn away to answer it and forget about the meal preparation. Before you know it, the smoke alarm is beeping and it’s time to call the fire department. Last month, Euless firefighters fought two kitchen fires on the same day. The blazes were minor but easily could have been worse, said Ken Rawlinson, education coordinator and fire/arson investigator for the department. Cooking fires are the leading cause of residential fires in the U.S. and in Euless, he said. Rawlinson said cooking requires constant attention and people can easily become distracted. “We run in to unattended cooking fires when people are watching TV or breaking up a fight between their children,” he said. “People also put something on the stove and leave it on because they forgot an ingredient at the store,” Rawlinson said. In 2015, there were 24 cooking-related fires in Euless, causing an estimated $42,000 in damage, he said. If something is cooking on high heat, it can go from being completely normal to going up in flames in a few seconds. Cooking fires can range from grease fires to leaving something in the microwave for an extended time. Even when using a slow cooker or baking something in the oven requires watching the food closely, he said. Rawlinson suggested setting a timer on your cellphone and checking every 15 minutes. The cold weather also means people are using portable heaters or their fireplaces more often, he said. Rawlinson said it is important for people to have their fireplaces inspected by a chimney sweep or other professional. Elizabeth Campbell: 817-390-7696, @fwstliz Eyes on H-E-B: Valentine dances create special family memories The Euless Daddy-Daughter Dance in 2015. Courtesy photo BY FAYE REEDER freeder@star-telegram.com Parents in the H-E-B area wanting to do something special on Valentine’s Day with their children can establish a new family tradition at any of the city- sponsored parties planned for the annual day set aside to celebrate love. Capacity is limited at these parties, so tickets should be purchased in the next week or so to guarantee admission. In Euless, a Daddy-Daughter Valentine Dance is set for Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Family Life Senior Center, 300 W. Midway Drive. “This is a great event for dads, uncles or grandpas to make special memories with their special little girl. This is an event we look forward to because everyone has so much fun. We strongly encourage buying tickets early because we will sell out,” said spokeswoman Suzanne Hendrickson. The party features dancing, refreshments, goody bags and keepsake photos. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $5 per person and go on sale Jan. 15. Call 817-685- 1666 to make reservations. For families in Hurst, the Daddy and Daughter Valentine’s Ball is set for Feb. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hurst Recreation Center, 700 Mary Drive. According to the website, the ball is “requesting the presence of all princesses, ages 16 and under to … enjoy an afternoon of dancing, crafts, refreshments, and a photo to remember your day.” Only 250 tickets are sold, so make plans now to attend. Tickets are $15 per couple and $8 for each additional daughter. They are available beginning Monday at the office at the recreation center. Call 817-788-7320 for information. An event for dads and daughters and moms and sons is planned in Bedford for Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Boys Ranch Activity Center. Guests will enjoy dancing and delicious refreshments and will take home a flower and keepsake photo. The cost is $20 per couple or $12 per person, and tickets must be purchased in advance at the center, located at 2801 Forest Ridge Drive. No tickets will be sold at the door. Call 817-952-2323 to inquire. VOLUNTEERING AMONG TOP NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS It’s that time of year when people everywhere are resolving to make changes in their life for the new year ahead. The lists of resolutions vary widely, of course, but a few standouts appear over and over on many lists. Not surprisingly, doing things like exercising and making better food choices are part of the plan for a healthier 2016. Another standout choice is the decision to volunteer. If you are looking for a New Year’s resolution that benefits your community as well as yourself, then volunteering might be just the ticket. There are scores of possibilities to donate your time and talent to, but some good starting points to explore are the municipal volunteer programs in Hurst, Euless and Bedford. ▪ The Family of Volunteers program in Euless invites people of all ages to help with community events and initiatives. “If you would like to help build a strong community, play an important role in someone’s life and be a part of something exciting, then join our Family of Volunteers program,” writes Jerry Poteet, who is the volunteer and events coordinator. Contact Poteet at 817-685-1449 or jpoteet@eulesstx.gov. ▪ The Volunteers-In-Action program in Hurst has been active for more than 30 years and has the distinction of being the first municipal volunteer program to be recognized by the state. According to VIA coordinator Malaika Marion, volunteers have provided more than 475,000 hours totaling nearly $7 million in services to the Hurst community since 1979. The program has more than 130 active volunteers providing services in various city departments and 15 groups that work on special projects throughout the year. An online application is available at www.hursttx.gov (find the VIA link under the “Residents” menu). Applications can be filled out in person at the Community Services offices inside the library at 901 Precinct Line Road. To inquire, contact Marion at 817-788-7311 or mmarion@hursttx.gov. ▪ In Bedford volunteer services are utilized in the library and Police Department among others. Library volunteers can fill out an application online atgoo.gl/dAJTrl or contact volunteer coordinator Cynthia Reid at817-952- 2330 or Cynthia.Reid@bedfordtx.gov. The Bedford Police Department’s Volunteers In Police Service program “provides trained citizen volunteers who assist the department in police activities, enhance crime prevention and provide additional manpower to improve service to the community.” To inquire, contact volunteer coordinator Kim Brown at 817-952- 2473 or kim.brown@bedfordtx.gov. BUSINESS IN H-E-B FETED AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON Without healthy businesses, a community cannot thrive. How fortunate the H-E- B area is to have a healthy local economy fueled by successful companies that have chosen this area as the best place to do business. Celebrate the successes of local men and women in business along with the companies that call Hurst, Euless and Bedford home at the upcoming Awards Luncheon hosted by the H-E-B Chamber of Commerce. Set for Jan. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Texas Star Conference Center in Euless, the festive afternoon will celebrate the many accomplishments of chamber members, businesses and outstanding individuals. Presenting the awards and hosting the event will be Robert Earley, CEO of the JPS Health Network. Awards for the officer, director, member and ambassador of the year will be announced, along with the recipients of the Gertrude Tarpley Memorial Spirit Award, the Bill Ridgway Spirit of Enterprise Award and the HEB Community Service Award. The spotlight moment is the announcement of the Clyde Mooney Award, the chamber’s highest honor. Also revealed will be winner of the small, midsize and large businesses of the year. “The H-E-B chamber is fortunate to have so many outstanding volunteers and businesses that make what the organization does possible — advancing business and strengthening our community. It was a very difficult decision for the awards committee to select the 2015 recipients,” said chamber CEO Mary Frazior. Outgoing Chairman Michael Land will recognize outgoing board members, and new board Chairwoman Kimberly Ball will introduce the 2016 executive committee and board and outline plans for the year ahead. Tickets are $25 each and tables of eight are $500. To make reservations, call the chamber office at 817-283-1521. To see a complete list of award nominees, visit www.heb.org.