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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Newsletter First Quarter 87 "We're Building a Beautiful Tomorrow" VOL. 3, NO. 1 MAYOR'S NEWSLETTER \A/ FIRST QUARTER, 1987 January, 1987 Dear Citizens, Another year has passed and we must prepare for the challenge and change that accompany each new year. Several challenges and changes expected for our city are highlighted in this edition of the Mayor's Newsletter. The betterment and beautification of Euless continues to be priority items for the Beautify Euless Everyday Committee. Plans by the BEE committee are currently underway to implement an anti-litter project that should be of interest to all citizens. Streamlining city services remains a constant challenge. At present, we are trying to create a more efficient delivery system with the addition of the Euless Alarm System. Euless has experienced numerous changes and challenges through the years, however, from all indications 1987 could prove to be a milestone. If our community is to thrive it must grow. One way to do this is to let businesses, tourists, and prospective citizens know what Euless has to offer. And there is no better time to start promoting Euless than now. Sincerely, O Harold Samuels Mayor FXA �� Youth Addresses City Council The City Council and community members attending the council meeting on September 9, 1986 were treated to a presentation by a youth of our city. John Baker, 14 years of age, was making his second appearance before a governing body in one week. He had previously gone before the Parks and Recreation Board to request the installation of a BMX track for bicycles and free-style skateboard ramp in Midway Park. The presentation demonstrated that city council meetings are in fact an open forum for all citizens and that each request is given due consideration. Mayor Harold Samuels pointed out that young Mr. Baker was to be commended for his interest in the youth of Euless. Baker demonstrated extraordinary poise and courage by standing up before a group of adults and addressing the Council. (Ed. Note — The following letter is the response offered by City Attorney Bob McFarland.) Mr. John Baker 418 Limestone Street Euless, TX 76039 Dear Mr. Baker: You recently appeared before the Euless City Council and suggested, I understand, that consideration be given to construction of a skateboard facility within a public park of the city. I further understand that you suggested that such facility be modeled after one currently operated by the City of Dallas in a public park in the Bachman Lake area. I am city attorney for the City of Euless,Texas. Following your presentation city officials asked that we look into the feasibility of such proposal. We have met with Dallas park department officials and determined that the Bachman Lake facility, though adja- cent to the City of Dallas' Bachman Park, is not a part of the park and is a private facility owned and operated by private individuals. The City of Dallas is in nowise involved in the skateboard facility. We have been unable to learn of any city which has constructed a skateboard facility. In checking with insurers of the City of Euless we are advised that liability insurance coverage for such a facility, should the City of Euless desire to construct one, would be extremely costly. Likewise, the number of personnel to properly monitor the use and safety at such a facility would be prohibitive. We have reviewed our findings with the Euless City Council. Because of the liability issue and the limited amount of funds available within the community for park purposes, they have chosen not to construct any facilities specially for skateboard use. Perhaps you could make contact with the individuals who own the private facility near Bachman Lake Park to determine if they would be interested in building such a facility in the Mid-Cities area. The Mayor asked that I write to you so that you might be informed of the Council's decision and the reasons therefore. The interest you have expressed in your city and its park development is commendable. It is unfortunate that decisions today must often be made on the question of liability. However,the payment of liability claims by a city comes from taxes levied on its citizens and the city council has a responsibility to assure that taxpayers'dollars be prudently and wisely expended for the best benefit of all its citizens. Good luck in your skateboarding. Please do be careful. In conducting our inquiries the Director of the Dallas Parks Department informed us that his son has become a very accomplished skateboarder, winning numerous honors. Despite wearing all of the safety and protective gear available, he recently sustained serious injuries while engaged in a skateboarding competition. If I or my office can provide any further assistance or explanation to you, please feel free to call on me. Y0 rs trul , eel Bob McFarland New Euless Alarm System Ordinance /n Place The Euless City Council has completed a study to determine the financial burden being placed on tax payers and city departments due to false alarms.The results of the study showed that the majority of the alarm calls received were false alarms.The study also showed that alarm calls have been increasing at a rapid rate. A secondary pro- blem caused by false alarms is the annoying signal of the alarm which remains intact even after the call has been determined to be of no consequence. The study has prompted the City Council to enact Ordinance 910, Euless Alarm System Ordinance, to the Euless Code of Ordinances. The new ordinance will be implemented on April 1, 1987 for businesses and multi-family dwellings and July 1, 1987 for all other alarm system users in the City. Ordinance areas of particular interest to Euless residents will be permit cost, penalties and allowable alarm systems. Users of alarm systems in operation prior to the implementation dates will be granted a permit at no cost. After the implementation dates a permit fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) will be required of new users. The Ordinance will also place the responsibility for cost on the user rather than the taxpayers. Except for ex- tenuating circumstances, the alarm user will be allowed four (4) false alarms within a twelve month period. After that the user will be charged a thirty dollar ($30.00) service fee for each false alarm. In response to the annoying signal problem the Ordinance will not allow alarm systems which have an audible signal of more than thirty (30) minutes after the initial signal or which activates a subsequent alarm if not reset. These excerpts are only a brief overview of Ordinance 910. The new ordinance will also provide guidelines for alarm systems, permit requirements; fees; alarm reporting and operations; service fees for false alarms; revoca- tion or denial of permit and appeals process; penalties and implementation dates. Inquiries about the Euless Alarm System Ordinance may be directed to Captain Richard Clark, ext. 156 at the Euless Police Department. (QO&QL� Committee To Clean Up On Main Street Beautify Euless Everyday Chairperson, Alice Ernest announced that the BEE committee will enter the Governor's Community Achievement Awards competition. The competition is sponsored by Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc., a state wide organization. Euless won the competition three (3) years ago for the city beautification campaign. Since then the competition emphasis has changed from beautification projects to litter reduction. In keeping with the new competition directive, the BEE committee recently initiated an Adopt-Main Street pro- gram. Tests were made on two (2) randomly selected 9 foot by 18 foot plots on North Main Street and South Main to determine the viability of the program. At 407 North Main litter collected consisted of 29 pieces of fast food litter, 8 bottles and 22 pieces of assorted litter. Litter at 110 South Main resulted in 24 pieces of fast food litter, 4 bottles and cans, and 17 pieces of assorted litter. The test sites were cleaned up and retested a month later. Results from the second test revealed a litter reduction in both parts of town. On North Main only 11 pieces of fast food litter, 5 pieces of assorted litter, and no cans or bottles were found. South Main also experienced a decrease in litter with 17 pieces of fast food litter, 1 bottle and 20 pieces of assorted litter. Survey results indicate that when an area is litter free it is more apt to remain in that condition. Plans call for the litter study to continue in order to measure the effectiveness of the new program. Eighty letters requesting support and cooperation were mailed to residents and businesses along Main Street by the BEE committee. The committee intends to follow up the letters with personal visits in the designated pilot areas. The Beautify Euless Everyday committee contends that the city will benefit from the anti-litter campaign by bringing recognition to Euless and the businesses along Main Street. "Euless can become a more beautiful litter free city if all the citizens work together. Let's not tolerate litter in Euless", said Alice Ernest. If anyone would like to get involved as a committee member or a Main Street partici- pant contact Alice Ernest at 283-0415 for more information. POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The City of Euless does not discriminate on the STATEMENT basis of handicapped status in the admission or access or treatment or employment in its The city of Euless does not discriminate on the programs or activities. City of Euless Director basis of race, color, national origin, sex, of Personnel, K. B. Fuller, has been designated religion, age, or handicapped status in employ- of coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimi- nation requirements contained in Section 51.55 of the revenue sharing regulations. t M_ __E CITY USA National Arbor Day Foundation • "We're Building a Beautiful Tomorrow" BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID EULESS, TEXAS 76039 PERMIT NO. 28 201 N. Ector Drive Euless, Texas 76039-3595 9 8171283-5381 0 Metro 267-4403