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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Newsletter 10/89 �ur . "We're Building a Beautiful Tomorrow" VOL. 5, NO. 4 MAYOR'S NEWSLETTER OCTOBER, 1989 Letter from 1989-90 Fiscal Year the Mayor Budget Message Dear Fellow Euless Citizens: The city's 1989-1990 budget required a 2.75-cent increase in the municipal tax rate. The tax-rate increase, These are challenging times for the City of from 46 cents to 48.75 cents, will mean that the taxes Euless. We face adversity on the average-priced home in Euless will increase about from all sides. To the $1.29 a month. The city's 20 percent homestead north, we are engaged in exemption will be maintained, and no increases are an important fight to planned for water and sewer services. block the ill-advised While not an insignificant amount, the 3 percent construction of proposed Runway 16/34 West. To the increase could have been much higher if a lengthy south and west, we face severe drainage problems that review of city operations had not been undertaken and have led to the flooding of many of our citizens' cutbacks in city services and city staff made. homes. And in a move that affects all of us, a harsh Internal reorganizations in the municipal workforce budgetary picture forced your City Council to were implemented to economize, and the number of city reluctantly approve a small increase in the municipal tax employees was reduced from 253 to 237. rate. There is, however, some good news to relate to Recreation center hours were cut from 98 to 78 hours a you. week. Library hours also were trimmed from 52 to 45 It is with great pleasure that we announce that we are hours a week, but the necessity of closing the library extremely excited about the opening of the city's new for a full day was avoided. Recreation Center on Midway Road. It offers a wide See BUDGET on page 4 range of activities for all ages, and should be a source of pride for every Euless citizen, young, old and in between. proposed Runway 16/34 West We have hired a coordinator for senior citizen activities The proposal by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport j who welcomes all our older citizens to participate in to build a new runway on the west side of the airport such activities as bingo, walking, blood pressure checks, has raised a storm of protest from neighborhing cities. exercises and much more. If you have any questions In the Cit of Euless, opposition to the proposed about the program, call 685-1671. runway, which would be located directly north of As your mayor, I know only too well that it takes a Fuller-Wiser Road, developed quickly and strongly. well-informed citizenry to deal with the problems that The Runway, known as Runway 16/34 West, represents See MAYOR on page 5 a modifidation of the airport master plan that Euless and other neighborhing cities used to guide their own development in areas next to airport property. INSIDE . . . The Euless City Council is opposed to the runway because of the negative impact it would pose for the city and its residents. Flooding and Drainage (Morrisdale) . . . . . . . . . .2 Among the chief concerns that city officials have about Runway 16/34 West: Ambulance Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . Noise — Noise levels in all parts of the city would Drainage in Euless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 increase, affecting property values and interfering with outdoor activities. Volunteers 2 • Safety — A large portion of the city, much of it residential property, would be located in the direct path of Runway Public Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 aircraft landing and taking off from Runway 16/34 West. • Pollution — The Metroplex currently is under EPA City Council Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 mandates to bring down air pollution levels. Runway 16/34 West will only add to such problems. Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Page • Economics — The loss of tax base and property Telephone List . . . . . . . . . devaluations because of noise and safety concerns will p Back Page negatively affect all Euless residents. See RUNWAY on page 3 Public Hearing on Surlphur City Addressing Drainage Needs Branch (Morrisdale Addition) The spring rains of 1989 vividly demonstrated the city's Flooding and Drainage long-standing drainage problems, particularly in the Morrisdale neighborhood and all along the Sulfur Branch The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public area where many homes were flooded. hearing regarding flooding and storm drainage in the The city staff now is engaged in studying long-range Sulphur Branch (Morrisdale Addition) area of Euless. drainage needs throughout the community. This much is This hearing will be held on Thursday, October 19, 1989, clear at the beginning: it will take millions of dollars and at 7:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 201 North Ector Drive. Please plan to attend if many years to solve all of the problems. you have any interest or concern regarding this subject. One of the solutions being considered is creation of a drainage utility district that would spread the burden of drainage projects evenly throughout the community. The focus of immediate concern is the drainage problems Ambulance Service in South Euless, where homes are flooding on a fairly The City of Euless has been providing ambulance service regular basis. The problem, of course, is not a new one, to its citizens since September 1, 1988. For Euless but it has grown worse as extensive development has residents, this has meant lower fees for the vital service occurred in other communities upstream. than those charged by private companies under contract The city has applied for a grant from the U.S. Army to the city. Corps of Engineers to help pay for drainage Since taking over the service, the city's two ambulances— improvements along the Sulfur Branch. This grant, if operated by the Fire Department—have made 999 EMS approved, would require the city to contribute certain calls, averaging 91 calls each month. Response time—an funds to the project. But City Manager Tom Hart important factor in judging the effectiveness of ambulance warned that it could "four or five years before the service—has been excellent since the city took over the project is funded, designed, built and completed." service, averaging 3 minutes and 12 seconds for each call. Both city ambulances are Mobile Intensive Care Units "This is not a quick solution," Mr. Hart said. "But if (MICUs) that provide advance life support. this grant is approved, it could save the city a million The Fire Department recently sent 12 of its personnel to dollars in the cost of the project." a paramedic class. All 12 graduated, bringing the number of state-certified paramedics in the department to 19. The remainder of the department holds emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Have You Been Thinking About Volunteering Your Time, Energy and Talents for a Sixth Worthwhile Cause? �,t, If your answer is "Yes!" or even "Maybe. . .," you'll be Annual ;^;: • pleased to know that the City of Euless has established SERVE, Service to Enlist Resident Volunteers in Euless! Christmas Our main goal is to recruit residents of all ages who are - willing to donate a few hours each week to some form of Tree ` t community involvement and, based on their particular •� interests, we'll put them in touch with the various Lighting organizations that so desperately need volunteer support. In addition, SERVE staff members will remain in contact with each volunteer to ensure that they are happy and satisfied with the position they've selected. There are no dues or fees involved . . . participation in SERVE is simple! To obtain further information, and to sign up as a volunteer, please call: CITY COMPLEX — © Evenings or Weekends 201 NORTH ECTOR DRIVE Mary DeWitt or Geoffrey Tait 817/283-9456 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1989, 6.30 P.M. Some of the City departments now seeking volunteer assistance include: the Euless Public Library, Parks & Recreation, City Administration, Main Street Volunteers, the BEE Committee, Sports Associations, Euless Walking 2 Club, B55 Senior Citizens . . . and more! RUNWAY continued Information about the task force and its activities can be obtained by calling 685-1436. In a recent policy statement, the City Council said it The next step in the Environmental Impact Statement considered the runway proposal a "breach of faith" with process is a public information session that has yet to be the city. Since the airport was built, city officials have scheduled. Such a meeting will be well publicized in local followed the airport master plan in approving growth and development in areas adjacent to the airport. newspapers. When a time and place is announced, attend the meeting and make your concerns known. Unlike the airport's existing runways, 16/34 West will not to things One of the simplest include large "clear zones" of airport-owned land at each P g oppose the runway is to end. Such clear zones originally were designed to reduce Write letters to your congressmen. Address such letters to: noise and safety concerns to surrounding communities. Dick Armey, 514 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Senator Phil Gramm, Room 370, It is such design features that have made the airport such Russell Building, Washington, DC 20510. Senator Lloyd a largely inobtrusive neighbor. The airport itself was Bentsen, Room 703, Hart Building, Washington, DC 20510. justly proud of its ability to contain its noise within the airport's "fence." If noise is a primary concern, send your comments to Jeffrey Bunting, Noise Compatibility Planner, ". . . The airport is large enough that airplanes are high Dallas/Fort International Airport, P.O. Box DFW, enough when they go over the fence that they do not D/FW Airport, Texas 75261. Telephone: 214-574-8776. become a serious noise problem to their neighbors. . . . Even short, handwritten letters can be effective. Here is a A major feature of the master plan, even in its ultimate sample letter: plan, is a significant amount of green space—space that will absorb a lot of airport noise so the airport will remain the good neighbor that it is today. Dear "It is an airport plan that we can live with because it is a I am writing to express my opposition to proposed good airport plan. But more importantly, it is an airport Runway 16/34 West at D/FW Internatioal Airport. plan that our neighbors can live with. We don't want them moving out because we are too noisy. We want them As a resident of Euless, I am concerned about . . . to stay where they are. We need them economically; but (List whatever is of most concern to you and your more important, we value their friendship." family. For instance, such things as safety, noise, Euless officials also recognize the contributions the pollution, property values and quality of life.) airport has made to the growth and economic well-being Please help save our neighborhood by expressing of the city. They, too, value the friendship between city your concern regarding this major airport master and airport. That's why they faithfully followed the plan change. airport plan—the plan so highly praised in "The Texas Sincerely, Connection"—in directing the growth of Euless. But when the airport deviated from its own master plan Your signature. and proposed to build a runway that would have serious detrimental affects on the city and its residents, that clearly was something that Euless officials could not live with. 4 «. One of the first things the city did was to begin working — - _ with a Runway Task Force made up of representatives of neighborhoods throughout Euless. During the past few weeks, task force members have met with FAA officials, Environmental Impact Statement consultants, airport planners and airport noise-compatibility specialists. In addition, task force members have gathered documents, maps and information to become familiar 5;L' ?39 1' with the possible impact of the runway and with the process of developing an Environmental Impact Statement, the results of which will determine whether � R construction of the runway can begin. A significant number of Euless citizens already have ,•1 -' expressed their concern about the proposed runway. More than 600 people attended a public information � i , session on June 27 at Trinity High School. Euless, in — fact, had the highest attendance at such meetings of the four cities most directly affected by the runway. An informed, active citizenry can make a difference. If you are opposed to Runway 16/34, or think you might be and want more information, there are several ways to et involved in the issue. Co ies of a report b the g P P Y PROPOSED RunwayTask Force, submitted to the Cit Council in Y , __ 16/34 WEST July, are available for review at the Euless Public Library RUNWAY in the Airport File and at City Hall. 3 Calendar of Events The Euless City Council holds its regular meetings on the November 23-24 — Thanksgiving Holiday — 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m., in the CITY HALL OFFICES CLOSED Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 201 North Ector Drive, Euless. Agendas are posted on the public bulletin November 28 — ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE board, located at the southwest entrance to the Municipal 6:30 p.m. LIGHTING Building. Euless City Complex The Euless Planning & Zoning Commission holds its 201 North Ector Drive regular meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each December 25 — Christmas Day — month at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Municipal CITY HALL OFFICES CLOSED Building, 201 North Ector Drive, Euless. Agendas are posted on the public bulletin board, located at the January 1, 1990 — New Year's Day — southwest entrance to the Municipal Building. CITY HALL OFFICES CLOSED City of Euless Telephone Directory EMERGENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Police — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1500 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1526 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1501 Fire/Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1520 Criminal Investigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1530 Administrative Services & Risk Management .685-1452 Jail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1560 !' Code Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1622 Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1550 Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1634 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1510 Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1420 Traffic Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1555 Emergency Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1573 Recreation — Midway Park Center . . . . . . . . .685-1660 Environmental Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1622 Parks & Recreation Information Line . . . .685-1668 Animal Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1620 Ruth Millican Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1675 ' Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1430 Simmons Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1670 Purchasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1440 Gymnasium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1666 Fire Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1600 Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283-3092 " Fire Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1635 Streets & Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1580 Fire Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1605 Water Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1470 Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1480 City Secretary's Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1434 Book Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1478 City Manager's Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1420 Municipal Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1460 Mayor & City Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1420 Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1650 City Offices & Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1400 Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1450 Metro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267-4403 Employment Opportunities Hotline . . . . . .685-1456 City Hall FAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(817) 685-1416 Planning, Engineering and Zoning . . . . . . . . . .685-1624 Police Department FAX. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(817) 685-1505 60 -z "We're Building a Beautiful Tomorrow" 6OF &UIC BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Euless,Texas 76039 Permit No. 28 201 N. Ector Drive • Euless, Texas 76039-3595 • 817/685-1400 • Metro 267-4403 BUDGET continued 38 cents, compared with Euless' 46 cents, its lax lev}�-was $6.35 million, compared with Euless' $4.96 million. A major reason for the tax increase was the continuing depressed state of the local real estate market, a trend In comparing taxes paid by Bedford and Euless citizens, mirrored throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the an even more interesting fact emerges. In Bedford, the state. taxes for a $100,000 home totaled $380 in 1988-1989. Meanwhile, in Euless, with a higher tax rate, the For instance, devaluations in local property required a 1988-1989 taxes were $368, significantly lower. (See Table one and one-half cent increase in the tax rate for the new C for the 1989-90 projected figures.) fiscal year just to produce the same amount of tax revenues collected in 1988-1989. TABLE C The 1989-1990 budget totals $20,166,715, a 2 percent PROPERTY TAX RATES increase over 1988-1989. Total expenditures in the (Projected 1989-1990) General Fund are projected at $11,327,274, an increase Euless Bedford Hurst of $487,960, or 5 percent. Home Value $69,533* $69,533 $69,533 The major increases in General Fund expenditures include: Homestead Exemption $13,907 - 0 - $13,907 • $200,000 — to fund city efforts to block construction Total Taxable $55,626 $69,533 $55,626 of proposed Runway 16/34 West, which Proposed Tax Rate** $0.4875 $0.40 $0.5396 would pose serious problems for all Euless Total Tax $278.13 $278.13 $300.16 citizens. If property values go down near the proposed runway, other areas of * Appraisal is the averaged price home in Euless according to Tarrant Appraisal District. Euless will be called upon to make up the **These are proposed tax rates, with adoption in late September. loss of tax revenue from that area. More property devaluations then would cause an Part of the reason, of course, is the homestead even larger tax increase, if built. exemption allowed to all homeowners in Euless. In • $ 50,000 — additional street maintenance. addition, it is important to remember that the average price of a home in Euless is $69,533. • $200,000 — personnel and salary package for city Euless is not the only city in the region in which taxes employees. will increase. Other communities face the same economic • $120,000 — health insurance increase for city employees. pressures and have raised their tax rates accordingly. The • $200,000 — city equipment replacement. pressure on municipal finances is not likely to diminish in coming years. While comparisons with surrounding cities can sometimes City Manager Tom Hart said several city services will be misleading, they also can be illuminating. In such need to be addressed strongly in the future. They include areas as delivery of city services, the city compares quite street construction and maintenance, and the vital areas favorably with its neighbors, exceeding, in some cases, of police, fire and ambulance service. the services provided in other communities. Additionally, Euless has comparable staffing with surrounding r communities, based on the number of citizens served per paid city employee. However, neighboring cities bring in significantly more Runway Public Meetings property taxes (Table A) and sales tax revenues (Table B) than does Euless. If you are interested in finding out more about the proposed construction of Runway 16/34 West, "stay tuned" for TABLE A details about an upcoming public information session. PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION The session, part of the Environmental Impact Statement Homestead Tax process, has yet to be scheduled. But the date, time and City Exemption Collection* location of the session will be carried in local newspapers. The city also will provide scheduling information on the Euless 20% $49947,670 Airport Task Force telephone line at 685-1436. Bedford 0070 5,920,000 You will be able to find out at the session how your Hurst 20076 6,190,000 particular neighborhood would be affected by the runway. TABLE B Noise contours, the areas where noise will be the loudest, SALES TAX COLLECTIONS and guidelines for proposed mitigation, or what the (Budgeted 1990) airport is willing to pay for the noise and inconvenience of the proposed runway, also should be available. City Sales Tax* A public hearing for this proposed runway is scheduled Euless $2,125,000 for Thursday, October 19, 1989, from 4 to 8 P.M., Bedford $29500,000 at Midway Park Recreation Center, 300 Midway Drive, Hurst $4,000,350 Euless. If you are interested in further information on *Tax collection figures are budgeted amounts for Fiscal Year 1989-1990. the issue watch for information that will be posted on the "Runway Bulletin Board," located at the southeast Consider a comparison with the city's closest neighbor, entrance to Building A (Administration Building) of the the City of Bedford. While Bedford's 1988-1989 tax rate was Euless City Complex, 201 North Ector Drive. 4 MAYOR continued have joined with other communities in opposing the face our city, and I hope that this newsletter will bring runway. On pages 1, 3 and 4, the city's efforts inopposing the runway are outlined. Find out what you you up to date on some of the pressing issues confronting can do to help. We need your support. us. I know how we use your tax dollars is of overriding interest. You will find a detailed explanation of the new We also are well aware of serious drainage problems in city budget on pages 1 and 4 of this newsletter. It will the Sulphur Branch area and elsewhere. While solving answer your questions about the necessity of a small tax these problems will take time, money and patience, we increase and illustrate some of the financial pressures that have begun to work toward some permanent solutions. are squeezing the budget. You can read about that project on page 2. 1 assure you that a tax increase was considered only after Finally, I am delighted to introduce to you two new the other Councilmembers and I were convinced of the Councilmembers, Mary Lib Saleh and Frank Douglass, lean, no-frills nature of the budget presented by the city both of whom took office following last spring's council staff. election. If you have not met them yet, please see below A reorganization of the city work force was done and the to find out more about them. total number of city employees reduced. Some reductions On behalf of Mary Lib and Frank, and my other council in city services were necessary, but they are minor in colleagues—Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Walker and nature and should pose no great inconvenience to our Councilmembers Ron Sternfels and Bob Eden—I want to citizens. This did not please us, but it was the best thank you—the citizens of Euless—for your continued alternative at this time. This rigorous process produced a support and understanding. And I can assure you that budget that will allow the city to continue to provide the your City Council will continue to keep you foremost in high level of services that you have a right to expect for mind as we plot a course for the future of our city. your tax dollars. Sincerely, q j Perhaps the most high-profile issue confronting Euless is the runway controversy at D/FW Airport. We believe proposed Runway 16/34 West would have a negative impact on the quality of life of Euless citizens and hurt Harold D. Samuels the future development of our city. For this reason, we Mayor i F COUNCIL PROFILES: !� Frank Douglass Mar Lib Saleh b w Y Frank Douglass, elected to the Mary Lib Saleh barely had time City Council, Place 1, last April, to take office as a newly elected ® says a lot of things have changed Place 4 Councilmember last spring since he served as a Councilmember when she was confronted with two from 1964-72. _ of the hottest issues in recent Euless "It has been a whole new learning history: runway construction at the process," Mr. Douglass said. "It r airport and city drainage problems. now requires more study time, lots Characteristically, however, she more study time, and more finesse. "How different is it? tackled them with zest and enthusiasm. It's like night and day." "This is a very exciting time to be on the City council," Mr. Douglass, who moved to Euless in 1959, has owned Mrs. Saleh said. "In some ways it is a devastating time. and operated the Euless Flower Shop at 218 N. Main for But it also is an awakening time for the city. Euless is 25 years. not just a bedroom community any more." During that time, he has served on virtually every Mrs. Saleh and her husband, Ray, have raised five municipal advisory board. Among other appointments, he children in their 25 years in Euless. She has always been was chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission and more than a homemaker. She holds a master's degree in a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Street- oriental flower arranging and conducts seminars on the Naming Committee and the Civil Service Commission. subject throughout the country. In addition, she is a He has been a member of the Euless Lion's Club since docent at the Japanese Gardens in Fort Worth. 1960. An avid amateur radio operator, he helped develop While her children were growing up, she was active in the city's Emergency Preparedness Program. local PTAs. Before her election to the Council, Mrs. Mr. Douglass and his wife, Dale, have a son, Cary, who Saleh served on the Parks and Recreation Board and on recently graduated from medical school and now is the Library Board. serving a residency in Connecticut. "Some people still think of Euless as a sleepy little "I enjoy serving on the council, working for the people," town," she said. "But we have so many things to face in he said. "I'm not one of those people who can go home coming years. Fortunately, we have a very dedicated and watch TV and feel like I've had a good day." council willing to put in the time to work for solutions. And we have very dedicated citizens who really care about their community." 5