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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Newsletter 10/90 • THE MAYOR 'S NEWSLETTER City of Euless Publication Special Edition October 1990 LETTER FROM THE MAYOR TO RESIDENTS Council Approves 7.9- Dear Fellow Euless Citizens: accepted by our Council for the 1990- Percent Tax Increase 91 budget year. Higher medical costs and a criti- Although it is only a short time ago While the Council struggled with cal need for city employee pay that you received a Mayor's Newslet- approving a tax increase, cost of raises prompted City Council ter, important issues facing our city maintaining Euless at a level of members to approve a 7.9-percent warrant a special edition. quality our residents expect and tax increase for next year's $23 As I'm sure all of you are aware,the deserve made an increase inevitable. million budget. city has been fighting proposed run- For us, a tax increase is not an easy The tax rate will increase from way 16/34 West, as presented in an pill to swallow, but it was a necessary 48.75 cents to 54.085 cents per expansion proposal by Dallas/Fort medicine. $100 assessed property valuation. Worth Airport. Residents will see a continued Residents with an $80,000 home In recent weeks the airport and commitment to quality service from will pay $42.67 more in property Federal Aviation Administration have the city. taxes in 1991 or$3.56 per month, released a long-awaited draft En- Inside this special edition,you will excluding homestead and senior vironmental Impact Statement. The learn about the uses of our Com- citizen's exemptions. FAA and airport scheduled public munity Betterment Fund and the im- Employees last received a raise hearings for formal replies to the portance of continued support for the in 1988. Last year,the city paid for DEIS. Citizen participation in these fund. higher insurance premiums to of- public hearings was extremely out- While the budget and runway is- fset employees not receiving pay standing. sues are complex and difficult, it is raises. All of this activity means a great our commitment to quality for Euless "I truly believe our employees deal to every Euless citizen. This residents that weighs most heavily on are giving citizens more than a newsletter discusses impacts and is- our minds. We all want Euless to be day's work for a day's pay," City sues surrounding the airport's the best city it can be, now and in the Manager Tom Hart said. "What it proposed expansion and its adverse future. boils down to is we are fortunate to effect on Euless and its residents. Sincere have a tremendously competent f Yet, the airport is only one of the u_- and hard-working staff in place. tough issues our City Council has We want to keep them." faced in the last month. A necessary This year, the city increased its tax increase for residents has been Mayor Harold D. Samuels Please see '91 Budget-Page 2 i " Your Tax Dol- © TRASH BAG POLICY cars at Work sign CHANGED' tells passers-by -' work crews are Beginning uQry 1,the city Jars w w making the most of Euless will no longer sell plas- of a sunny after- tic trash bags. noon. The city has discountinued 1AX 004, selling the bags because of cost. AID �p Meanwhile, if the city were to have continued AT WORK city street crews with the sale of these bags, the direct traffic price would have increased. away from road Other cities choosing to not " w EU S _ work at Aransas sell bags, include Richland Huls, and Midway North Richland Hills and Hurst. � Drive. Page 2 Community Betterment Fund Pays For Better Programs In Euless Often municipalities are faced donate 50 cents to the fund by ad- fund receives an average of more with too many needs and not ding it to their water bill payment. than$21,000 in donations. enough funds. On Oct. 1, the fund reflected an Some projects the fund has In 1981, the City Council dis- almost$22,000 balance. helped to pay for include:Lakewood covered a solution to funding some Some of the projects funded by Tennis Court; signalization for Mid- of those needs. the Community Betterment Fund way Park and State Highway 157; a Through the creation of the Com- for 1991 will include: remodeling of the Library; building munity Betterment Fund many of of Midway Park Recreation Center; the unfunded "extras" have been • Wilshire Hike and Bike Trail - and additional library books. paid for with voluntary donations. $3,000 For the last few months, Euless "Because city funds are always Parks and Recreation Board has limited and there were projects that • Beautify Euless Everyday and people wanted us to do, like Beautification Projects- $5,000 It$ (tile Betterment beautification,the Community Bet- terment Fund was founded,"Assis- Board and Commission Orienta- Fund)de V el o p m en t has tant City Manager Kay Godbey said. tion - $2,000 been a resounding suc- 'The fund allows us to have some • Library books - $5,000 cess." - Assistant City Manager money to be used for things not normally budgeted. Its develop- • 1 + 1 = 2 Program - $5,000 H. Kay Godbey ment has been a resounding suc- • Senior Citizens Center Remodel - worked with city staff in preparing cess." $15,000 the "1 + 1 = 2" program. At first the Council was unsure The program meshes volunteer if the fund would be accepted by the Since 1981, the fund has efforts and city staff,helping Euless citizenry. Time has shown that it is generated more than $235.000 in make its boldest statements to the more than accepted, it's used. revenue and paid for more than environment yet,Parks and Recrea- Each month, residents may $216,000 in projects. Each year the tion Board member Leon Hogg said. ❑ 1991 Budget Approved by "A good many of the cities in the Metroplex have experienced _> City COUnCII -Continued decreased property valuations this from Page One year," Hart said. "So did Euless. This meant that one penny of our F - share and employee's share for tax increase went just to get us back rising insurance costs and gave on equal footing with last year." �� r employees an average 5-percent Some of the items spawning an pay raise. increase include a new employee "Unfortunately, Euless is like pay plan-$357,000,increased debt every other company in America. service and health insurance costs Health costs are spiraling upward -$241,000; and funding for four for everyone," Hart said. 'The bot- firefighters hired at mid-year 1990 tom line is with added health costs, -$120,000. it's costing Euless more and our City officials added additional employees more." money - about $200,000 - to the Again this year decreased city's general fund for fighting a property value assessments made it proposed runway expansion at Dal- necessary to increase taxes and las/Fort Worth Airport. supplement the shortage. One cent Euless joined other Northeast of the tax increase went to put the Tarrant County municipalities in city's budget back at the same recognizing a need for pay in- revenue amount as last year. creases. North Richland Hills, Bed- Mayor Harold Samuels outlines four defects in the Draft Env Property valuations dropped by ford, Hurst and Haltom City all Sept. 244 about $20 million compared with recommended budgets that include tai Impact Study at the Sept. last year, according to Tarrant Ap- money for employee raises and Public hearing. praisal District calculations. benefits. See related stories Page 3, 4. =� Page 3 Runway Battle Heats Up As Euless Residents Take A More Vocal Stand Neighborhood rallies and heavily- misleading and deceptive analysis DEIS maps show the Bear Creek attended public meetings in the last and incorrect conclusions." area-with almost 200 homes-as an month reflect a Euless citizenry fed Some of those omissions include empty field.This is just one example up with Dallas/Fort Worth Airport's an understatement of the number of of the document's inaccuracy. proposed building of runways 16/34 aircraft taking off the new runways, Residents and city officials have West and East. exclusion of a detailed map showing expressed adamant opposition to the While supporters - among those locations of affected homeowners airport's evaluation of affected Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen and the and exclusion of an adequate mitiga- property in Euless. North Texas Commission - contend tion program for Euless residents. progress is necessary for all, if "in- Please see Runway-Page 4 convenient" for few, Euless public officials and residents are vowing to The following is a chronology of events March-Airport officials announce EIS keep up the fight. on the proposed expansion at Dal- to include east and west runways. "I think it's imperative that you las/Fort Worth International Airport. Second scoping meeting is in Coppell. tell people over and over again that May 23, 24-Public scoping meetings there is no certainty at all that the 1986 held in Euless and Grapevine. runway will be built,"said Eliot Cut- June 26-29-First series of public infor- ler, a Washington D.C., attorney the January-Federal Aviation Administra- mation sessions given in Euless, city hired to fight the runway. tion issues D/FW terminal forecast for Grapevine, Irving and Coppell. "...don't give up on the fundamental 1990 to 2005.This report predicts 1.057 Oct. 18, 19, 23, 24-Second series of issue, because WE are not going to million operations annually by 2005. PIS.. give up." November-D/FW Board begins November,December-Euless and Cutler's comments were made at Phase I of airport master plan update. Grapevine change zoning ordinances, a public meeting Aug. 21 at Midway requiring Council approval of airport Park Recreation Center. The near- 1987 expansion. capacity crowd - more than 700 April-Airport recommends relocation people - listened to Cutler and noise of American Airlines to west side. FAA 1990 consultant Andy Harris of Harris, revises the January 1986 traffic forecast February,March-Four cities ask FAA Miller, Miller and Hanson explain to 1.114 million operations a year. for extension on review of EIS from 30 the draft Environmental Impact May-Regional Metroplex Task Force to 90 days. Statement and the necessity for in- tells airport board to construct two new March-FAA grants extended review creased citizen involvement. runways-for commuter aircraft. period of 45 days for Draft EIS. FAA o "I urge you, please, get involved. September-Airport Board initiates allows additional 14 days after hearings You will have an impact," Cutler Phase II of its master plan update, for citizens to submit written comments. said. "If you're satisfied with the EIS, which includes studies for proposed April-Airport files suit asking state tell them(the airport and FAA)you're sites for runway expansion. judge to overturn zoning ordinances. happy with it. But if you're not, tell 1988 May-Neighboring cities file counter- them that the document and pro- suits, requesting Dallas and Fort Wcrth gram they proposed is not good March-Airport Board concludes there be parry to lawsuits. enough." is lower percentage of need for a July-State District Judge Bill Rhea The DEIS was released July 28 commuter runway and a larger need denies adding two cities to lawsuits. after a year delay.The six-inch doeu- for carrier runways. Board determines Draft EIS completed and released fcr ment has met with criticism, be- operations would be higher than FAA public review. cause of its alleged omission of key had shown- 1.2 million by 2010. August-Mitigation program dis- maps and information. June-FAA Task Force study shows tributed to homeowners in neighboring 1 Mayor Harold Samuels and a host four simultaneous approaches feasible cities. Euless has public meeting on of Euless residents repeatedly told at D/FW. DEIS and attracts more than 700 spec- Federal Aviation Administration and August-Phase II capacity analysis indi- tators. airport officials about the omissions cates two air carrier runways needed Sept. 18-D/FW releases advance at a Sept. 24 public hearing in by 2010. copies of updated master development Grapevine. plan. "This DEIS fails its fundamental 1989 Sept. 24-Airport and FAA sponsor purpose," Samuels said. 'The DEIS two simultaneous public hearings. is infected with four principal Feb. 21, 22-First public scoping meet- Oct. 9-Deadline for written comments defects. It has inaccurate informa- ings held in Coppell and Irving for an to be submitted to the FAA on DEIS tion, incomplete and missing data, Environmental Impact Statement. Cities have until end of October. ` gage 4 WIC Moved to New Mitigation Proposals Cited as Inadequate Location In October Through the diligent efforts of a Perhaps the most challenged por- viously, she never dealt with D/FW city department's employees,the WIC tion of the environmental impact Airport." (Women, Infants and Children) meet- statement process has been the two Huse, like other homeowners, ing area has been moved to a more mitigation proposals.The EIS is being stands to lose at least$15,000 on her suitable location. conducted by the Federal Aviation Ad- home. After an afternoon of painting and ministration and Dallas/Fort Worth Ten percent of the city's single cleaning, the Purchasing and Build- International Airport for a proposed family dwellings-or 834 homes-have ing Maintenance Department runway expansion at the airport. been targeted for mitigation. employees made WIC's new location a The most recent proposal was for Another mitigation proposal offered comfortable setting. The new loca- a"sales guarantee program," or SGP. includes an option for homeowners tion, 220 N. Sheppard, was one of The EIS states that homeowners can wanting to receive an"avigation ease- three city-owned houses. .relocate without incurring lengthy ment." Refurbishing of the house was delay and financial harm," if they opt The easement precludes that done by Linda Free, Genny Shipley, for the SGP. property owners receiving these ease- Reggie Cast, Gary Gerland, Sid Hyatt and Owen Durham - all city employees who came up with the idea of moving the center. Originally, the WIC meeting area was in the rear of the city's Administration building. ❑ Runway Battle- Continued Ft ES From Page 3 °'E E� Y OVER Wk Et 'THERE OVER HERE � • 'Only a portion of the affected Q homeowners have been included in AROUND the proposed mitigation plan," Samuels said. 'The other residents just'over the line'would receive noth- ing except a devalued home, with .. . . ,. noise and safety concerns, which no Black crepe paper and anti-airport signs added flavor to a public hearing one else would want to purchase." on the controversial proposed addition of runway 16/34 at Dallas/Fort In many cases,only a fence divides Worth Airport. affected homeowner from un- 'The mitigation offered to date is ments must sign an agreement stat- mitigated homeowner. Several noise far short of the money required for ing aircraft can fly overhead, they will contours not only split neighbor- hoods, but entire subdivisions. those folks (Euless homeowners) to not sue the airport and easement in- Another concern for city officials is move," Mayor Harold Samuels said. formation will be on the home stead the affect devalued property will have Many homeowners have said if deed for future purchasers. on the city's tax rolls. The Hurst-Eu- their home was to be purchased The proposed easement takes 25 less-Bedford and Grapevine-Col- today, they stand to lose between percent of the fair market value of a less-Byville school districts stand to lose $15,000 and$19,000. home. City officials and residents millions from the devalued property, "Again and again and again,we are repeatedly voiced opposition to this Samuels said. told how generous a deal it (sales proposal, because it decreases the 'The area affected will take mil- guarantee program) is," Euless home's property value, in turn, lions in taxable property values off the homeowner Regina Huse told Federal decreasing the amount of property tax city of Euless and two school districts' Aviation Administration and Dal- received each year. tax rolls,"he said. 'This decrease will las/Fort Worth Airport officials at a The easement requirements have to be supplemented by a tax Sept. 24 public hearing in Grapevine. specify 5 percent of the settlement go increase to the remaining property "Obviously, the airport uses a dif- to the homeowner in cash, the other owners. ferent dictionary than I do," she said. 20 percent goes to the lending institu- 'This means that even those not "My mother always told me that if you tion.That 20 percent will be placed in directly affected by noise or safety work hard and stay out of debt,no one an interest-drawing trust fund, with concerns will ultimately have to pay can take from you what is yours. Ob- set amounts applied to house pay- for the effects of proposed runway ments over a five-year period. 16/34 West." s Page 5 ❑ New Christmas Tree Sales Upcoming Months Quiet, But Active Permit Required ::1 Now that deadlines for citizen and After their review is completed Last month, the City Council ap- municipality replies to a Draft En- and submitted to the City Council, proved a requirement for temporary vironmental Impact Statement are the noise, legal and safety experts Christmas tree sales.This temporary fading away, the question foremost will release a replica of the DEIS, use permit must be requested no in everyone's mind has to be,'What's Kirsch said. later than November I of each year next?" "When that is released for and prior to using any property for Peter Kirsch, an attorney with everyone to study, everyone will get the temporary sale of Christmas Washington D.C.-based firm Cutler a good sense of the two sides (the trees. and Stanfield, said the next few airport and cities),"Kirsch said. Submit applications to the city's months will be officially quiet, but Release of this sudo-DEIS should Inspection Office. In order for the there will a lot going on politically. be in November 1990. Council to make a more informed Citizen meetings and rallies could Litigation will continue in the decision, an application, including continue in an unofficial manner, "discovery" phase until early 1991. the following information must be because "everything helps," Kirsch The city and its attorneys are expect- provided in the form of a letter and said. ing no rulings on the lawsuits until sketch of the site. Cutler and Stanfield, the law firm late winter, Kirsch said. The application must include hired by the city to fight Dallas/Fort The airport filed suit against the descriptions of the site, access Worth Airport's proposed runway ex- cities asking a state judge to overturn availability, parking, sale items, pansion, will be reviewing the zoning ordinances changed by Eu- structures, restrooms, sales area, Federal Aviation Administration's less, Grapevine and Irving in Novem- and signage. The application must revision of the DEIS which includes ber and December 1989. The also include proposed hours of citizen comments - in the next revamped ordinances require Coun- operation and a signed statement month. cil approval of airport expansion. from the property owner authorizing the applicant to use the property for tree sales. Applicants will be responsible for a obtaining all applicable permits re- quired by city codes, including any a necessary electrical permits, tent structure permits and special event sign permits. Fees for the certificate of occupancy and necessary permits ,y are due only after Council approval ' of the temporary use permit. Lai " .T ,21 I Th ow MOM Before heating season Firefighter Cody Delmere gives out a junior firefighter sticker. Helping have your chimney and children become familiar with a uniformed firefighter aids in fire emer gen- furnace taken care of! cies. Delmere was one of dozens of firefighters and police officers who gave demonstrations and talked about police and fire safety at Care Fair 1990 A prevention tip by your on Sept. 28 and 29 at NorthEast Mall in Hurst. FIRE DEPARTMENT Page 6 The C jpcomi- Leisure Faire '91 promises to be another fun-filled event to look for in EV., ' the spring. Last year's Leisure Faire brought in 7,500 spectators and hundreds of 1 vendors displaying everything from ANNU handcrafted pots to carefully sculpted exotic plants. CHRISTNIncluded in the Leisure Faire . - given in March by the city - will be the Third Annual How To Grow Lawn TREE • ' �' and Garden Show. The show is the i world's largest free lawn and garden show. • The January edition of the LIGHTING Mayor's Newistetter will give more information about Leisure Faire '91. The city is asking all residents to show their support for the 1990 CITY COMPLEX Texas Red Ribbon Campaign. The ♦•� campaign, which runs Oct. 21 201 N. ECTOR DRIVE • through 28, is sponsored by the Texans' War on Drugs Association. Show your support for a drug-free TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 27, 1990. 6:30 p.m. Texas by displaying a red ribbcn on your car or coat lapel. .tea 1, a i Af Linda Free gets her diabetes checked at the city's first Annual Employee Health Benefit Fair.The Fair,held September 14 at Midway Park Rec- reation Center gave about 200 employees a chance to learn about city health care programs. Everyone from podiatrists to fat technicians were on-hand to give advice and test for health status of employees. YOUR 1990 CITY COUNCIL aT, Harold D.Samuels Mayor IBob Eden Frank Douglas Mayor Pro Tem Place 1 I I' u.41 ; 9i 5 f � � Y Bobby Baker Mary Lib Saleh Peter Staks Place 3 Place 4 Place 5 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID EULESS, TX 76039 PERMIT NO. 28 201 North Ector Drive Euless, Texas 76039 817-685-1400